Excellent
#134 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 6% in state
Custer Elem
Elementary School · Ferndale School District
7660 Custer School Road, Custer, WA 98240
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Washington elementary schools
#129 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 10
Ferndale School District
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Custer Elem
Custer Elem is a public elementary school in Custer, WA, part of the Ferndale School District. The school serves approximately 367 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 48% proficiency in math, 2 points above the state average and 49% in reading/language arts, 2 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $106,256, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Custer Elem may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 13 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: 9.0/10.
How Custer Elem Compares
See how Custer Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 48.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 49.4% (2024).
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. Skyline Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Ferndale), with a comparable rating. Another option is Blaine Primary School (rated 7.5/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Blaine), a more accessible option. Additionally, Eagleridge Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Ferndale), 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 | 4.5 |
| Horizon Middle School Ferndale | 4.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale | 4.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Skyline Elementary School Ferndale | 4.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Vista Middle School Ferndale | 4.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Ferndale Special Services Ferndale | 4.4 mi | — |
| FERNDALE RE-ENGAGEMENT Ferndale | 4.4 mi | — |
| Ferndale High School Ferndale | 5.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Ferndale Virtual Academy Ferndale | 5.1 mi | 3.9 |
| PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NW Ferndale | 4.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Central Elementary Ferndale | 5.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Blaine High School Blaine | 6.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Blaine Middle School Blaine | 6.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Blaine Primary School Blaine | 6.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Blaine Elementary School Blaine | 6.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Blaine Home Connection Blaine | 7.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Meridian Parent Partnership Program Bellingham | 7.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Lynden Academy Lynden | 7.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Meridian Special Programs Bellingham | 7.9 mi | — |
| Meridian High School Bellingham | 7.9 mi | 5.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Custer Elem has a median household income of $106,256. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $566,400. The local poverty rate of 4.9% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Browns Point Elementary School Tacoma, WA | 8.7 |
| Capt Johnston Blakely Elem Sch Bainbridge Island, WA | 8.7 |
| Carter Lake Elementary School Jblm Mcchord Field, WA | 8.7 |
| Chester Elementary School Spokane Valley, WA | 8.7 |
| Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont, WA | 8.7 |
| Gilbert Elementary School Yakima, WA | 8.7 |
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 is ranked #134 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Custer Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Custer Elem has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Custer Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Custer Elem has 48.0% math proficiency and 48.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (360) 383-9500
- 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
- #1 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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