Excellent
#348 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 16% 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
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
536
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ferndale
#1 of 8
public schools
Washington middle schools
#14 of 374
In district
#2 of 10
Ferndale School District
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Vista Middle School
Vista Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Ferndale, Washington. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 536 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. The academic performance at Vista Middle School reflects its commitment to continuous improvement; it currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks as the 582nd best school in Washington State among 2261 schools, placing it in the 74th percentile.
In terms of subject proficiency, 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 39% in Math, and 48% in Science. Vista Middle School is situated in a mid-size suburb where community engagement plays an important role in supporting student development. Despite the room for academic growth indicated by its current test scores, Vista Middle School continues to focus on providing quality education tailored to meet the needs of each student.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Vista Middle School — Students at Vista Middle School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How Vista Middle School Compares
See how Vista Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 38% (2019) to 39.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 49.9% (2024).
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 6.1/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Bellingham), a more accessible option. Additionally, Horizon Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 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 | 7.7 |
| Ferndale High School Ferndale | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Ferndale Virtual Academy Ferndale | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Cascadia Elementary Ferndale | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NW Ferndale | 0.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Central Elementary Ferndale | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Eagleridge Elementary Ferndale | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Horizon Middle School Ferndale | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Custer Elem Custer | 4.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Meridian Parent Partnership Program Bellingham | 4.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Meridian Special Programs Bellingham | 5.0 mi | — |
| Meridian High School Bellingham | 5.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Alderwood Elementary School Bellingham | 6.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Cordata Elementary School Bellingham | 6.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham | 7.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Shuksan Middle School Bellingham | 7.2 mi | 6.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vista Middle School has a median household income of $88,566. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $550,300, with a median rent of $1,455/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Carla Peperzak Middle School Spokane, WA | 8.1 |
| Kulshan Middle School Bellingham, WA | 8.1 |
| Totem Middle School Marysville, WA | 8.1 |
| Robert Eagle Staff Middle School Seattle, WA | 8.2 |
| Garry Middle School Spokane, WA | 7.8 |
| Highland Middle School Bellevue, WA | 7.7 |
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 is ranked #348 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Vista Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Vista Middle School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Vista Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vista Middle School has 38.8% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ferndale). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (360) 383-9370
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ferndale School District- District Enrollment
- 4,643
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,722
- District Rank
- #2 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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