Very Good
#519 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 23% in state
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Ferndale School District
P.O. Box 187, Ferndale, WA 98248
Enrollment
321
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
321
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#519 of 2,228
In Ferndale
#1 of 8
public schools
In district
#1 of 10
Ferndale School District
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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Central Elementary
Elementary School in Ferndale · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ferndale High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ferndale Virtual Academy
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Ferndale, WA, part of Ferndale School District. Central Elementary serves approximately 321 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #519 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- District avg 6.3
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
43% of students at Central Elementary 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
Central Elementary — Students at Central Elementary score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 8.2/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary 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
P.O. Box 187, Ferndale, WA 98248
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Custer Elem (rated 7.7/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Custer), with a very similar rating. Another option is Meridian Parent Partnership Program (rated 6.1/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Bellingham), a more accessible option. Additionally, Skyline Elementary School (rated 5.8/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ferndale, see our Ferndale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ferndale High School Ferndale | 0.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Ferndale Virtual Academy Ferndale | 0.5 mi | 4.2 |
| PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NW Ferndale | 0.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Ferndale Special Services Ferndale | 1.1 mi | — |
| FERNDALE RE-ENGAGEMENT Ferndale | 1.1 mi | — |
| Vista Middle School Ferndale | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Skyline Elementary School Ferndale | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Cascadia Elementary Ferndale | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Horizon Middle School Ferndale | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Custer Elem Custer | 5.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham | 5.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Cordata Elementary School Bellingham | 5.0 mi | 2.9 |
| Meridian Parent Partnership Program Bellingham | 4.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Meridian Special Programs Bellingham | 4.6 mi | — |
| Meridian High School Bellingham | 4.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham | 6.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Shuksan Middle School Bellingham | 6.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham | 6.6 mi | — |
| Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine | 6.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98248 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,566
Median Home Value
$550,300
Median Rent
$1,455/mo
Population
28,061
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
76.6%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
9.2%
Median Age
37.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Basin City Elem Connell, WA | 7.7 |
| Chimacum Elementary School Chimacum, WA | 7.7 |
| Custer Elem Custer, WA | 7.7 |
| EPIPHANY SCHOOL Seattle, WA | 7.7 |
| Edison Elementary School Tacoma, WA | 7.7 |
| Grainger Elementary Okanogan, WA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elementary
What grades does Central Elementary serve?
Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 321 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary rank in WA?
Central Elementary ranks #519 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Central Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary?
66.0% of students at Central Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 321
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Whatcom County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.7%
- Phone
- (360) 383-9600
Resources & Links
District
Ferndale School District- District Enrollment
- 4,643
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,722
- District Rank
- #1 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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