Average
#1337 of 2,225 schools in WA
Central Elementary
Elementary School · Ferndale School District
P.O. Box 187, Ferndale, WA 98248
Enrollment
321
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
321
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ferndale
#4 of 8
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#880 of 1,202
In district
#6 of 10
Ferndale School District
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elementary
Central Elementary is a regular public school located in the mid-size suburb of Ferndale, Washington. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Central Elementary has an enrollment of 321 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout Rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it in the 51st percentile among Washington state schools based on its academic performance.
Academically, Central Elementary has an overall score of 5.0/10, with 43% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 46% in science, and 40% in math. While the school is working on improving its academic performance, it continues to focus on developing a strong educational foundation for each student. Central Elementary is situated in a community that values education and supports local schools as they strive to enhance their offerings and outcomes.
The school's setting within Ferndale provides students with a nurturing environment where they can grow academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 13 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: 4.2/10.
How Central Elementary Compares
See how Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 39% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 39.6% (2024).
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 8.7/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alderwood Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Bellingham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Skyline Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.7 |
| Ferndale Virtual Academy Ferndale | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| 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 | 8.0 |
| Skyline Elementary School Ferndale | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Cascadia Elementary Ferndale | 1.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Horizon Middle School Ferndale | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Custer Elem Custer | 5.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham | 5.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Cordata Elementary School Bellingham | 5.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Meridian Parent Partnership Program Bellingham | 4.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Meridian Special Programs Bellingham | 4.6 mi | — |
| Meridian High School Bellingham | 4.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham | 6.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Shuksan Middle School Bellingham | 6.2 mi | 6.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary has a median household income of $88,566. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $550,300, with a median rent of $1,455/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Wapato, WA | 5.9 |
| Barnes Elementary Kelso, WA | 5.9 |
| Garden Heights Elementary Moses Lake, WA | 5.9 |
| George C Marshall Elementary Vancouver, WA | 5.9 |
| Green Lake Elementary School Seattle, WA | 5.9 |
| HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL Edmonds, WA | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #1337 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary has 40.5% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,706/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ferndale). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (360) 383-9600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ferndale School District- District Enrollment
- 4,643
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,722
- District Rank
- #6 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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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