Average
#1481 of 2,225 schools in WA
Whatcom Middle School
Middle School · Bellingham School District
810 Halleck St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Enrollment
639
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
639
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bellingham
#23 of 27
public schools
Washington middle schools
#192 of 374
In district
#21 of 24
Bellingham School District
Equity
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Whatcom Middle School
Whatcom Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Bellingham, Washington. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 639 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1 with 36 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Whatcom Middle School is rated at 5.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 55th percentile among Washington state schools.
In terms of proficiency rates, 54% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 51% in math, and 45% in science. While these scores show areas for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and academic growth. Whatcom Middle School is situated in a small city setting within Whatcom County, offering a supportive community environment for its students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Whatcom Middle School — Students at Whatcom Middle School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.3%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.1/10.
How Whatcom Middle School Compares
See how Whatcom Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 49.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 49.1% (2024).
Location
810 Halleck St, Bellingham, WA 98225
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whatcom Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Parkview Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bellingham, see our Bellingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Whatcom Co Detention Center Bellingham | 0.3 mi | — |
| CEDAR TREE MONTESSORI Bellingham | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bellingham | 0.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Bellingham High School Bellingham | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Options High School Bellingham | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Parkview Elementary School Bellingham | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| GARDENVIEW MONTESSORI Bellingham | 0.5 mi | — |
| Columbia Elementary School Bellingham | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| ST PAUL'S ACADEMY Bellingham | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY Bellingham | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Sunnyland Elementary School Bellingham | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham | 1.2 mi | — |
| Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Intergenerational High School Bellingham | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham | 1.4 mi | — |
| Shuksan Middle School Bellingham | 1.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Blaine Re-Engagement Blaine | 1.5 mi | — |
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 Whatcom Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Drum Intermediate University Pla, WA | 5.6 |
| Illahee Middle School Federal Way, WA | 5.6 |
| Mason Middle School Tacoma, WA | 5.6 |
| McKnight Middle School Renton, WA | 5.6 |
| Park Middle School Kennewick, WA | 5.6 |
| Wahluke Junior High Mattawa, WA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whatcom Middle School
What grades does Whatcom Middle School serve?
Whatcom Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Whatcom Middle School?
Whatcom Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 639 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whatcom Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Whatcom Middle School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whatcom Middle School rank in WA?
Whatcom Middle School is ranked #1481 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Whatcom Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Whatcom Middle School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Whatcom Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whatcom Middle School has 51.3% math proficiency and 54.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whatcom Middle School a charter school?
No, Whatcom Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whatcom Middle School a Title I school?
No, Whatcom Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whatcom Middle School?
46.3% of students at Whatcom 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
- City Safety
- High (4,115/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bellingham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 639
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Whatcom County
- Phone
- (360) 676-6460
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bellingham School District- District Enrollment
- 11,487
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,886
- District Rank
- #21 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 methodologyRelated reading
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