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Average

#1020 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 46% in state

Sunnyland Elementary School

Elementary School · Bellingham School District

2800 James St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

328

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bellingham

#15 of 27

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#730 of 1,202

In district

#14 of 24

Bellingham School District

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Sunnyland Elementary School

Sunnyland Elementary School is a vibrant public school located in Bellingham, Washington, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 328 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.9:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. Sunnyland Elementary School is situated in a small city setting, offering easy access to local amenities while maintaining a close-knit community feel.

Academically, Sunnyland Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks at #932 among the state’s 2261 schools (placing it in the 59th percentile). The school's academic score is 5.7/10, with proficiency rates of 50% for ELA/Reading, 42% for Math, and 53% for Science across all grade levels. While there are areas where Sunnyland Elementary can improve in terms of standardized test scores, the school focuses on fostering a nurturing educational environment that supports student development.

Sunnyland Elementary School is well-positioned within its community to continue offering quality education and growth opportunities for its young learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.1%
Math vs. State Avg-12.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,802

Sunnyland Elementary School — Students at Sunnyland Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.4%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 49.6%
School
State
50.2%

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
52%
ELA
57%
2022
ELA
52%
2024
Math
40.1%
ELA
47.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.0/10.

How Sunnyland Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in WA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

2800 James St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sunnyland Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham 0.5 mi
Options High School Bellingham 0.8 mi 5.7
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 0.8 mi 8.4
BELLINGHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bellingham 0.7 mi 6.0
Bellingham High School Bellingham 0.8 mi 6.2
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 0.7 mi 8.2
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 1.1 mi 7.9
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 0.9 mi 5.6
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 1.1 mi
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 1.0 mi 6.7
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 1.5 mi 7.8
Roosevelt Elementary School Bellingham 1.0 mi 6.3
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 1.2 mi 6.0
ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham 1.2 mi 6.9
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham 1.3 mi 6.5
THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham 1.3 mi 7.9
GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham 1.4 mi
Intergenerational High School Bellingham 1.8 mi 4.1
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 2.1 mi
Kulshan Middle School Bellingham 2.1 mi 8.1

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 Sunnyland Elementary 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
Big Lake Elementary School Mount Vernon, WA 6.5
Carriage Crest Elementary School Renton, WA 6.5
Central Elementary School Hoquiam, WA 6.5
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham, WA 6.5
Evergreen Elementary Lakebay, WA 6.5
Fairwood Elementary School Renton, WA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sunnyland Elementary School

What grades does Sunnyland Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Sunnyland Elementary School?

Sunnyland Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 328 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunnyland Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sunnyland Elementary School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sunnyland Elementary School rank in WA?

Sunnyland Elementary School is ranked #1020 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Sunnyland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunnyland Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Sunnyland Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunnyland Elementary School has 42.4% math proficiency and 49.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sunnyland Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Sunnyland Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

50.6% of students at Sunnyland 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

City Safety
High (4,115/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
328
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.6%
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
#14 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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