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Below Average

#1966 of 2,228 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

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,966 of 2,228

In Ferndale

#7 of 8

public schools

In district

#9 of 10

Ferndale School District

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Ferndale High School

4.3/10

High School in Ferndale · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ferndale Virtual Academy

4.2/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Central Elementary

7.7/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ferndale High School

Ferndale High School is a public high school in Ferndale, WA, part of Ferndale School District. Ferndale High School serves approximately 1,338 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Ferndale High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,966 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Ferndale High School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts below WA schools
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

42% of students at Ferndale High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency61% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.2 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness3.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,722
Chronic Absenteeism41.6%

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 46.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 74.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 29 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
49%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
83%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
72%
2022
ELA
70%
2024
Math
30.1%
ELA
61%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.

How Ferndale High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
12th percentile in WA
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
12
7 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
71 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
11.1% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
7 boys'·5 girls'·20 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Central Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Custer Elem (rated 7.7/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vista Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 0.7 miles away), 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 4.2
Central Elementary Ferndale 0.5 mi 7.7
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 6.6
Skyline Elementary School Ferndale 0.9 mi 5.8
Cascadia Elementary Ferndale 1.5 mi 4.7
Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale 1.6 mi 4.9
Horizon Middle School Ferndale 1.7 mi 5.0
Custer Elem Custer 5.1 mi 7.7
Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham 5.9 mi 4.9
Meridian Parent Partnership Program Bellingham 4.5 mi 6.1
Meridian Special Programs Bellingham 4.6 mi
Cordata Elementary School Bellingham 5.3 mi 2.9
Meridian High School Bellingham 4.6 mi 5.3
Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham 6.6 mi 4.5
Shuksan Middle School Bellingham 6.5 mi 5.1
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bethel High School Spanaway, WA 4.3
Quincy High School Quincy, WA 4.3
Rogers High School Spokane, WA 4.3
Centralia High School Centralia, WA 4.2
Lakes High School Lakewood, WA 4.2
Prairie High School Battle Ground, WA 4.2

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 ranks #1,966 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Ferndale High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ferndale High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Ferndale High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ferndale High School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.6%

District

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

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