For the 2025 school year, there are 78 public schools serving 27,692 students in Whatcom County, WA (there are 22 private schools, serving 4,941 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Whatcom County, WA are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Whatcom County, WA are Sehome High School, Silver Beach Elementary School and Bellingham High 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 38% (versus the Washington public school average of 40%), 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 52% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Whatcom County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Sehome High School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2700 Bill Mcdonald Pkwy
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6481
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6481
Grades: 9-12
| 1,175 students
Rank: #22.
Silver Beach Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4101 Academy St
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6443
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6443
Grades: PK-5
| 342 students
Rank: #33.
Bellingham High School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2020 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6575
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6575
Grades: 9-12
| 1,188 students
Rank: #44.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
914 15th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6430
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6430
Grades: PK-5
| 308 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Nooksack Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3333 Breckenridge Rd.
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 966-3321
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 966-3321
Grades: PK-5
| 378 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Parkview Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3030 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6433
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6433
Grades: PK-5
| 387 students
Rank: #77.
Lynden High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1201 Bradley Rd
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-4401
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-4401
Grades: 9-12
| 968 students
Rank: #88.
Columbia Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2508 Utter St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6413
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6413
Grades: PK-5
| 210 students
Rank: #99.
Isom Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
8461 Benson Rd
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-1992
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-1992
Grades: K-5
| 414 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Kulshan Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1250 Kenoyer Dr
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-4886
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-4886
Grades: 6-8
| 599 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Meridian Parent Partnership Program
Alternative School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
240 W Laurel Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-9324
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-9324
Grades: K-8
| 222 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Blaine High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1055 H Street
Blaine, WA 98230
(360) 332-6045
Blaine, WA 98230
(360) 332-6045
Grades: 9-12
| 589 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Nooksack Valley High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3326 East Badger Road
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 966-0106
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 966-0106
Grades: 7-12
| 504 students
Rank: #1414.
Squalicum High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3773 E Mcleod Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6471
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6471
Grades: 9-12
| 1,241 students
Rank: #1515.
Vossbeck Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1301 Bridgeview Dr
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-0488
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-0488
Grades: K-5
| 479 students
Rank: #1616.
Fairhaven Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
110 Park Ridge Rd
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6450
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6450
Grades: 6-8
| 581 students
Rank: #1717.
Wade King Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2155 Yew Street Rd
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6840
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6840
Grades: PK-5
| 315 students
Rank: #1818.
Bellingham Family Partnership Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1409 18th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6424
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6424
Grades: K-12
| 254 students
Rank: #1919.
Northern Heights Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4000 Magrath Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 647-6820
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 647-6820
Grades: PK-5
| 420 students
Rank: #2020.
Meridian High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
194 W Laurel Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-8111
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 398-8111
Grades: 9-12
| 537 students
Rank: #2121.
Intergenerational High School
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Bellis Fair Parkway, # 104
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 927-1119
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 927-1119
Grades: 9-12
| 69 students
Rank: #2222.
Beach Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3786 Centerview Road
Lummi Island, WA 98262
(360) 383-9440
Lummi Island, WA 98262
(360) 383-9440
Grades: K-5
| 38 students
Rank: #2323.
Whatcom Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
810 Halleck St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6460
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6460
Grades: 6-8
| 639 students
Rank: #2424.
Ferndale Virtual Academy
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5830 Golden Eagle Drive, Po Bo
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9210
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9210
Grades: K-12
| 123 students
Rank: #2525.
Sunnyland Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2800 James St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6446
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6446
Grades: PK-5
| 328 students
Rank: #2626.
Ferndale High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5830 Golden Eagle Drive
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9240
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9240
Grades: 9-12
| 1,338 students
Rank: #2727.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1041 24th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6420
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6420
Grades: PK-5
| 468 students
Rank: #2828.
Mount Baker Senior High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4936 Deming Rd
Deming, WA 98244
(360) 383-2015
Deming, WA 98244
(360) 383-2015
Grades: 9-12
| 494 students
Rank: #2929.
Carl Cozier Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1330 Lincoln St
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6410
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6410
Grades: PK-5
| 342 students
Rank: #3030.
Geneva Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1401 Geneva St
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6416
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 676-6416
Grades: PK-5
| 424 students
Rank: #3131.
Vista Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6051 Vista Drive
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9370
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9370
Grades: 6-8
| 536 students
Rank: #3232.
Lynden Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
8750 Line Rd
Lynden, WA 98264
(206) 354-2952
Lynden, WA 98264
(206) 354-2952
Grades: 6-8
| 705 students
Rank: #3333.
Custer Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7660 Custer School Road
Custer, WA 98240
(360) 383-9500
Custer, WA 98240
(360) 383-9500
Grades: K-5
| 367 students
Rank: #3434.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2900 Yew St
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6440
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 676-6440
Grades: PK-5
| 373 students
Rank: #35 - 3635. - 36.
Harmony Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5060 Sand Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 383-2050
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 383-2050
Grades: K-6
| 292 students
Show 43 more public schools in Whatcom County, WA (out of 78 total schools)
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Whatcom County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
3408 Redwood Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6437
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6437
Grades: PK
| 67 students
Alternative Education At Nooksack Valley High School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
3326 East Badger Rd
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 988-2641
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 988-2641
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
1306 Dupont Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6400
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6400
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
770 Mitchell Ave
Blaine, WA 98230
(360) 966-0106
Blaine, WA 98230
(360) 966-0106
Grades: 6-12
| 52 students
Community Transitions 18-21 High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2036 Ellis St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-5092
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-5092
Grades: 9-12
| 26 students
Discovery Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1306 Dupont St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 738-6235
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 738-6235
Grades: 2-11
| 12 students
Ferndale Family Connections (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
5275 Northwest Avenue
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9289
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9289
Grades: K-10
| n/a students
Home Port Learning Center (Closed 2018)
Alternative School
707 Astor St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-2627
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-2627
Grades: 8-12
| 8 students
2334 Lummi View Drive
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 758-3147
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 758-3147
Grades: K-8
| n/a students
Martin Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1306 Dupont St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-2787
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-2787
Grades: 6-12
| 22 students
194 W. Laurel Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 966-7076
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 966-7076
Grades: 7-12
| 39 students
5604 Mission Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 988-2641
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 988-2641
Grades: 7-12
| 33 students
3326 East Badger Rd
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 988-7058
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 988-7058
Grades: K-12
| 5 students
5275 Northwest Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 383-9554
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 383-9554
Grades: PK-6
| n/a students
Svi 1418 Re-engagement Program Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2120 South Jackson Street
Deming, WA 98244
(206) 934-4950
Deming, WA 98244
(206) 934-4950
Grades: 9-12
| 48 students
960 East Hemmi Rd
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 398-8018
Everson, WA 98247
(360) 398-8018
Grades: 4-5
| 183 students
Timber Ridge (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
5604 Mission Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 966-0106
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 966-0106
Grades: 6-12
| 17 students
Timber Ridge High School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
5604 Mission Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 966-0106
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 966-0106
Grades: 7-12
| 20 students
5275 Northwest Ave
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9289
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 383-9289
Grades: 9-12
| 1 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Whatcom County, WA?
The top ranked public schools in Whatcom County, WA include Sehome High School, Silver Beach Elementary School and Bellingham High 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?
85% of all K-12 students in Whatcom County are educated in public schools (compared to the WA state average of 90%).
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 52% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Whatcom County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Whatcom County include: Shuksan Middle School vs. Whatcom Middle School, Kulshan Middle School vs. Fairhaven Middle School, Fairhaven Middle School vs. Kulshan Middle School
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