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Below Average

#1876 of 2,228 schools in WA

Options High School

High School · Bellingham School District

2015 Franklin St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

206

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,876 of 2,228

In Bellingham

#25 of 29

public schools

In district

#21 of 24

Bellingham School District

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Options High School

4.6/10

High School in Bellingham · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bellingham High School

6.6/10

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

Assumption Catholic School

8.4/10

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

About Options High School

Options High School is a public high school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Options High School serves approximately 206 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Options High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,876 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Options High School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

98% of students at Options High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.8% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.9% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.3 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-17.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness6.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,886
Chronic Absenteeism98.1%

Options High School — Students at Options High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 59.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
55.9% (2024 SBA)

Based on 29 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
30%
ELA
69.5%
2010
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
30%
ELA
74.5%
2012
Math
30%
ELA
69.5%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
69.5%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
69.5%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
90%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
34.5%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
64.5%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
64.5%
2022
ELA
49.5%
2024
Math
10.8%
ELA
36.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Options High School Compares

See how Options High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
16th percentile in WA
Academic
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
98.1%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

2015 Franklin St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Options High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bellingham Re-Engagement Program (rated 8.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bellingham High School (rated 6.6/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Bellingham High School Bellingham 0.1 mi 6.6
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 0.2 mi 8.4
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 0.3 mi 7.9
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 0.5 mi
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 0.4 mi 5.6
Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham 0.8 mi 6.2
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 0.7 mi 6.7
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 0.9 mi 6.4
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 1.0 mi 7.2
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 0.7 mi 8.1
GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham 1.0 mi
Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham 1.1 mi
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham 1.1 mi 6.5
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 1.3 mi
ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham 1.3 mi 6.9
BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham 1.4 mi 6.0
THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham 1.4 mi 7.9
Roosevelt Elementary School Bellingham 1.5 mi 6.0
Sehome High School Bellingham 2.1 mi 6.5
Intergenerational High School Bellingham 2.2 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98225 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,220

Median Home Value

$588,800

Median Rent

$1,430/mo

Population

50,355

College Educated

48.3%

Homeownership

41%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.3%

Median Age

32

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ACES High School Everett, WA 4.6
Westside High School Wenatchee, WA 4.6
Envision Career Academy Lacey, WA 4.7
Mary Walker High School Springdale, WA 4.7
Soap Lake Middle & High School Soap Lake, WA 4.7
Sequoia High School Everett, WA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Options High School

What grades does Options High School serve?

Options High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Options High School?

Options High School has an enrollment of approximately 206 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Options High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Options High School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Options High School rank in WA?

Options High School ranks #1,876 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Options High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Options High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Options High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Options High School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Options High School a charter school?

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

Is Options High School a Title I school?

No, Options High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Options High School?

57.3% of students at Options 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
92 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
90 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
206
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.3%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small City
County
Whatcom County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
98.1%

District

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

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