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#325 of 381 private schools in WA

Cascades Montessori Middle

Middle School

2710 MCKENZIE AVE, Bellingham, WA 98225

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Cascades Montessori Middle compares to 9 public schools serving similar grades in Bellingham, WA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
This School
vs
19:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
31
This School
vs
354
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.1
This School
vs
6.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 83.9% vs 0%
Asian 6.5% vs 0%
Black 3.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.2% vs 0%
Cascades Montessori Middle Bellingham Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,137.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 29%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 31
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)

White 83.9%
Asian 6.5%
Black 3.2%
Hispanic 3.2%
Two or More 3.2%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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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