Skip to main content

Average

#838 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 38% in state

Northern Heights Elementary Schl

Elementary School · Bellingham School District

4000 Magrath Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226

Enrollment

420

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#838 of 2,228

In Bellingham

#4 of 29

public schools

In district

#4 of 24

Bellingham School District

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Northern Heights Elementary Schl?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Northern Heights Elementary Schl

6.9/10

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

Squalicum High School

6.4/10

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

Silver Beach Elementary School

7.5/10

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

About Northern Heights Elementary Schl

Northern Heights Elementary Schl is a public elementary school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Northern Heights Elementary Schl serves approximately 420 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern Heights Elementary Schl has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #838 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Northern Heights Elementary Schl show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Northern Heights Elementary Schl 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 Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.26 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-5.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,886
Chronic Absenteeism36%

Northern Heights Elementary Schl — Students at Northern Heights Elementary Schl score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 56.8% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
53%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
66%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
61%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
58%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
46%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
49%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
46.4%
ELA
49.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.

How Northern Heights Elementary Schl Compares

See how Northern Heights Elementary Schl performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in WA
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.0%

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

4000 Magrath Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Heights Elementary Schl may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Silver Beach Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Parkview Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Squalicum High School Bellingham 0.2 mi 6.4
Silver Beach Elementary School Bellingham 1.3 mi 7.5
Roosevelt Elementary School Bellingham 1.7 mi 6.0
BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham 1.8 mi 6.0
Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham 2.0 mi
Geneva Elementary School Bellingham 2.8 mi 5.7
Kulshan Middle School Bellingham 2.9 mi 6.7
WHATCOM HILLS WALDORF SCHOOL Bellingham 3.2 mi 6.6
Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham 2.5 mi 6.2
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 3.4 mi 6.4
Options High School Bellingham 3.1 mi 4.6
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 2.9 mi 7.2
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 3.2 mi 8.4
Bellingham High School Bellingham 3.2 mi 6.6
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 3.4 mi 7.9
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 3.4 mi 5.6
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 3.6 mi
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 3.4 mi 6.7
Intergenerational High School Bellingham 3.3 mi 3.4
Wade King Elementary School Bellingham 4.9 mi 4.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bowman Creek Elementary Auburn, WA 6.9
Chain Lake Elementary School Snohomish, WA 6.9
Chloe Clark Elementary Dupont, WA 6.9
Cottonwood Elementary Kennewick, WA 6.9
Cougar Valley Elementary Silverdale, WA 6.9
Crystal Springs Elementary Bothell, WA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern Heights Elementary Schl

What grades does Northern Heights Elementary Schl serve?

Northern Heights Elementary Schl serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Northern Heights Elementary Schl?

Northern Heights Elementary Schl has an enrollment of approximately 420 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Heights Elementary Schl?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern Heights Elementary Schl is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern Heights Elementary Schl rank in WA?

Northern Heights Elementary Schl ranks #838 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Northern Heights Elementary Schl's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Heights Elementary Schl has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Northern Heights Elementary Schl?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern Heights Elementary Schl has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Northern Heights Elementary Schl a charter school?

No, Northern Heights Elementary Schl is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northern Heights Elementary Schl a Title I school?

No, Northern Heights Elementary Schl is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Heights Elementary Schl?

39.8% of students at Northern Heights Elementary Schl 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
13 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
19 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Whatcom County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.