Very Good
#727 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 33% in state
Birchwood Elementary School
Elementary School · Bellingham School District
3200 Pinewood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bellingham
#13 of 27
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#577 of 1,202
In district
#12 of 24
Bellingham School District
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Birchwood Elementary School
Birchwood Elementary School in Bellingham, Washington is a regular public elementary school serving students from preschool through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 362 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, Birchwood offers personalized attention to help each child thrive. The school boasts 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting young learners.
Birchwood's academic performance currently ranks in the lower half of schools in Washington State, with room for improvement in areas like ELA and math proficiency. However, science scores stand out at 48% proficient or above, indicating strength in this subject area. The school is situated in a small city setting within Whatcom County, providing students with access to local amenities and resources.
Birchwood Elementary School is part of the vibrant community of Bellingham, where families can find support and engagement opportunities for their children's education and growth.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Birchwood Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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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 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.
How Birchwood Elementary School Compares
See how Birchwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 23.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32.2% (2024).
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 Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.1 |
| 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 | 4.1 |
| Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham | 1.3 mi | — |
| Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Cordata Elementary School Bellingham | 1.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Parkview Elementary School Bellingham | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
| Options High School Bellingham | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Birchwood Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Artz Fox Elementary Mabton, WA | 7.1 |
| Davenport Elementary Davenport, WA | 7.1 |
| Garfield Elementary School Everett, WA | 7.1 |
| Green Mountain Elementary Bremerton, WA | 7.1 |
| Lacamas Lake Elementary Camas, WA | 7.1 |
| Larson Heights Elementary Moses Lake, WA | 7.1 |
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 is ranked #727 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Birchwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Birchwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Birchwood Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Birchwood Elementary School has 24.3% math proficiency and 32.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 37 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 32 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 68 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,115/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellingham). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (360) 676-6466
- 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
- #12 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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