Very Good
#520 of 2,228 schools in WA
Top 23% in state
Custer Elem
Elementary School · Ferndale School District
7660 Custer School Road, Custer, WA 98240
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#520 of 2,228
In district
#2 of 10
Ferndale School District
School environment
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Custer Elem
Elementary School in Custer · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cascadia Elementary
3.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Horizon Middle School
4.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Custer Elem
Custer Elem is a public elementary school in Custer, WA, part of Ferndale School District. Custer Elem serves approximately 367 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Custer Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #520 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Custer Elem show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% 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
Custer Elem sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
43% of students at Custer Elem 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
Custer Elem — Students at Custer Elem score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
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: 7.3/10.
How Custer Elem Compares
See how Custer Elem 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
7660 Custer School Road, Custer, WA 98240
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Custer Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Central Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Ferndale), with a very similar rating. Another option is Blaine Primary School (rated 6.7/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Blaine), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Meridian Parent Partnership Program (rated 6.1/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Bellingham), a more accessible option. For more schools in Custer, see our Custer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cascadia Elementary Ferndale | 3.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Horizon Middle School Ferndale | 4.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale | 4.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Skyline Elementary School Ferndale | 4.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Vista Middle School Ferndale | 4.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Ferndale Special Services Ferndale | 4.4 mi | — |
| FERNDALE RE-ENGAGEMENT Ferndale | 4.4 mi | — |
| Ferndale High School Ferndale | 5.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Ferndale Virtual Academy Ferndale | 5.1 mi | 4.2 |
| PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NW Ferndale | 4.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Central Elementary Ferndale | 5.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Blaine High School Blaine | 6.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Blaine Middle School Blaine | 6.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Blaine Primary School Blaine | 6.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Blaine Elementary School Blaine | 6.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Blaine Home Connection Blaine | 7.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Meridian Parent Partnership Program Bellingham | 7.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Lynden Academy Lynden | 7.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Meridian Special Programs Bellingham | 7.9 mi | — |
| Meridian High School Bellingham | 7.9 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98240 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$106,256
Median Home Value
$566,400
Population
3,208
College Educated
23.9%
Homeownership
95.2%
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Median Age
37
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Basin City Elem Connell, WA | 7.7 |
| Central Elementary Ferndale, WA | 7.7 |
| Central Elementary School Sedro-Woolley, WA | 7.7 |
| Chambers Elementary University Pla, WA | 7.7 |
| Chimacum Elementary School Chimacum, WA | 7.7 |
| Discovery Primary School Milton, WA | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Custer Elem
What grades does Custer Elem serve?
Custer Elem serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Custer Elem?
Custer Elem has an enrollment of approximately 367 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Custer Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Custer Elem is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Custer Elem rank in WA?
Custer Elem ranks #520 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Custer Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Custer Elem 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 Custer Elem?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Custer Elem has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Custer Elem a charter school?
No, Custer Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Custer Elem a Title I school?
No, Custer Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Custer Elem?
57.5% of students at Custer Elem 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 367
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Whatcom County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.5%
- Phone
- (360) 383-9500
Resources & Links
District
Ferndale School District- District Enrollment
- 4,643
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,722
- District Rank
- #2 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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