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Average

#1175 of 2,225 schools in WA

Bellingham High School

High School · Bellingham School District

2020 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

1,188

Student-Teacher

22:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellingham

#17 of 27

public schools

Washington high schools

#205 of 476

In district

#16 of 24

Bellingham School District

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Bellingham High School

Bellingham High School serves 1,188 students in grades 9-12 in Bellingham, Washington, with a student-teacher ratio of 22:1 and 54 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned strong recognition, ranking #310 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Washington high schools. The school's academic performance is particularly impressive, with a 9.3/10 academic score and 79% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.

Located at 2020 Cornwall Ave, the school draws from a diverse community in ZIP code 98225, where the median household income is $61,679 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects both educational achievement and economic challenges, with a median home value of $531,200 alongside a poverty rate of 22.7% among its 49,667 residents. With its solid 7.3/10 MySchoolScout rating, Bellingham High School demonstrates consistent academic excellence while serving a varied student population.

The school operates in the small city setting of Bellingham, providing students with both urban amenities and the close-knit community feel that characterizes this Pacific Northwest location.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Bellingham High School is 22:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.1%
Math vs. State Avg+3.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.9 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College Readiness9.4Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation29.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802

Bellingham High School — Students at Bellingham High School score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.8%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 77.6%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 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
52%
ELA
89%
2022
ELA
79%
2024
Math
35.2%
ELA
71.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.7/10.

How Bellingham High School Compares

See how Bellingham High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in WA
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Location

2020 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bellingham High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bellingham Re-Engagement Program (rated 6.0/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Options High School (rated 5.7/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 0.1 mi 8.4
Options High School Bellingham 0.1 mi 5.7
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 0.3 mi 7.9
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 0.3 mi
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 0.3 mi 5.6
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 0.6 mi 6.7
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 0.6 mi 6.0
Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham 0.8 mi 6.5
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 1.0 mi 8.2
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 0.9 mi 7.8
GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham 0.8 mi
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham 1.0 mi 6.5
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 1.2 mi
ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham 1.2 mi 6.9
THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham 1.3 mi 7.9
Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham 1.3 mi
BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham 1.5 mi 6.0
Sehome High School Bellingham 2.1 mi 5.5
Roosevelt Elementary School Bellingham 1.6 mi 6.3
Intergenerational High School Bellingham 2.1 mi 4.1

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 Bellingham High 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
Clover Park High School Lakewood, WA 6.3
Sequim Senior High Sequim, WA 6.3
North Central High School Spokane, WA 6.1
Chief Sealth International High School Seattle, WA 6.0
Evergreen High School Vancouver, WA 6.4
Fort Vancouver High School Vancouver, WA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bellingham High School

What grades does Bellingham High School serve?

Bellingham High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bellingham High School?

Bellingham High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,188 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bellingham High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bellingham High School is 22:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bellingham High School rank in WA?

Bellingham High School is ranked #1175 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Bellingham High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bellingham High School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Bellingham High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bellingham High School has 40.8% math proficiency and 77.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bellingham High School a charter school?

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

Is Bellingham High School a Title I school?

No, Bellingham High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bellingham High School?

36.6% of students at Bellingham High 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
91 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
54 Good Transit
Bike Score
92 Biker’s Paradise
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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,188
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
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
#16 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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