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Very Good

#374 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 17% in state

Alderwood Elementary School

Elementary School · Bellingham School District

3400 Hollywood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

282

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellingham

#5 of 27

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#329 of 1,202

In district

#5 of 24

Bellingham School District

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Alderwood Elementary School

Alderwood Elementary School is a regular public school located in Bellingham, Washington, within Whatcom County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 282 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, Alderwood offers personalized attention to its young learners.

Alderwood Elementary School’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it at the 52nd percentile among Washington state schools. Academically, the school scores a 3.1/10 with 44% of students proficient or above in science, 33% in reading and ELA, and 25% in math. While these numbers indicate there is room for academic growth, Alderwood focuses on student development and providing a supportive learning environment.

The school’s setting is in a mid-size suburb where families can find both the comfort of small-town living and access to urban amenities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.5%
Math vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802

Alderwood Elementary School — Students at Alderwood Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.2%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 33.2%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
ELA
32%
2024
Math
26%
ELA
32.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.

How Alderwood Elementary School Compares

See how Alderwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in WA
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

3400 Hollywood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alderwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham 1.1 mi
Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine 1.2 mi
Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham 1.0 mi 7.1
Shuksan Middle School Bellingham 1.1 mi 6.1
Cordata Elementary School Bellingham 1.9 mi 5.0
THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham 1.7 mi 7.9
Intergenerational High School Bellingham 1.7 mi 4.1
ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham 1.7 mi 6.9
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham 1.9 mi 6.5
GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham 2.1 mi
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 2.3 mi 6.0
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 2.3 mi 6.7
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 2.3 mi 8.2
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 2.5 mi 5.6
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 3.0 mi
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 2.7 mi
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 2.8 mi 8.4
Bellingham High School Bellingham 2.8 mi 6.2
Options High School Bellingham 3.0 mi 5.7
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 3.1 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98225 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,220

Median Home Value

$588,800

Median Rent

$1,430/mo

Population

50,355

College Educated

48.3%

Homeownership

41%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.3%

Median Age

32

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alderwood Elementary School has a median household income of $62,220. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $588,800, with a median rent of $1,430/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BERTSCHI SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.9
Columbia Elementary School Wenatchee, WA 7.9
Columbia Elementary School Woodland, WA 7.9
Creekside Elementary School Mead, WA 7.9
EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellevue, WA 7.9
Impact Public Schools Tacoma, WA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alderwood Elementary School

What grades does Alderwood Elementary School serve?

Alderwood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Alderwood Elementary School?

Alderwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 282 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alderwood Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Alderwood Elementary School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alderwood Elementary School rank in WA?

Alderwood Elementary School is ranked #374 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Alderwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alderwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alderwood Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alderwood Elementary School has 25.2% math proficiency and 33.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alderwood Elementary School a charter school?

No, Alderwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alderwood Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Alderwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alderwood Elementary School?

72.3% of students at Alderwood Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,115/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellingham). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
282
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Whatcom County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bellingham School District
District Enrollment
11,487
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,886
District Rank
#5 of 24

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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