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#1529 of 2,225 schools in WA

Sehome High School

High School · Bellingham School District

2700 Bill McDonald Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

1,175

Student-Teacher

23.5:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellingham

#24 of 27

public schools

Washington high schools

#296 of 476

In district

#22 of 24

Bellingham School District

About Sehome High School

Sehome High School serves 1,175 students in grades 9-12 in Bellingham, Washington, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking #243 out of 2,261 Washington schools, Sehome places in the 89th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates particularly strong academic achievement with an impressive 9.8 out of 10 academic score, and 89% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading.

The school operates with 50 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 23.5 to 1. This sizeable high school provides educational opportunities for students in Bellingham's 98225 ZIP code area, where nearly half the adult population holds bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the community's educational values. The surrounding neighborhood shows economic diversity, with a median household income of $61,679 and home values averaging $531,200, though 22.7% of residents live below the poverty line.

This mix creates an environment where students from various socioeconomic backgrounds come together for their high school experience. Sehome High School is situated in Bellingham's small city setting, contributing to the educational landscape of this Pacific Northwest community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Sehome High School is 23.5:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.6%
Math vs. State Avg-0.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.4 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation39.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802

Sehome High School — Students at Sehome High School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.3%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 78.3%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
89%
2022
ELA
89%
2024
Math
30.9%
ELA
67.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.0/10.

How Sehome High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in WA
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers

Location

2700 Bill McDonald Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sehome High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bellingham High School (rated 6.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bellingham Re-Engagement Program (rated 6.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Happy Valley Elementary School Bellingham 0.4 mi 7.3
BLUE HERON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bellingham 0.4 mi
CASCADES MONTESSORI MIDDLE Bellingham 0.6 mi 5.1
MONTESSORI AT SAMISH WOODS Bellingham 0.6 mi 5.8
Bellingham Family Partnership Program Bellingham 0.9 mi 3.1
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 1.1 mi
Lowell Elementary School Bellingham 0.9 mi 6.0
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 1.5 mi 7.8
Fairhaven Middle School Bellingham 1.4 mi 7.5
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 1.8 mi 7.9
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 1.9 mi
Bellingham High School Bellingham 2.1 mi 6.2
Options High School Bellingham 2.1 mi 5.7
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 2.2 mi 8.4
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 2.2 mi 5.6
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 2.2 mi 6.0
GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham 2.2 mi
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 2.4 mi 6.7
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham 2.6 mi 6.5
Wade King Elementary School Bellingham 1.9 mi 7.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sehome High School has a median household income of $62,220. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $588,800, with a median rent of $1,430/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Auburn Mountainview High School Auburn, WA 5.6
Decatur High School Federal Way, WA 5.4
Monroe High School Monroe, WA 5.6
Oak Harbor High School Oak Harbor, WA 5.4
Renton Senior High School Renton, WA 5.6
Ridgefield High School Ridgefield, WA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sehome High School

What grades does Sehome High School serve?

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

How many students attend Sehome High School?

Sehome High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,175 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Sehome High School is 23.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sehome High School rank in WA?

Sehome High School is ranked #1529 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Sehome High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sehome High School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Sehome High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sehome High School has 42.3% math proficiency and 78.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sehome High School a charter school?

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

Is Sehome High School a Title I school?

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

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

29.2% of students at Sehome 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
53 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,175
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.2%
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
#22 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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