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Average

#1021 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 46% in state

Sehome High School

High School · Bellingham School District

2700 Bill McDonald Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

1,175

Student-Teacher

23.5:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,021 of 2,228

In Bellingham

#8 of 29

public schools

In district

#8 of 24

Bellingham School District

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Sehome High School

6.5/10

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

Happy Valley Elementary School

4.6/10

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

Blue Heron Montessori School

Nearby

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

About Sehome High School

Sehome High School is a public high school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Sehome High School serves approximately 1,175 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 23.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Sehome High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,021 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Sehome High School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • WA avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Sehome High School runs 23.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

32% of students at Sehome 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 Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.9% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.6% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-0.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.4 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)58% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness9.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation39.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,886
Chronic Absenteeism32.3%

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 63.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 83.3% (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
69%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
90%
ELA
91%
2013
Math
93%
ELA
95%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
90%
2016
Math
54.5%
ELA
97%
2017
Math
76%
ELA
89%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
89%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
89%
2022
ELA
89%
2024
Math
30.9%
ELA
67.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.8/10.

How Sehome High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in WA
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
28
15 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
39.5% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics28sports offered
15 boys'·13 girls'·28 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

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. Bellingham Re-Engagement Program (rated 8.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bellingham High School (rated 6.6/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 4.6
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 3.2
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 1.1 mi
Lowell Elementary School Bellingham 0.9 mi 5.4
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 1.5 mi 6.4
Fairhaven Middle School Bellingham 1.4 mi 6.3
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 1.8 mi 7.9
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 1.9 mi
Bellingham High School Bellingham 2.1 mi 6.6
Options High School Bellingham 2.1 mi 4.6
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 8.1
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 4.8

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
Gig Harbor High Gig Harbor, WA 6.5
LAKESIDE SCHOOL Seattle, WA 6.5
Meadowdale High School Lynnwood, WA 6.5
Bellingham High School Bellingham, WA 6.6
Fife High School Tacoma, WA 6.4
JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Burien, WA 6.6

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 ranks #1,021 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Sehome High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sehome High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Sehome High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sehome High School has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.3%

District

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

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