Average
#1019 of 2,225 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
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bellingham
#14 of 27
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#729 of 1,202
In district
#13 of 24
Bellingham School District
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Columbia Elementary School
Columbia Elementary School is a regular public school nestled in Bellingham, Washington, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 210 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive academically. The dedicated team of 14 full-time equivalent teachers focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and development.
Columbia Elementary School's academic performance is noteworthy, with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 69% and a strong showing in science at 84%, though the math proficiency rate stands at 53%. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks 73rd percentile among Washington state schools, indicating there is room for academic improvement but also highlighting areas where they excel. Columbia Elementary School is situated in a small city setting, providing a close-knit community feel with easy access to local amenities and resources.
The school's commitment to nurturing young minds makes it a great choice for families seeking a warm and engaging educational environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 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: 5.0/10.
How Columbia Elementary School Compares
See how Columbia Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 48.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 69.9% (2024).
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 Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 6.0 |
| 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 | 8.2 |
| Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham | 0.9 mi | — |
| Shuksan Middle School Bellingham | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine | 0.8 mi | — |
| ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham | 0.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Bellingham High School Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham | 0.9 mi | — |
| INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham | 1.5 mi | — |
| Options High School Bellingham | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Intergenerational High School Bellingham | 1.5 mi | 4.1 |
| EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
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 Columbia Elementary School 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 |
|---|---|
| Big Lake Elementary School Mount Vernon, WA | 6.5 |
| Central Elementary School Hoquiam, WA | 6.5 |
| Roy Elementary Roy, WA | 6.5 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Olympia, WA | 6.5 |
| Tieton Elementary School Tieton, WA | 6.5 |
| Tillicum Elementary School Lakewood, 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 is ranked #1019 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Columbia Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Columbia Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Elementary School has 52.6% math proficiency and 68.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,115/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellingham). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (360) 676-6413
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bellingham School District- District Enrollment
- 11,487
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,886
- District Rank
- #13 of 24
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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