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Very Good

#533 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 24% in state

Fairhaven Middle School

Middle School · Bellingham School District

110 Park Ridge Rd, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

581

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellingham

#10 of 27

public schools

Washington middle schools

#29 of 374

In district

#9 of 24

Bellingham School District

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Fairhaven Middle School

Fairhaven Middle School serves grades 6–8 in Bellingham, Washington, with an enrollment of 581 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.2 to 1, supported by 32 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Fairhaven ranks in the 80th percentile among Washington state schools, placing #457 out of 2,261 statewide.

The school earned a MySchoolScout Rating of 7.3 out of 10 with an Academic Score of 8.2 out of 10. In state assessments, 66% of students scored proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Science, while 55% achieved proficiency or above in Math. This performance shows particular strength in reading and science, with math representing an area where additional support could help more students reach proficiency.

As a regular public middle school located in Bellingham's small city setting, Fairhaven provides a community-focused educational environment for early adolescents in the region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.9%
Math vs. State Avg+16.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.4 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment5.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802

Fairhaven Middle School — Students at Fairhaven Middle School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 55.2%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 65.8%
School
State
49.0%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
75%
2022
ELA
60%
2024
Math
54.8%
ELA
65%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.5/10.

How Fairhaven Middle School Compares

See how Fairhaven Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
76th percentile in WA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

110 Park Ridge Rd, Bellingham, WA 98225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fairhaven Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Whatcom Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 3.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, CASCADES MONTESSORI MIDDLE (rated 5.1/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Bellingham Family Partnership Program Bellingham 0.5 mi 3.1
Lowell Elementary School Bellingham 0.7 mi 6.0
BLUE HERON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bellingham 1.0 mi
Happy Valley Elementary School Bellingham 1.0 mi 7.3
CASCADES MONTESSORI MIDDLE Bellingham 1.0 mi 5.1
Sehome High School Bellingham 1.4 mi 5.5
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 2.0 mi
MONTESSORI AT SAMISH WOODS Bellingham 1.6 mi 5.8
GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham 3.1 mi
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 2.9 mi
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 3.2 mi 6.0
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 3.0 mi 7.9
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 3.2 mi 5.6
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham 3.4 mi 6.5
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 3.4 mi 6.7
Bellingham High School Bellingham 3.2 mi 6.2
Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine 3.5 mi
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 2.9 mi 7.8
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham 3.6 mi
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 3.3 mi 8.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fairhaven Middle 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
Lake Stevens Middle School Lake Stevens, WA 7.5
Sultan Middle School Sultan, WA 7.5
Cedar Heights Middle School Port Orchard, WA 7.4
Chief Kanim Middle School Fall City, WA 7.4
Hunt Middle School Tacoma, WA 7.6
Kamiakin Middle School Kirkland, WA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fairhaven Middle School

What grades does Fairhaven Middle School serve?

Fairhaven Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Fairhaven Middle School?

Fairhaven Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairhaven Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fairhaven Middle School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fairhaven Middle School rank in WA?

Fairhaven Middle School is ranked #533 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Fairhaven Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fairhaven Middle School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Fairhaven Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairhaven Middle School has 55.2% math proficiency and 65.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fairhaven Middle School a charter school?

No, Fairhaven Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fairhaven Middle School a Title I school?

No, Fairhaven Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fairhaven Middle School?

44.6% of students at Fairhaven Middle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,115/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Whatcom County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bellingham School District
District Enrollment
11,487
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,886
District Rank
#9 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 methodology

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