Average
#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
Enrollment
1,175
Student-Teacher
23.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Sehome High School — Students at Sehome High School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.2%
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: 2.0/10.
How Sehome High School Compares
See how Sehome High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 30.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 67.6% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (360) 676-6481
- 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
- #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 methodologyRelated reading
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