Below Average
#1905 of 2,228 schools in WA
Birchwood Elementary School
Elementary School · Bellingham School District
3200 Pinewood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,905 of 2,228
In Bellingham
#26 of 29
public schools
In district
#22 of 24
Bellingham School District
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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Birchwood Elementary School
Elementary School in Bellingham · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Shuksan Middle School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Blaine Re-engagement
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Birchwood Elementary School
Birchwood Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Birchwood Elementary School serves approximately 362 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Birchwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,905 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Birchwood Elementary School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 5.7
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
43% of students at Birchwood 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Birchwood Elementary School — Students at Birchwood Elementary School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 28 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: 3.6/10.
How Birchwood Elementary School Compares
See how Birchwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3200 Pinewood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Birchwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkview Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shuksan Middle School Bellingham | 0.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine | 0.7 mi | — |
| Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham | 0.7 mi | — |
| THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Columbia Elementary School Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Intergenerational High School Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham | 1.3 mi | — |
| Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Cordata Elementary School Bellingham | 1.8 mi | 2.9 |
| Parkview Elementary School Bellingham | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Whatcom Middle School Bellingham | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham | 1.9 mi | — |
| ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham | 2.4 mi | — |
| Bellingham High School Bellingham | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Options High School Bellingham | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham | 2.2 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 |
|---|---|
| Arlington Elementary Spokane, WA | 4.5 |
| Central Avenue Elementary Tacoma, WA | 4.5 |
| Hearthwood Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 4.5 |
| Image Elementary School Vancouver, WA | 4.5 |
| Madison Elementary Everett, WA | 4.5 |
| Neely O Brien Elementary School Kent, WA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Birchwood Elementary School
What grades does Birchwood Elementary School serve?
Birchwood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Birchwood Elementary School?
Birchwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 362 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Birchwood Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Birchwood Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Birchwood Elementary School rank in WA?
Birchwood Elementary School ranks #1,905 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Birchwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Birchwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Birchwood Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Birchwood Elementary School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Birchwood Elementary School a charter school?
No, Birchwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Birchwood Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Birchwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Birchwood Elementary School?
61.9% of students at Birchwood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 362
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Whatcom County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.8%
- Phone
- (360) 676-6466
Resources & Links
District
Bellingham School District- District Enrollment
- 11,487
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,886
- District Rank
- #22 of 24
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