Skip to main content

Excellent

#276 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 12% in state

Silver Beach Elementary School

Elementary School · Bellingham School District

4101 Academy St, Bellingham, WA 98226

Enrollment

342

Student-Teacher

20.1:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellingham

#2 of 27

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#257 of 1,202

In district

#2 of 24

Bellingham School District

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Silver Beach Elementary School

Silver Beach Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bellingham, WA, part of the Bellingham School District. The school serves approximately 342 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 20.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.6th percentile among WA schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 61% proficiency in math, 15 points above the state average and 71% in reading/language arts, 21 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $79,684, where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a small city setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Silver Beach Elementary School is 20.1:1, 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72.3%
Math vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.9 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802

Silver Beach Elementary School — Students at Silver Beach Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.1%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 71.0%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
58%
ELA
68%
2022
ELA
73%
2024
Math
61.9%
ELA
71.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.

How Silver Beach Elementary School Compares

See how Silver Beach Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
88th percentile in WA
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

4101 Academy St, Bellingham, WA 98226

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Silver Beach Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Northern Heights Elementary Schl (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Squalicum High School Bellingham 1.1 mi 7.2
Northern Heights Elementary Schl Bellingham 1.3 mi 8.1
Geneva Elementary School Bellingham 1.5 mi 7.8
Roosevelt Elementary School Bellingham 1.2 mi 6.3
Kulshan Middle School Bellingham 1.7 mi 8.1
WHATCOM HILLS WALDORF SCHOOL Bellingham 2.0 mi 6.6
Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham 1.6 mi
BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham 1.7 mi 6.0
Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham 2.2 mi 6.5
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 2.6 mi 7.8
Options High School Bellingham 2.6 mi 5.7
Wade King Elementary School Bellingham 3.7 mi 7.6
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 2.8 mi 7.9
Bellingham High School Bellingham 2.7 mi 6.2
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 2.7 mi 8.4
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 2.8 mi 8.2
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 3.0 mi 5.6
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 3.0 mi
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 3.1 mi 6.7
MONTESSORI AT SAMISH WOODS Bellingham 4.0 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98226 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,684

Median Home Value

$568,400

Median Rent

$1,557/mo

Population

45,739

College Educated

39.5%

Homeownership

62.2%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Silver Beach Elementary School has a median household income of $79,684. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $568,400, with a median rent of $1,557/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Ahtanum Valley Elementary Yakima, WA 8.2
Arrowhead Elementary Kenmore, WA 8.2
B F Day Elementary School Seattle, WA 8.2
Basin City Elem Connell, WA 8.2
Cottonwood Elementary School Yakima, WA 8.2
Crestwood Elementary Bonney Lake, WA 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Silver Beach Elementary School

What grades does Silver Beach Elementary School serve?

Silver Beach Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Silver Beach Elementary School?

Silver Beach Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 342 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Silver Beach Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Silver Beach Elementary School is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Silver Beach Elementary School rank in WA?

Silver Beach Elementary School is ranked #276 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Silver Beach Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Silver Beach Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Silver Beach Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Silver Beach Elementary School has 61.1% math proficiency and 71.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Silver Beach Elementary School a charter school?

No, Silver Beach Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Silver Beach Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Silver Beach Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Silver Beach Elementary School?

19.6% of students at Silver Beach Elementary 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
18 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
25 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
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.6%
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
#2 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.