Skip to main content

Very Good

#28 of 381 private schools in WA

Top 7% of private schools

Explorations Academy

High School

1701 ELLIS ST # 215, Bellingham, WA 98225

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 25 schools in Bellingham. Learn more

Enrollment

40

Student-Teacher

5:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Bellingham

#3 of 9

public schools

Washington high schools

#5 of 43

About Explorations Academy

Explorations Academy serves 40 students in grades 6-12 in Bellingham, Washington, offering an intimate educational environment with a remarkably low 5.0:1 student-teacher ratio. This small public school provides personalized attention that's difficult to find elsewhere, with eight full-time equivalent teachers working closely with their students throughout the middle and high school years. The school has earned a solid 7.7 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks 215th among Washington's 381 schools, placing it in the 44th percentile statewide.

This mid-range performance suggests Explorations Academy provides a steady educational foundation while focusing on individualized learning approaches that work well for students who thrive in smaller settings. Located on Ellis Street, the school sits within Bellingham's diverse 98225 ZIP code, where nearly half the adult population holds bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding community reflects both educational achievement and economic diversity, with median household incomes of $61,679 and a poverty rate of 22.7 percent.

Home values in the area average $531,200, reflecting Bellingham's appeal as a college town. Explorations Academy's small size and exceptional student-teacher ratio make it an intriguing option for families seeking a more personalized educational experience in Bellingham's vibrant small city setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 40 students, Explorations Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Explorations Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Explorations Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Explorations Academy compares to 19 public schools serving similar grades in Bellingham, WA

Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
This School
vs
17.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
40
This School
vs
429
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.9
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 52.5% vs 0%
Black 5% vs 0%
Hispanic 5% vs 0%
Asian 2.5% vs 0%
Explorations Academy Bellingham Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Explorations Academy (this school) 7.9
Bellingham High School 6.2
Options High School 5.7
Whatcom Co Detention Center
Whatcom Middle School 5.6
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program 6.0
Visions (Seamar Youth Center)
Sehome High School 5.5
Kulshan Middle School 8.1
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement
Shuksan Middle School 6.1
Intergenerational High School 4.1
Bellingham Family Partnership Program 3.1
Fairhaven Middle School 7.5
Squalicum High School 7.2
Meridian High School 5.1
Meridian Parent Partnership Program 6.0
Harmony Elementary 5.5
Lummi Nation Tribal School 7.7
Lummi High School

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in WA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 60%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.8 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 40
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in WA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 52.5%
Two or More 25.0%
Native American 7.5%
Black 5.0%
Hispanic 5.0%
Asian 2.5%
Pacific Islander 2.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1701 ELLIS ST # 215, Bellingham, WA 98225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Explorations Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bellingham High School (rated 6.2/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Bellingham Re-Engagement Program (rated 6.0/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Options High School (rated 5.7/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Bellingham High School Bellingham 0.3 mi 6.2
Options High School Bellingham 0.3 mi 5.7
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 0.4 mi 8.4
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 0.4 mi
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 0.6 mi 5.6
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 0.7 mi 7.8
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 0.8 mi 6.7
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 0.8 mi 6.0
Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham 1.1 mi 6.5
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 1.3 mi 8.2
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 1.1 mi
GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham 1.0 mi
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham 1.2 mi 6.5
Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham 1.4 mi
ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham 1.5 mi 6.9
Sehome High School Bellingham 1.8 mi 5.5
THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham 1.5 mi 7.9
BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham 1.7 mi 6.0
MONTESSORI AT SAMISH WOODS Bellingham 2.1 mi 5.8
BLUE HERON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bellingham 2.1 mi

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 Explorations Academy 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
Alan T. Sugiyama High School Seattle, WA 7.9
Leaders In Learning Monroe, WA 8.0
Palouse High School Palouse, WA 7.8
Lacrosse High School Lacrosse, WA 8.1
WASHINGTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Bothell, WA 8.1
Choice Academy Kingston, WA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Explorations Academy

What grades does Explorations Academy serve?

Explorations Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Explorations Academy?

Explorations Academy has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Explorations Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Explorations Academy is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Explorations Academy rank in WA?

Explorations Academy is ranked #28 out of 381 private schools in WA.

What is Explorations Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Explorations Academy has a composite rating of 7.9 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.

Is Explorations Academy a private school?

Yes, Explorations Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Explorations Academy a religious school?

No, Explorations Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
96 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
58 Good Transit
Bike Score
88 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,115/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellingham). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
40
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
WHATCOM
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.