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Average

#1161 of 2,228 schools in WA

Sunnyland Elementary School

Elementary School · Bellingham School District

2800 James St, Bellingham, WA 98225

Enrollment

328

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,161 of 2,228

In Bellingham

#12 of 29

public schools

In district

#12 of 24

Bellingham School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Sunnyland Elementary School

6.2/10

Elementary School in Bellingham · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Visions (seamar Youth Center)

Nearby

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

Options High School

4.6/10

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

About Sunnyland Elementary School

Sunnyland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Sunnyland Elementary School serves approximately 328 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunnyland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,161 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Sunnyland Elementary School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

30% of students at Sunnyland Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.84 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.1% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-12.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,886
Chronic Absenteeism30.2%

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 51.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 61.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 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
53%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
41.9%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
40.1%
ELA
47.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.2/10.

How Sunnyland Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in WA
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

Programs & Offerings

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

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 THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkview Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly 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 4.6
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 6.6
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 0.7 mi 7.2
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 6.4
Roosevelt Elementary School Bellingham 1.0 mi 6.0
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 1.2 mi 8.1
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 3.4
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 2.1 mi
Kulshan Middle School Bellingham 2.1 mi 6.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A J West Elementary Aberdeen, WA 6.2
ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Puyallup, WA 6.2
Ardmore Elementary School Bellevue, WA 6.2
Berney Elementary School Walla Walla, WA 6.2
Cedar Valley Elementary School Covington, WA 6.2
Cedarhome Elementary School Stanwood, WA 6.2

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 ranks #1,161 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Sunnyland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunnyland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Sunnyland Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunnyland Elementary School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
78 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.2%

District

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

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