Excellent
#311 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 14% 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
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bellingham
#4 of 27
public schools
Washington elementary schools
#286 of 1,202
In district
#4 of 24
Bellingham School District
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Northern Heights Elementary Schl
Northern Heights Elementary School is a welcoming public school located in Bellingham, Washington. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 420 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.8:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting in a small city provides a close-knit community feel where students can thrive both academically and socially.
Northern Heights Elementary School holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10, placing it at the 74th percentile among Washington state schools. With an academic score of 6.5/10, the school demonstrates strong performance in science, with 69% of students proficient or above, while showing areas for growth in ELA and math, where 50% and 45% of students respectively meet proficiency standards. Northern Heights Elementary School is situated in a vibrant community that supports its educational goals.
Score Breakdown
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Northern Heights Elementary Schl — Students at Northern Heights Elementary Schl score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.
How Northern Heights Elementary Schl Compares
See how Northern Heights Elementary Schl performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 46.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 48% (2019) to 49.5% (2024).
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 slightly higher. Another option is Silver Beach Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 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 | 7.2 |
| Silver Beach Elementary School Bellingham | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Bellingham | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham | 2.0 mi | — |
| Geneva Elementary School Bellingham | 2.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Kulshan Middle School Bellingham | 2.9 mi | 8.1 |
| WHATCOM HILLS WALDORF SCHOOL Bellingham | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Options High School Bellingham | 3.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Parkview Elementary School Bellingham | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham | 3.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Bellingham High School Bellingham | 3.2 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 4.1 |
| Wade King Elementary School Bellingham | 4.9 mi | 7.6 |
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 Northern Heights Elementary Schl 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary Spokane Valley, WA | 8.1 |
| BRIGHTON SCHOOL Mountlake Terrace, WA | 8.1 |
| Belfair Elementary Belfair, WA | 8.1 |
| Bennett Elementary School Bellevue, WA | 8.1 |
| Butler Acres Elementary Kelso, WA | 8.1 |
| Carl Sandburg Elementary Kirkland, WA | 8.1 |
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 is ranked #311 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Northern Heights Elementary Schl's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern Heights Elementary Schl 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 Northern Heights Elementary Schl?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern Heights Elementary Schl has 45.3% math proficiency and 49.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 13 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 19 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 23 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,115/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellingham). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (360) 647-6820
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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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