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Very Good

#26 of 381 private schools in WA

Top 7% of private schools

The Franklin Academy

Elementary School

3000 NW AVE, Bellingham, WA 98225

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 25 schools in Bellingham. Learn more

Enrollment

263

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Bellingham

#2 of 9

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#15 of 231

About The Franklin Academy

The Franklin Academy in Bellingham serves 263 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, offering an intimate learning environment with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public elementary school provides personalized attention that many larger schools cannot match. The school has earned a solid 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #161 out of 381 schools statewide, placing it in the 58th percentile among Washington elementary schools.

This performance reflects steady educational quality within the state's competitive landscape. Located at 3000 NW Avenue in the 98225 ZIP code, The Franklin Academy sits in a diverse Bellingham neighborhood where 47% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an education-focused community environment. The area's median household income of $61,679 and median home value of $531,200 reflect a middle-class community, though with a 22.7% poverty rate, the school serves families from varied economic backgrounds.

The school's small class sizes and dedicated teaching staff position it well to address individual student needs across its K-8 grade span. The Franklin Academy operates within Bellingham's small city setting, benefiting from both urban resources and a close-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.8:1, The Franklin Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, The Franklin Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$21,061
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$18,816
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.89x — At Risk
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
73%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$4.7M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 263 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How The Franklin Academy compares to 24 public schools serving similar grades in Bellingham, WA

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
This School
vs
16.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
263
This School
vs
350
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.9
This School
vs
6.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 68.8% vs 0%
Asian 16.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.5% vs 0%
Black 0.8% vs 0%
The Franklin Academy Bellingham Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
The Franklin Academy (this school) 7.9
Columbia Elementary School 6.5
Parkview Elementary School 8.2
Birchwood Elementary School 7.1
Shuksan Middle School 6.1
Whatcom Middle School 5.6
Whatcom Co Detention Center
Sunnyland Elementary School 6.5
Alderwood Elementary School 7.9
Visions (Seamar Youth Center)
Carl Cozier Elementary School 7.8
Cordata Elementary School 5.0
Roosevelt Elementary School 6.3
Lowell Elementary School 6.0
Kulshan Middle School 8.1
Happy Valley Elementary School 7.3
Silver Beach Elementary School 8.2
Northern Heights Elementary Schl 8.1
Bellingham Family Partnership Program 3.1
Fairhaven Middle School 7.5
Wade King Elementary School 7.6

Showing 20 of 24 schools. View all schools in Bellingham

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in WA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 7.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,440
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 47%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 263
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in WA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 68.8%
Asian 16.3%
Hispanic 6.5%
Two or More 5.3%
Native American 2.3%
Black 0.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

3000 NW AVE, Bellingham, WA 98225

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Franklin Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Birchwood Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham 0.1 mi 6.9
Columbia Elementary School Bellingham 0.5 mi 6.5
GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham 0.8 mi
CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham 0.7 mi 6.7
Shuksan Middle School Bellingham 0.7 mi 6.1
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 0.8 mi 6.0
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 0.6 mi 8.2
Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham 0.7 mi 7.1
Intergenerational High School Bellingham 1.1 mi 4.1
Whatcom Middle School Bellingham 1.0 mi 5.6
Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine 0.9 mi
Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham 1.3 mi
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham 1.0 mi
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham 1.2 mi 8.4
Bellingham High School Bellingham 1.3 mi 6.2
Options High School Bellingham 1.4 mi 5.7
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 1.5 mi 7.9
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 2.0 mi
Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham 1.3 mi 6.5
Cordata Elementary School Bellingham 2.2 mi 5.0

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 The Franklin Academy 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
Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham, WA 7.9
BERTSCHI SCHOOL Seattle, WA 7.9
Chimacum Creek Primary School Chimacum, WA 7.9
Columbia Elementary School Wenatchee, WA 7.9
Columbia Elementary School Woodland, WA 7.9
Creekside Elementary School Mead, WA 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Franklin Academy

What grades does The Franklin Academy serve?

The Franklin Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend The Franklin Academy?

The Franklin Academy has an enrollment of approximately 263 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Franklin Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at The Franklin Academy is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Franklin Academy rank in WA?

The Franklin Academy is ranked #26 out of 381 private schools in WA.

What is The Franklin Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

The Franklin Academy has a composite rating of 7.9 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.

Is The Franklin Academy a private school?

Yes, The Franklin Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is The Franklin Academy a religious school?

The Franklin Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
97 Biker’s Paradise
City Safety
High (4,115/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
263
Gender Split
57% M / 43% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
WHATCOM
Data Year
2022–2023

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

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