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Average

#1093 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 49% in state

Beach Elem

Elementary School · Ferndale School District

3786 Centerview Road, Lummi Island, WA 98262

Enrollment

38

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Washington elementary schools

#769 of 1,202

In district

#5 of 10

Ferndale School District

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Beach Elem

Beach Elem serves kindergarten through fifth grade students on Lummi Island, a rural community in Whatcom County, Washington. With just 38 students and three full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, creating an intimate learning environment where personalized attention is possible. Academically, Beach Elem ranks in the 77th percentile statewide, placing it #520 out of 2,261 Washington schools.

The school earned a MySchoolScout Rating of 7.1/10, with an academic score of 7.6/10. In math, 60% of students perform at or above proficiency levels, while reading and language arts show 52% proficiency or above across grade levels. These results suggest the school is establishing a solid foundation in core subjects while continuing to build student skills.

The small enrollment allows Beach Elem to function as a tight-knit school community where teachers can work closely with each child's individual needs. This size can be particularly beneficial for younger elementary students who benefit from smaller class settings and stronger teacher-student relationships. Located on Lummi Island near a town center, Beach Elem draws from a rural area with its own distinct character and community identity.

The island setting shapes the school's environment and the experiences available to its students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 38 students, Beach Elem is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Beach Elem may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60%
Math vs. State Avg+9.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.4 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,981

Beach Elem — Students at Beach Elem score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 59.8%
School
State
40.1%
ELA Proficiency 51.5%
School
State
50.6%

Based on 5 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2022
ELA
25%
2024
Math
50%
ELA
60%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.

How Beach Elem Compares

See how Beach Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in WA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

3786 Centerview Road, Lummi Island, WA 98262

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Beach Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Alderwood Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Bellingham), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lummi Nation Tribal School (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Bellingham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Skyline Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Ferndale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lummi Island, see our Lummi Island schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Lummi High School Bellingham 1.5 mi
Lummi Nation Tribal School Bellingham 1.5 mi 7.7
Horizon Middle School Ferndale 9.8 mi 5.3
Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale 9.9 mi 7.2
Central Elementary Ferndale 9.4 mi 5.9
Cascadia Elementary Ferndale 10.2 mi 4.5
Ferndale High School Ferndale 9.8 mi 5.7
Ferndale Virtual Academy Ferndale 9.8 mi 3.9
Vista Middle School Ferndale 10.1 mi 8.0
Ferndale Special Services Ferndale 10.1 mi
FERNDALE RE-ENGAGEMENT Ferndale 10.1 mi
Skyline Elementary School Ferndale 10.2 mi 7.7
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NW Ferndale 10.3 mi 3.5
Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham 8.2 mi 7.9
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham 8.4 mi
Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine 8.5 mi
Fairhaven Middle School Bellingham 8.4 mi 7.5
Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham 8.9 mi 7.1
Lowell Elementary School Bellingham 8.6 mi 6.0
Shuksan Middle School Bellingham 9.2 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98262 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,528

Median Home Value

$529,000

Population

1,020

College Educated

60.1%

Homeownership

90.6%

Poverty Rate

7.5%

Median Age

62.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Beach Elem has a median household income of $76,528. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $529,000. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
GLOBAL IDEA SCHOOL Kirkland, WA 6.4
SPOKANE VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Spokane Valley, WA 6.4
SKY VALLEY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Monroe, WA 6.5
TILDEN SCHOOL Seattle, WA 6.5
MATHEIA SCHOOL Seattle, WA 6.3
CYPRESS ADVENTIST SCHOOL Lynnwood, WA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Beach Elem

What grades does Beach Elem serve?

Beach Elem serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Beach Elem?

Beach Elem has an enrollment of approximately 38 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Beach Elem?

The student-teacher ratio at Beach Elem is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Beach Elem rank in WA?

Beach Elem is ranked #1093 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Beach Elem's MySchoolScout rating?

Beach Elem has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Beach Elem?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Beach Elem has 59.8% math proficiency and 51.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Beach Elem a charter school?

No, Beach Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Beach Elem a Title I school?

No, Beach Elem is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Beach Elem?

63.2% of students at Beach Elem 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

County Safety
Average (268/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Whatcom County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ferndale School District
District Enrollment
4,643
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,722
District Rank
#5 of 10

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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