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Average

#1444 of 2,228 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,444 of 2,228

In Bellingham

#17 of 29

public schools

In district

#15 of 24

Bellingham School District

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Whatcom Middle School

5.6/10

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

Whatcom Co Detention Center

Nearby

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

Cedar Tree Montessori

6.7/10

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

About Whatcom Middle School

Whatcom Middle School is a public middle school in Bellingham, WA, part of Bellingham School District. Whatcom Middle School serves approximately 639 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Whatcom Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,444 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Whatcom Middle School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

37% of students at Whatcom 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 Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.4% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.1% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg+10.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.6 pts
Overall Proficiency49% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,886
Chronic Absenteeism37.1%

Whatcom Middle School — Students at Whatcom Middle School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 69.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 32 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
82%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
76%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
78%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
70%
ELA
79%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
76%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
73%
2022
Math
43.6%
ELA
54%
2024
Math
49.6%
ELA
49.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.

How Whatcom Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in WA
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.1%

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

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 Bellingham Re-Engagement Program (rated 8.1/10, 0.3 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 6.6
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program Bellingham 0.3 mi 8.1
Options High School Bellingham 0.4 mi 4.6
EXPLORATIONS ACADEMY Bellingham 0.6 mi 7.9
Parkview Elementary School Bellingham 0.8 mi 7.2
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 6.2
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL Bellingham 1.2 mi
Carl Cozier Elementary School Bellingham 1.2 mi 6.4
Intergenerational High School Bellingham 1.9 mi 3.4
Visions (Seamar Youth Center) Bellingham 1.4 mi
Shuksan Middle School Bellingham 1.7 mi 5.1
Birchwood Elementary School Bellingham 1.6 mi 4.5
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cedarcrest School Marysville, WA 5.6
Enterprise Middle School West Richland, WA 5.6
Jason Lee Middle School Vancouver, WA 5.6
McKnight Middle School Renton, WA 5.6
Orchard Middle School Wenatchee, WA 5.6
Pauline Flett Middle School Spokane, 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 ranks #1,444 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Whatcom Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Whatcom Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Whatcom Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whatcom Middle School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
51 Good Transit
Bike Score
100 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.1%

District

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

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