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#1219 of 2,225 schools in WA

Shuksan Middle School

Middle School · Bellingham School District

2717 Alderwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

578

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellingham

#18 of 27

public schools

Washington middle schools

#135 of 374

In district

#17 of 24

Bellingham School District

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Shuksan Middle School

Shuksan Middle School is a regular public school in Bellingham, Washington, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 578 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides personalized attention to its middle schoolers. Located at 2717 Alderwood Ave, it is situated in a small city setting that offers both urban amenities and community engagement.

Academically, Shuksan Middle School has room for growth. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks 4.6 out of 10 overall, placing it at the 37th percentile among Washington state schools (#1417 out of 2261). In ELA/Reading and Math, about 38% and 29%, respectively, of students are proficient or above.

Science scores fare slightly better with 41% proficiency. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to improve academic outcomes. Shuksan Middle School sits in a supportive community that values education and encourages its young learners to grow and succeed.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.2%
Math vs. State Avg-10.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802

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 29.1%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 37.6%
School
State
49.0%

Based on 13 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
34%
ELA
44%
2022
ELA
41%
2024
Math
27.9%
ELA
35.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.

How Shuksan Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in WA
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

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 Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 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 7.1
THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham 0.7 mi 7.9
Intergenerational High School Bellingham 0.7 mi 4.1
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 5.0
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 1.4 mi 6.7
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 1.2 mi 8.2
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 1.5 mi 6.0
Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham 1.1 mi 7.9
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 6.2
Options High School Bellingham 2.0 mi 5.7
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shuksan Middle 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
Daybreak Middle Battle Ground, WA 6.1
First Creek Middle School Tacoma, WA 6.1
Glover Middle School Spokane, WA 6.1
Hockinson Middle School Brush Prairie, WA 6.1
Marcus Whitman Middle School Port Orchard, WA 6.1
McClure Middle School Seattle, WA 6.1

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 is ranked #1219 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Shuksan Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shuksan Middle School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Shuksan Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shuksan Middle School has 29.1% math proficiency and 37.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (4,115/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellingham). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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