Average
#325 of 381 private schools in WA
Cascades Montessori Middle
Middle School
2710 MCKENZIE AVE, Bellingham, WA 98225
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 25 schools in Bellingham. Learn more
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Bellingham
#9 of 9
public schools
Washington middle schools
#12 of 13
About Cascades Montessori Middle
Cascades Montessori Middle serves 31 students in grades 7-8 in Bellingham, Washington, offering an intimate educational environment with an exceptionally low 8.6:1 student-teacher ratio. This regular public school operates with 4 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring personalized attention for each middle schooler during these crucial developmental years. The school has earned a solid 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #142 out of 381 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 63rd percentile among Washington schools.
This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education within its small, close-knit community setting. Located at 2710 McKenzie Avenue in the 98225 ZIP code, the school serves a diverse neighborhood where 47% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, though the area also faces economic challenges with a 22.7% poverty rate. The surrounding community has a median household income of $61,679 and median home values of $531,200, reflecting the mixed economic landscape of this part of Bellingham.
With its Montessori approach and small size, Cascades Montessori Middle provides a unique middle school experience in Bellingham's small city environment, fostering individualized learning in a supportive community setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 31 students, Cascades Montessori Middle 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, Cascades Montessori Middle offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Cascades Montessori Middle operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $11,626
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $11,905
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.02x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 92%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $371,085
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 31 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Cascades Montessori Middle compares to 9 public schools serving similar grades in Bellingham, WA
Student Demographics
Nearby Middle Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cascades Montessori Middle (this school) | 5.1 |
| Bellingham Family Partnership Program | 3.1 |
| Fairhaven Middle School | 7.5 |
| Whatcom Co Detention Center | — |
| Whatcom Middle School | 5.6 |
| Kulshan Middle School | 8.1 |
| Visions (Seamar Youth Center) | — |
| Shuksan Middle School | 6.1 |
| Lummi Nation Tribal School | 7.7 |
| Meridian Parent Partnership Program | 6.0 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in WA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in WA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
2710 MCKENZIE AVE, Bellingham, WA 98225
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cascades Montessori Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Fairhaven Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whatcom Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Valley Elementary School Bellingham | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| BLUE HERON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bellingham | 0.5 mi | — |
| Sehome High School Bellingham | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| MONTESSORI AT SAMISH WOODS Bellingham | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Bellingham Family Partnership Program Bellingham | 0.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Lowell Elementary School Bellingham | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Fairhaven Middle School Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham | 1.7 mi | — |
| Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham | 2.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham | 2.4 mi | — |
| Bellingham High School Bellingham | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Options High School Bellingham | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Wade King Elementary School Bellingham | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Whatcom Middle School Bellingham | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham | 2.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham | 2.8 mi | — |
| CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Columbia Elementary School Bellingham | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
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 Cascades Montessori Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Palouse at Garfield Middle School Palouse, WA | 5.3 |
| SEATTLE JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL Seattle, WA | 6.0 |
| FIDDLEHEAD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Anacortes, WA | — |
| Garfield Middle School Garfield, WA | — |
| Lamont Middle School Lamont, WA | — |
| RIVERDAY SCHOOL Spokane, WA | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cascades Montessori Middle
What grades does Cascades Montessori Middle serve?
Cascades Montessori Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Cascades Montessori Middle?
Cascades Montessori Middle has an enrollment of approximately 31 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cascades Montessori Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Cascades Montessori Middle is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Cascades Montessori Middle rank in WA?
Cascades Montessori Middle is ranked #325 out of 381 private schools in WA.
What is Cascades Montessori Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Cascades Montessori Middle has a composite rating of 5.1 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.
Is Cascades Montessori Middle a private school?
Yes, Cascades Montessori Middle is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Cascades Montessori Middle a religious school?
No, Cascades Montessori Middle is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,115/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellingham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 31
- Gender Split
- 45% M / 55% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- WHATCOM
- Phone
- (360) 306-8723
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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