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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Bellingham Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 35 public schools serving 13,729 students in Bellingham, WA (there are 15 private schools, serving 1,845 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Bellingham, WA are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Bellingham, WA are Silver Beach Elementary School, Kulshan Middle School and Bellingham High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bellingham, WA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Washington public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 53% statewide average). Schools in Bellingham have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Washington public schools.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Washington public school average of 53% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Bellingham, WA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Silver Beach Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4101 Academy St
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6443
Gr: PK-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #22.
Kulshan Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1250 Kenoyer Dr
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-4886
Gr: 6-8 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Bellingham High School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2020 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6575
Gr: 9-12 | 1,165 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
Sehome High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2700 Bill Mcdonald Pkwy
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6481
Gr: 9-12 | 1,116 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #55.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
914 15th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6430
Gr: PK-5 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #66.
Parkview Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3030 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6433
Gr: PK-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #77.
Fairhaven Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
110 Park Ridge Rd
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6450
Gr: 6-8 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Columbia Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2508 Utter St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6413
Gr: PK-5 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Wade King Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2155 Yew Street Rd
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6840
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Meridian High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
194 W Laurel Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-8111
Gr: 9-12 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1111.
Squalicum High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3773 E Mcleod Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6471
Gr: 9-12 | 1,273 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
Northern Heights Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4000 Magrath Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 647-6820
Gr: PK-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1313.
Whatcom Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
810 Halleck St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6460
Gr: 6-8 | 637 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1414.
Meridian Parent Partnership Program
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
240 W Laurel Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-9324
Gr: K-8 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1515.
Bellingham Family Partnership Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1409 18th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6424
Gr: K-12 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1616.
Geneva Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1401 Geneva St
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6416
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1717.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1041 24th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6420
Gr: PK-5 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1818.
Sunnyland Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2800 James St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6446
Gr: PK-5 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1919.
Carl Cozier Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1330 Lincoln St
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6410
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2020.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2900 Yew St
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6440
Gr: PK-5 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2121.
Visions (Seamar Youth Center)
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1603 E Illinois St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 647-6871
Gr: 6-12 | 11 students Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2222.
Harmony Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5060 Sand Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 383-2050
Gr: K-6 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2323.
Intergenerational High School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Bellis Fair Parkway, # 104
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 927-1119
Gr: 9-12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #2424.
Shuksan Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2717 Alderwood Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6454
Gr: 6-8 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2525.
Alderwood Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3400 Hollywood Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6404
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2626.
Irene Reither Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
954 E. Hemmi Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-2111
Gr: PK-5 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2727.
Options High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2015 Franklin St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 647-6871
Gr: 9-12 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2828.
Birchwood Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3200 Pinewood Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6466
Gr: PK-5 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2929.
Cordata Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4420 Aldrich Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6461
Gr: PK-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: n/an/a
Bellingham Re-engagement Program
Alternative School
1985 Barkley Blvd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6400
Gr: 9-12 | 110 students Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
Lummi High School
2334 Lummi View Drive
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 758-4300
Gr: 9-12 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Rank: n/an/a
Lummi Nation Tribal School
2334 Lummi View Drive
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 758-4300
Gr: K-8 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: n/an/a
Meridian Impact Re-engagement
Alternative School
3028 Lindbergh Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 318-2280
Gr: 9-12 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
Meridian Special Programs
Special Education School
214 W Laurel Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(206) 398-7111
Gr: PK | 26 students Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: n/an/a
Whatcom Co Detention Center
311 Grand Ave 6th Fl
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6707
Gr: 8-12 | 4 students Minority enrollment: 25%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Bellingham, WA?
The top-ranked public schools in Bellingham, WA include Silver Beach Elementary School, Kulshan Middle School and Bellingham High School.
How many public schools are located in Bellingham?
35 public schools are located in Bellingham.
What percentage of students in Bellingham go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Bellingham are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Bellingham?
Bellingham public schools minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Washington public schools average of 53% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Bellingham are often viewed compared to one another?

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