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Below Average

#1756 of 2,228 schools in WA

Alderwood Elementary School

Elementary School · Bellingham School District

3400 Hollywood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

282

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,756 of 2,228

In Bellingham

#22 of 29

public schools

In district

#18 of 24

Bellingham School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Alderwood Elementary School

4.9/10

Elementary School in Bellingham · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Meridian Impact Re-engagement

Nearby

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Blaine Re-engagement

Nearby

1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Alderwood Elementary School

Alderwood Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Alderwood Elementary School serves approximately 282 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Alderwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,756 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Alderwood Elementary School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Alderwood Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.5% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,886
Chronic Absenteeism47.9%

Alderwood Elementary School — Students at Alderwood Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

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 38.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 43.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
27.9%
ELA
32%
2024
Math
26%
ELA
32.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.4/10.

How Alderwood Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
21th percentile in WA
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 notably higher. Another option is THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkview Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 4.5
Shuksan Middle School Bellingham 1.1 mi 5.1
Cordata Elementary School Bellingham 1.9 mi 2.9
THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham 1.7 mi 7.9
Intergenerational High School Bellingham 1.7 mi 3.4
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 8.1
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 2.3 mi 6.7
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 2.3 mi 7.2
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 6.6
Options High School Bellingham 3.0 mi 4.6
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ASSUMPTION PARISH SCHOOL Spokane, WA 4.9
Elger Bay Elementary Camano Island, WA 4.9
Lincoln Elementary Hoquiam, WA 4.9
Park Lodge Elementary School Lakewood, WA 4.9
ST ANNE SCHOOL Seattle, WA 4.9
Soap Lake Elementary Soap Lake, WA 4.9

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 ranks #1,756 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Alderwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alderwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alderwood Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Alderwood Elementary School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.9%

District

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

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