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Average

#1665 of 2,228 schools in WA

Shuksan Middle School

Middle School · Bellingham School District

2717 Alderwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

578

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,665 of 2,228

In Bellingham

#21 of 29

public schools

In district

#17 of 24

Bellingham School District

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Shuksan Middle School

5.1/10

Middle School in Bellingham · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Birchwood Elementary School

4.5/10

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

The Franklin Academy

7.9/10

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

About Shuksan Middle School

Shuksan Middle School is a public middle school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Shuksan Middle School serves approximately 578 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Shuksan Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,665 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Shuksan Middle School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at Shuksan Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.8% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.2% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-10.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,886
Chronic Absenteeism45.7%

Shuksan Middle School — Students at Shuksan Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 49.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 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
39%
ELA
59%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
46%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
36%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
50%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
44%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
23.7%
ELA
41%
2024
Math
27.9%
ELA
35.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.

How Shuksan Middle School Compares

See how Shuksan Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
25th percentile in WA
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.7%

Programs & Offerings

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

2717 Alderwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shuksan Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bellingham Re-Engagement Program (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 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
Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham 0.3 mi 4.5
THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham 0.7 mi 7.9
Intergenerational High School Bellingham 0.7 mi 3.4
ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham 0.7 mi 6.9
Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine 1.0 mi
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham 1.0 mi
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham 1.1 mi 6.5
GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham 1.4 mi
Cordata Elementary School Bellingham 1.6 mi 2.9
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 1.4 mi 6.7
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 1.2 mi 7.2
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 1.5 mi 8.1
Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham 1.1 mi 4.9
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 1.7 mi 5.6
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 1.9 mi
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 1.9 mi 8.4
Bellingham High School Bellingham 2.0 mi 6.6
Options High School Bellingham 2.0 mi 4.6
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 2.6 mi
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 2.2 mi 7.9

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
Daybreak Middle Battle Ground, WA 5.1
Edgemont Jr High Edgewood, WA 5.1
Glover Middle School Spokane, WA 5.1
Highland Middle School Bellevue, WA 5.1
Shahala Middle School Vancouver, WA 5.1
Sierra Vista Middle School Sunnyside, WA 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shuksan Middle School

What grades does Shuksan Middle School serve?

Shuksan Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Shuksan Middle School?

Shuksan Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 578 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shuksan Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Shuksan Middle School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shuksan Middle School rank in WA?

Shuksan Middle School ranks #1,665 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Shuksan Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shuksan Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Shuksan Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shuksan Middle School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Shuksan Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Shuksan Middle School a Title I school?

No, Shuksan Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shuksan Middle School?

61.1% of students at Shuksan Middle 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
33 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
77 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
578
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Whatcom County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.7%

District

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

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