Average
#1739 of 2,225 schools in WA
Meridian High School
High School · Meridian School District
194 W LAUREL ROAD, Bellingham, WA 98226
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bellingham
#2 of 2
public schools
Washington high schools
#340 of 476
In district
#4 of 4
Meridian School District
Equity
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Meridian High School
Meridian High School is a regular public high school located in Bellingham, Washington, in Whatcom County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 537 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 20.7:1, Meridian High School offers personalized attention to its students, with 26 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
Academically, the school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.5 out of 10, placing it in the 68th percentile among all high schools in Washington State. Students typically perform well in English Language Arts and Reading, with 70% reaching proficiency or above. Math and science scores show room for improvement, with 48% and 34% of students meeting proficiency levels respectively.
Meridian High School is situated in a rural area near the town of Bellingham, providing a quiet setting conducive to learning and growth. The community offers a supportive environment that encourages student development beyond academics, fostering a well-rounded education experience for its diverse group of learners.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Meridian High School is 20.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Meridian High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Meridian High School — Students at Meridian High School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.8%
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: 6.0/10.
How Meridian High School Compares
See how Meridian High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 43.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 70.8% (2024).
Location
194 W LAUREL ROAD, Bellingham, WA 98226
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Meridian High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alderwood Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Meridian Special Programs Bellingham | 0.1 mi | — |
| Meridian Parent Partnership Program Bellingham | 0.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Meridian Middle School Lynden | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Irene Reither Elementary School Everson | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Cordata Elementary School Bellingham | 3.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Intergenerational High School Bellingham | 4.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Shuksan Middle School Bellingham | 5.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham | 5.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham | 5.6 mi | 7.9 |
| THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham | 5.9 mi | 7.9 |
| ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham | 5.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Parkview Elementary School Bellingham | 5.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Lynden Student Services Lynden | 5.8 mi | 5.2 |
| BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham | 5.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Lynden Academy Lynden | 6.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Fisher Elementary School Lynden | 6.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine | 6.3 mi | — |
| Columbia Elementary School Bellingham | 6.4 mi | 6.5 |
| PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NW Ferndale | 4.2 mi | 3.5 |
| Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham | 6.3 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98226 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,684
Median Home Value
$568,400
Median Rent
$1,557/mo
Population
45,739
College Educated
39.5%
Homeownership
62.2%
Avg Commute
19.4 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Median Age
40.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Meridian High School has a median household income of $79,684. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $568,400, with a median rent of $1,557/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Columbia High School White Salmon, WA | 5.1 |
| Lake Roosevelt Jr/Sr High School Coulee Dam, WA | 5.1 |
| Individualized Graduation & Degree Program Kent, WA | 5.0 |
| Kalama High School Kalama, WA | 5.0 |
| La Center High School La Center, WA | 5.0 |
| Industrial Design Engineering and Arts Tacoma, WA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Meridian High School
What grades does Meridian High School serve?
Meridian High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Meridian High School?
Meridian High School has an enrollment of approximately 537 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Meridian High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Meridian High School is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Meridian High School rank in WA?
Meridian High School is ranked #1739 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Meridian High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Meridian High School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Meridian High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meridian High School has 47.9% math proficiency and 70.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Meridian High School a charter school?
No, Meridian High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Meridian High School a Title I school?
No, Meridian High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meridian High School?
24.8% of students at Meridian 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
- City Safety
- High (4,115/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellingham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 537
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Whatcom County
- Phone
- (360) 398-8111
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Meridian School District- District Enrollment
- 1,903
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,219
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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