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Average

#1443 of 2,225 schools in WA

Ferndale High School

High School · Ferndale School District

P.O. Box 428, Ferndale, WA 98248

Enrollment

1,338

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ferndale

#5 of 8

public schools

Washington high schools

#274 of 476

In district

#7 of 10

Ferndale School District

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Ferndale High School

Ferndale High School serves 1,338 students in grades 9-12 in Ferndale, Washington, earning a solid 6.9 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #483 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, placing it in the 79th percentile statewide with an academic score of 8.2 out of 10. With 71 full-time equivalent teachers, Ferndale maintains an 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for reasonably personalized attention.

Academically, the school demonstrates strong performance with 70% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels. This solid foundation in literacy skills serves students well as they prepare for post-secondary opportunities. The school draws from a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $86,334 and the median home value is $475,300.

About one-third of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 9.5%, creating a supportive environment for educational achievement. Located in Whatcom County's mid-size suburb of Ferndale, the school serves a community of approximately 27,000 residents who value both educational excellence and the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.23 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Math vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.2 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness3.2Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,981

Ferndale High School — Students at Ferndale High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.7%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 66.0%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 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
32%
ELA
72%
2022
ELA
70%
2024
Math
30.1%
ELA
61%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.7/10.

How Ferndale High School Compares

See how Ferndale High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in WA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
71 teachers

Location

P.O. Box 428, Ferndale, WA 98248

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ferndale High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Custer Elem (rated 8.7/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vista Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Alderwood Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Bellingham), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ferndale, see our Ferndale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Ferndale Virtual Academy Ferndale 0.0 mi 3.9
Central Elementary Ferndale 0.5 mi 5.9
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NW Ferndale 0.6 mi 3.5
Ferndale Special Services Ferndale 0.7 mi
FERNDALE RE-ENGAGEMENT Ferndale 0.7 mi
Vista Middle School Ferndale 0.7 mi 8.0
Skyline Elementary School Ferndale 0.9 mi 7.7
Cascadia Elementary Ferndale 1.5 mi 4.5
Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale 1.6 mi 7.2
Horizon Middle School Ferndale 1.7 mi 5.3
Custer Elem Custer 5.1 mi 8.7
Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham 5.9 mi 7.9
Meridian Parent Partnership Program Bellingham 4.5 mi 6.0
Meridian Special Programs Bellingham 4.6 mi
Cordata Elementary School Bellingham 5.3 mi 5.0
Meridian High School Bellingham 4.6 mi 5.1
Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham 6.6 mi 7.1
Shuksan Middle School Bellingham 6.5 mi 6.1
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham 7.0 mi
Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine 7.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98248 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,566

Median Home Value

$550,300

Median Rent

$1,455/mo

Population

28,061

College Educated

31%

Homeownership

76.6%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

37.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ferndale High School has a median household income of $88,566. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $550,300, with a median rent of $1,455/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Central Valley High School Spokane Valley, WA 5.7
Lewis & Clark High School Spokane, WA 5.7
Skyview High School Vancouver, WA 5.7
W F West High School Chehalis, WA 5.7
Capital High School Olympia, WA 5.8
East Valley High School Spokane Valley, WA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ferndale High School

What grades does Ferndale High School serve?

Ferndale High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ferndale High School?

Ferndale High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,338 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ferndale High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ferndale High School is 18.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ferndale High School rank in WA?

Ferndale High School is ranked #1443 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Ferndale High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ferndale High School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Ferndale High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ferndale High School has 30.7% math proficiency and 66.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ferndale High School a charter school?

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

Is Ferndale High School a Title I school?

No, Ferndale High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ferndale High School?

48.7% of students at Ferndale High 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
61 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,706/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,338
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
71
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Whatcom County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ferndale School District
District Enrollment
4,643
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,722
District Rank
#7 of 10

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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