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Average

#983 of 2,228 schools in WA

Top 44% in state

Vista Middle School

Middle School · Ferndale School District

P.O. Box 1328, Ferndale, WA 98248

Enrollment

536

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#983 of 2,228

In Ferndale

#2 of 8

public schools

In district

#4 of 10

Ferndale School District

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Vista Middle School

6.6/10

Middle School in Ferndale · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ferndale Special Services

Nearby

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

Ferndale Re-engagement

Nearby

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

About Vista Middle School

Vista Middle School is a public middle school in Ferndale, WA, part of Ferndale School District. Vista Middle School serves approximately 536 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Vista Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #983 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Vista Middle School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

42% of students at Vista Middle 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 Progress5.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.1% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.9% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.4 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment6.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,722
Chronic Absenteeism42.2%

Vista Middle School — Students at Vista Middle School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 46.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 58.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (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
62%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
41%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
35.2%
ELA
56%
2024
Math
39.1%
ELA
49.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.9/10.

How Vista Middle School Compares

See how Vista Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
56th percentile in WA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.2%

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

P.O. Box 1328, Ferndale, WA 98248

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vista Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Shuksan Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Bellingham), a more accessible option. Additionally, Horizon Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ferndale, see our Ferndale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Ferndale Special Services Ferndale 0.1 mi
FERNDALE RE-ENGAGEMENT Ferndale 0.1 mi
Skyline Elementary School Ferndale 0.2 mi 5.8
Ferndale High School Ferndale 0.7 mi 4.3
Ferndale Virtual Academy Ferndale 0.7 mi 4.2
Cascadia Elementary Ferndale 0.8 mi 4.7
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NW Ferndale 0.8 mi 3.5
Central Elementary Ferndale 1.1 mi 7.7
Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale 1.0 mi 4.9
Horizon Middle School Ferndale 1.1 mi 5.0
Custer Elem Custer 4.4 mi 7.7
Meridian Parent Partnership Program Bellingham 4.9 mi 6.1
Meridian Special Programs Bellingham 5.0 mi
Meridian High School Bellingham 5.0 mi 5.3
Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham 6.6 mi 4.9
Cordata Elementary School Bellingham 6.0 mi 2.9
Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham 7.3 mi 4.5
Shuksan Middle School Bellingham 7.2 mi 5.1
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement Bellingham 7.7 mi
Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine 7.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98248 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,566

Median Home Value

$550,300

Median Rent

$1,455/mo

Population

28,061

College Educated

31%

Homeownership

76.6%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

37.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cougar Mountain Middle School Graham, WA 6.6
Foothills Middle School Wenatchee, WA 6.6
Harbor Ridge Middle School Gig Harbor, WA 6.6
Horizon Middle School Spokane Valley, WA 6.6
Lake Stevens Middle School Lake Stevens, WA 6.6
Mt. Solo Middle School Longview, WA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vista Middle School

What grades does Vista Middle School serve?

Vista Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Vista Middle School?

Vista Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 536 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vista Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Vista Middle School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vista Middle School rank in WA?

Vista Middle School ranks #983 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Vista Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vista Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Vista Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Vista Middle School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Vista Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Vista Middle School a Title I school?

No, Vista Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vista Middle School?

58.2% of students at Vista Middle 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
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
536
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Whatcom County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.2%

District

Ferndale School District
District Enrollment
4,643
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,722
District Rank
#4 of 10

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