Very Good
#663 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 30% in state
Squalicum High School
High School · Bellingham School District
3773 E McLeod Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226
Enrollment
1,241
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,241
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bellingham
#12 of 27
public schools
Washington high schools
#78 of 476
In district
#11 of 24
Bellingham School District
Equity
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Squalicum High School
Squalicum High School serves 1,241 students in grades 9-12 in Bellingham, Washington, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger academic performers. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranking #282 out of 2,261 Washington high schools, the school places in the 88th percentile statewide. The academic program shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 78% of students score proficient or above across grade levels, contributing to an impressive 9.2 academic score.
The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20:1 with 62 full-time equivalent teachers supporting the student body. This staffing level allows for reasonably sized classes while serving the sizable enrollment typical of a comprehensive high school. Squalicum draws from a stable middle-class community in the 98226 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $71,943 and 38% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area's low poverty rate of 11.5% reflects the economic stability of families in this Whatcom County neighborhood. Located on East McLeod Road, the school sits within Bellingham's small city setting, providing students with both community connection and access to the cultural and educational opportunities of this Pacific Northwest college town.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Squalicum High School — Students at Squalicum High School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.2%
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: 7.0/10.
How Squalicum High School Compares
See how Squalicum High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 30.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 63.7% (2024).
Location
3773 E McLeod Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Squalicum High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bellingham High School (rated 6.2/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bellingham Re-Engagement Program (rated 6.0/10, 3.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Heights Elementary Schl Bellingham | 0.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Silver Beach Elementary School Bellingham | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Bellingham | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham | 1.7 mi | — |
| Kulshan Middle School Bellingham | 2.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Geneva Elementary School Bellingham | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| WHATCOM HILLS WALDORF SCHOOL Bellingham | 3.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham | 3.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Options High School Bellingham | 2.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Parkview Elementary School Bellingham | 2.7 mi | 8.2 |
| ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham | 3.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Bellingham High School Bellingham | 3.0 mi | 6.2 |
| EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham | 3.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Whatcom Middle School Bellingham | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham | 3.3 mi | — |
| CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Intergenerational High School Bellingham | 3.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham | 3.4 mi | 6.0 |
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 Squalicum High 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Kitsap High School Silverdale, WA | 7.2 |
| Mercer Island High School Mercer Island, WA | 7.2 |
| Roosevelt High School Seattle, WA | 7.2 |
| Shorecrest High School Shoreline, WA | 7.2 |
| Lincoln High School Seattle, WA | 7.3 |
| Everett High School Everett, WA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Squalicum High School
What grades does Squalicum High School serve?
Squalicum High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Squalicum High School?
Squalicum High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,241 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Squalicum High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Squalicum High School is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Squalicum High School rank in WA?
Squalicum High School is ranked #663 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Squalicum High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Squalicum High School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Squalicum High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Squalicum High School has 32.1% math proficiency and 70.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Squalicum High School a charter school?
No, Squalicum High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Squalicum High School a Title I school?
No, Squalicum High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Squalicum High School?
49.2% of students at Squalicum 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
- Walk Score
- 13 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 22 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 18 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,115/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellingham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,241
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Whatcom County
- Phone
- (360) 676-6471
- 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
- #11 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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