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Average

#1073 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 48% 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

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,073 of 2,228

In Bellingham

#10 of 29

public schools

In district

#10 of 24

Bellingham School District

Equity

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Squalicum High School

6.4/10

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

Northern Heights Elementary Schl

6.9/10

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

Silver Beach Elementary School

7.5/10

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

About Squalicum High School

Squalicum High School is a public high school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Squalicum High School serves approximately 1,241 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. Squalicum High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,073 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Squalicum High School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

What Parents Should Know

43% of students at Squalicum 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 Progress4.3Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.7% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College Readiness9.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation35.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,886
Chronic Absenteeism43.4%

Squalicum High School — Students at Squalicum High School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
35.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 75.9% (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
48%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
86%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
84%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
70%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
75%
2022
ELA
78%
2024
Math
30.1%
ELA
63.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.

How Squalicum High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in WA
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.8
Sports
20
9 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
35.2% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics20sports offered
9 boys'·11 girls'·20 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

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. Bellingham Re-Engagement Program (rated 8.1/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bellingham High School (rated 6.6/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 6.9
Silver Beach Elementary School Bellingham 1.1 mi 7.5
Roosevelt Elementary School Bellingham 1.4 mi 6.0
BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham 1.5 mi 6.0
Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham 1.7 mi
Kulshan Middle School Bellingham 2.7 mi 6.7
Geneva Elementary School Bellingham 2.7 mi 5.7
Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham 2.2 mi 6.2
WHATCOM HILLS WALDORF SCHOOL Bellingham 3.1 mi 6.6
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 3.2 mi 6.4
Options High School Bellingham 2.9 mi 4.6
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 2.7 mi 7.2
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 3.0 mi 8.4
Bellingham High School Bellingham 3.0 mi 6.6
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 3.4
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 3.4 mi 8.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Fife High School Tacoma, WA 6.4
Everett High School Everett, WA 6.5
Gig Harbor High Gig Harbor, WA 6.5
LAKESIDE SCHOOL Seattle, WA 6.5
Meadowdale High School Lynnwood, WA 6.5
Sehome High School Bellingham, WA 6.5

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 ranks #1,073 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Squalicum High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Squalicum High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Squalicum High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Squalicum High School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.4%

District

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

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