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
Enrollment
1,188
Student-Teacher
22:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Bellingham High School — Students at Bellingham High School score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 35.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 71.1% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (360) 676-6575
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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