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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Whatcom County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 78 public schools serving 27,692 students in Whatcom County, WA (there are 21 private schools, serving 4,560 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Whatcom County, WA are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Whatcom County, WA are Silver Beach Elementary School, Blaine High School and Kulshan Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Whatcom County, WA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Washington public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 53% statewide average). Schools in Whatcom County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% 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 Whatcom County (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.
Blaine High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1055 H Street
Blaine, WA 98230
(360) 332-6045
Gr: 9-12 | 566 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #9 - 119. - 11.
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: #9 - 119. - 11.
Nooksack Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3333 Breckenridge Rd.
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 966-3321
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #9 - 119. - 11.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
Nooksack Valley High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3326 East Badger Road
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 966-0106
Gr: 7-12 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Isom Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8461 Benson Rd
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-1992
Gr: K-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
Lynden High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1201 Bradley Rd
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-4401
Gr: 9-12 | 1,002 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
Mount Baker Senior High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4936 Deming Rd
Deming, WA 98244
(360) 383-2015
Gr: 9-12 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2323.
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: #2424.
Vossbeck Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1301 Bridgeview Dr
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-0488
Gr: K-5 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #2525.
Beach Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3786 Centerview Road
Lummi Island, WA 98262
(360) 383-9440
Gr: K-5 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2626.
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: #2727.
Vista Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6051 Vista Drive
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9370
Gr: 6-8 | 550 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #2828.
Ferndale High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5830 Golden Eagle Drive
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9240
Gr: 9-12 | 1,325 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2929.
Lynden Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
8750 Line Rd
Lynden, WA 98264
(206) 354-2952
Gr: 6-8 | 705 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #3030.
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: #3131.
Custer Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
7660 Custer School Road
Custer, WA 98240
(360) 383-9500
Gr: K-5 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #3232.
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: #3333.
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: #3434.
Ferndale Virtual Academy
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5830 Golden Eagle Drive, Po Bo
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9210
Gr: K-12 | 154 students Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #35 - 3735. - 37.
Everson Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
216 Everson Goshen Rd.
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 966-2030
Gr: PK-5 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Show 43 more public schools in Whatcom County, WA (out of 78 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Whatcom County, WA?
The top-ranked public schools in Whatcom County, WA include Silver Beach Elementary School, Blaine High School and Kulshan Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Whatcom County?
78 public schools are located in Whatcom County.
What percentage of students in Whatcom County go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Whatcom County are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Whatcom County?
Whatcom County 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 Whatcom County are often viewed compared to one another?

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