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
Enrollment
1,338
Student-Teacher
18.8:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Ferndale High School — Students at Ferndale High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 30.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 61% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (360) 383-9240
- 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
- #7 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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