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Excellent

#310 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 14% in state

Kulshan Middle School

Middle School · Bellingham School District

1250 Kenoyer Dr, Bellingham, WA 98229

Enrollment

599

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

8.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellingham

#3 of 27

public schools

Washington middle schools

#8 of 374

In district

#3 of 24

Bellingham School District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Kulshan Middle School

Kulshan Middle School serves grades six through eight in Bellingham, a small city in Whatcom County. With 599 students and 32 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1, creating an environment where students can receive meaningful classroom attention. Academically, Kulshan performs well relative to Washington state schools, ranking in the 86th percentile statewide and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7/10.

The school's academic score of 8.2/10 reflects solid overall performance. In standardized assessments, 64% of students score proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 60% meet proficiency benchmarks in Science. Math shows room for growth, with 54% of students reaching proficiency levels.

The school's strong state ranking places it well ahead of the median Washington middle school, suggesting effective instruction and engaged student learning. This middle school offers a traditional public school experience in Bellingham's small-city setting, where students can develop foundational skills across core academic areas during these important transition years.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.6%
Math vs. State Avg+17.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.1 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802

Kulshan Middle School — Students at Kulshan Middle School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 63.6%
School
State
49.0%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
46%
ELA
61%
2022
ELA
62%
2024
Math
55.6%
ELA
64.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.

How Kulshan Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in WA
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

1250 Kenoyer Dr, Bellingham, WA 98229

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kulshan Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Silver Beach Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Roosevelt Elementary School Bellingham 1.7 mi 6.3
Silver Beach Elementary School Bellingham 1.7 mi 8.2
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 1.3 mi 7.8
Wade King Elementary School Bellingham 2.0 mi 7.6
Geneva Elementary School Bellingham 1.4 mi 7.8
Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham 1.8 mi
WHATCOM HILLS WALDORF SCHOOL Bellingham 1.5 mi 6.6
BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham 2.2 mi 6.0
Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham 2.1 mi 6.5
Squalicum High School Bellingham 2.7 mi 7.2
Options High School Bellingham 1.9 mi 5.7
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 1.9 mi 7.9
Bellingham High School Bellingham 2.1 mi 6.2
Northern Heights Elementary Schl Bellingham 2.9 mi 8.1
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 2.1 mi 8.4
MONTESSORI AT SAMISH WOODS Bellingham 2.3 mi 5.8
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 2.2 mi
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 2.4 mi 5.6
Sehome High School Bellingham 2.5 mi 5.5
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 2.7 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98229 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,068

Median Home Value

$564,700

Median Rent

$1,533/mo

Population

33,919

College Educated

50.8%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kulshan Middle School has a median household income of $90,068. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $564,700, with a median rent of $1,533/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Carla Peperzak Middle School Spokane, WA 8.1
Totem Middle School Marysville, WA 8.1
Wilson Middle School Yakima, WA 8.1
Robert Eagle Staff Middle School Seattle, WA 8.2
Vista Middle School Ferndale, WA 8.0
Beaver Lake Middle School Issaquah, WA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kulshan Middle School

What grades does Kulshan Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Kulshan Middle School?

Kulshan Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 599 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Kulshan Middle School is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kulshan Middle School rank in WA?

Kulshan Middle School is ranked #310 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Kulshan Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kulshan Middle School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Kulshan Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kulshan Middle School has 53.7% math proficiency and 63.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kulshan Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Kulshan Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

31.9% of students at Kulshan 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
7 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,115/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Whatcom County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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