Average
#1020 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 46% in state
Columbia Elementary School
Elementary School · Bellingham School District
2508 Utter St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#1,020 of 2,228
In Bellingham
#7 of 29
public schools
In district
#7 of 24
Bellingham School District
Equity
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Columbia Elementary School
Elementary School in Bellingham · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gardenview Montessori
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bellingham Re-engagement Program
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Columbia Elementary School
Columbia Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Columbia Elementary School serves approximately 210 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,020 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Columbia Elementary School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.5 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- WA avg 6.8
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Columbia Elementary School 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
Columbia Elementary School — Students at Columbia Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 34 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: 5.2/10.
How Columbia Elementary School Compares
See how Columbia Elementary School 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
2508 Utter St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbia Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkview Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham | 0.3 mi | — |
| Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham | 0.4 mi | 8.1 |
| THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham | 0.5 mi | 7.9 |
| ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Whatcom Middle School Bellingham | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Parkview Elementary School Bellingham | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham | 0.9 mi | — |
| Shuksan Middle School Bellingham | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine | 0.8 mi | — |
| ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Bellingham High School Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham | 0.9 mi | — |
| INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham | 1.5 mi | — |
| Options High School Bellingham | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Intergenerational High School Bellingham | 1.5 mi | 3.4 |
| EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| La Conner Elementary La Conner, WA | 6.5 |
| Mesa Elem Mesa, WA | 6.5 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Olympia, WA | 6.5 |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Federal Way, WA | 6.5 |
| Saint Helens Elementary Longview, WA | 6.5 |
| Soos Creek Elementary School Kent, WA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia Elementary School
What grades does Columbia Elementary School serve?
Columbia Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Columbia Elementary School?
Columbia Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 210 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Columbia Elementary School rank in WA?
Columbia Elementary School ranks #1,020 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Columbia Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Columbia Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Elementary School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Columbia Elementary School a charter school?
No, Columbia Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbia Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Columbia Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Elementary School?
26.7% of students at Columbia 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 210
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Whatcom County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.1%
- Phone
- (360) 676-6413
Resources & Links
District
Bellingham School District- District Enrollment
- 11,487
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,886
- District Rank
- #7 of 24
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