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Average

#1724 of 2,228 schools in WA

Horizon Middle School

Middle School · Ferndale School District

P.O. Box 1769, Ferndale, WA 98248

Enrollment

413

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,724 of 2,228

In Ferndale

#4 of 8

public schools

In district

#6 of 10

Ferndale School District

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Horizon Middle School

5.0/10

Middle School in Ferndale · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Eagleridge Elementary

4.9/10

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

Cascadia Elementary

4.7/10

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

About Horizon Middle School

Horizon Middle School is a public middle school in Ferndale, WA, part of Ferndale School District. Horizon Middle School serves approximately 413 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Horizon Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,724 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Horizon Middle School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

50% of students at Horizon Middle 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 Progress4.5Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.3% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.2% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-11.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment6.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,722
Chronic Absenteeism49.6%

Horizon Middle School — Students at Horizon Middle School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 51.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 32 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
59%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
54%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
69%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
28.6%
ELA
46%
2024
Math
27.1%
ELA
37.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.

How Horizon Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
23th percentile in WA
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.6%

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

P.O. Box 1769, Ferndale, WA 98248

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Horizon Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Central Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Custer Elem (rated 7.7/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Custer), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Vista Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ferndale, see our Ferndale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale 0.1 mi 4.9
Cascadia Elementary Ferndale 0.5 mi 4.7
Skyline Elementary School Ferndale 1.1 mi 5.8
Vista Middle School Ferndale 1.1 mi 6.6
Ferndale Special Services Ferndale 1.2 mi
FERNDALE RE-ENGAGEMENT Ferndale 1.2 mi
Ferndale High School Ferndale 1.7 mi 4.3
Ferndale Virtual Academy Ferndale 1.7 mi 4.2
Central Elementary Ferndale 2.0 mi 7.7
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NW Ferndale 1.9 mi 3.5
Custer Elem Custer 4.0 mi 7.7
Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham 7.3 mi 4.9
Meridian Parent Partnership Program Bellingham 6.1 mi 6.1
Meridian Special Programs Bellingham 6.1 mi
Meridian High School Bellingham 6.2 mi 5.3
Cordata Elementary School Bellingham 6.9 mi 2.9
Lummi High School Bellingham 9.3 mi
Lummi Nation Tribal School Bellingham 9.3 mi 6.0
Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham 8.1 mi 4.5
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham 8.4 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
Eatonville Middle School Eatonville, WA 5.0
Daybreak Middle Battle Ground, WA 5.1
Edgemont Jr High Edgewood, WA 5.1
Glover Middle School Spokane, WA 5.1
Kingston Middle School Kingston, WA 4.9
Lochburn Middle School Lakewood, WA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Horizon Middle School

What grades does Horizon Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Horizon Middle School?

Horizon Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 413 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Horizon Middle School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Horizon Middle School rank in WA?

Horizon Middle School ranks #1,724 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Horizon Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Horizon Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Horizon Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Horizon Middle School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Horizon Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Horizon Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

58.8% of students at Horizon 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Whatcom County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.6%

District

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

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