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Below Average

#1875 of 2,228 schools in WA

Happy Valley Elementary School

Elementary School · Bellingham School District

1041 24th St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

468

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,875 of 2,228

In Bellingham

#24 of 29

public schools

In district

#20 of 24

Bellingham School District

Equity

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Happy Valley Elementary School

4.6/10

Elementary School in Bellingham · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Blue Heron Montessori School

Nearby

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

Cascades Montessori Middle

5.1/10

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

About Happy Valley Elementary School

Happy Valley Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Happy Valley Elementary School serves approximately 468 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Happy Valley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,875 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Happy Valley Elementary School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Happy Valley Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+0.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.6 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,886
Chronic Absenteeism35.7%

Happy Valley Elementary School — Students at Happy Valley Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 68.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 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
80%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
81%
2015
Math
64%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
65%
2017
Math
61%
ELA
64%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
45.7%
ELA
51%
2024
Math
51.9%
ELA
50.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.

How Happy Valley Elementary School Compares

See how Happy Valley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
16th percentile in WA
Academic
7.6/10
Very Good
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.7%

Programs & Offerings

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

1041 24th St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Happy Valley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI (rated 6.7/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Columbia Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
BLUE HERON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bellingham 0.2 mi
CASCADES MONTESSORI MIDDLE Bellingham 0.3 mi 5.1
Sehome High School Bellingham 0.4 mi 6.5
Bellingham Family Partnership Program Bellingham 0.5 mi 3.2
MONTESSORI AT SAMISH WOODS Bellingham 0.6 mi 5.8
Lowell Elementary School Bellingham 0.7 mi 5.4
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 1.4 mi
Fairhaven Middle School Bellingham 1.0 mi 6.3
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 1.9 mi 6.4
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 2.2 mi
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 2.2 mi 7.9
Bellingham High School Bellingham 2.4 mi 6.6
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 2.5 mi 5.6
Options High School Bellingham 2.5 mi 4.6
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 2.6 mi 8.1
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 2.5 mi 8.4
GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham 2.6 mi
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 2.8 mi 6.7
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham 2.9 mi 6.5
Wade King Elementary School Bellingham 1.9 mi 4.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Beverly Elementary Lynnwood, WA 4.6
Burton Elementary School Vancouver, WA 4.6
Eastgate Elementary School Kennewick, WA 4.6
Fisher Elementary School Lynden, WA 4.6
Frances Scott Elementary Spokane, WA 4.6
Garfield Elementary School Olympia, WA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Happy Valley Elementary School

What grades does Happy Valley Elementary School serve?

Happy Valley Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Happy Valley Elementary School?

Happy Valley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 468 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Happy Valley Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Happy Valley Elementary School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Happy Valley Elementary School rank in WA?

Happy Valley Elementary School ranks #1,875 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Happy Valley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Happy Valley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Happy Valley Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Happy Valley Elementary School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Happy Valley Elementary School a charter school?

No, Happy Valley Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Happy Valley Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Happy Valley Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Happy Valley Elementary School?

44.2% of students at Happy Valley Elementary 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
41 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
468
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Whatcom County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.7%

District

Bellingham School District
District Enrollment
11,487
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,886
District Rank
#20 of 24

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