Whatcom County Schools & Education
Whatcom County, Washington
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
46/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
79.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
79.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 81.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,431
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
46/100
Higher = better
State avg 51/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#28
of 39 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Whatcom County
School Verdict
Whatcom County has average school quality (score: 46/100) with a graduation rate of 79.9%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.
Funding Context
Whatcom County spends $9,431 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Whatcom County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 9% below the Washington average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Whatcom County, Washington
Expansive Education in the Northwest
Whatcom County maintains 75 public schools for 27,382 students across 8 school districts. This includes a healthy variety of 35 elementary schools and 19 high schools to serve its growing population.
Strong Funding Supports Local Classrooms
The county invests $9,431 per pupil, which is higher than the Washington state average of $9,250. Although the 79.9% graduation rate is slightly below the state average, the county maintains a solid school score of 53.5.
Bellingham and Ferndale Lead the Region
The Bellingham School District is the largest, educating 11,614 students across 25 schools. The county also hosts one charter school, representing about 1.3% of the total school directory.
Diverse Locales from City to Coast
The school mix is perfectly split with 26 schools in cities and 26 in rural areas, averaging 365 students per campus. Ferndale High School is the county's largest single school, with an enrollment of 1,323 students.
Explore Homes in Top School Districts
Whether you prefer the urban energy of Bellingham or the rural charm of Lynden, Whatcom County offers diverse educational settings. High-quality school options make this region a top choice for families moving to the Northwest.
School Overview
Total Schools
75
in Whatcom County
Total Enrollment
27,382
students
School Districts
8
districts
Charter Schools
1
1% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
8 School Districts in Whatcom County
Bellingham School District
Ferndale School District
Lynden School District
Blaine School District
Nooksack Valley School District
Meridian School District
Mount Baker School District
Intergenerational High School
75 Public Schools in Whatcom County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndale High School | Ferndale School District | 9–12 | High | 1,323 |
| Squalicum High School | Bellingham School District | 9–12 | High | 1,280 |
| Bellingham High School | Bellingham School District | 9–12 | High | 1,218 |
| Sehome High School | Bellingham School District | 9–12 | High | 1,163 |
| Lynden High School | Lynden School District | 9–12 | High | 962 |
| Irene Reither Elementary School | Meridian School District | PK–5 | Primary | 707 |
| Lynden Middle School | Lynden School District | 6–8 | Middle | 643 |
| Kulshan Middle School | Bellingham School District | 6–8 | Middle | 623 |
| Blaine High School | Blaine School District | 9–12 | High | 609 |
| Whatcom Middle School | Bellingham School District | 6–8 | Middle | 600 |
| Fairhaven Middle School | Bellingham School District | 6–8 | Middle | 597 |
| Shuksan Middle School | Bellingham School District | 6–8 | Middle | 579 |
| Vista Middle School | Ferndale School District | 6–8 | Middle | 572 |
| Fisher Elementary School | Lynden School District | KG–5 | Primary | 527 |
| Mount Baker Senior High | Mount Baker School District | 9–12 | High | 517 |
| Nooksack Valley High School | Nooksack Valley School District | 7–12 | High | 507 |
| Vossbeck Elementary School | Lynden School District | KG–5 | Primary | 488 |
| Meridian High School | Meridian School District | 9–12 | High | 487 |
| Blaine Elementary School | Blaine School District | 3–5 | Primary | 463 |
| Blaine Primary School | Blaine School District | PK–2 | Primary | 463 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,431
State avg $9,250
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Whatcom County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Whatcom County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Whatcom County?
How much does Whatcom County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Whatcom County, Washington — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Whatcom County, Washington?
Whatcom County maintains 75 public schools for 27,382 students across 8 school districts. This includes a healthy variety of 35 elementary schools and 19 high schools to serve its growing population.
How do schools in Whatcom County perform academically?
The county invests $9,431 per pupil, which is higher than the Washington state average of $9,250. Although the 79.9% graduation rate is slightly below the state average, the county maintains a solid school score of 53.5.
What are the major school districts in Whatcom County, Washington?
The Bellingham School District is the largest, educating 11,614 students across 25 schools. The county also hosts one charter school, representing about 1.3% of the total school directory.
What is the school experience like in Whatcom County?
The school mix is perfectly split with 26 schools in cities and 26 in rural areas, averaging 365 students per campus. Ferndale High School is the county's largest single school, with an enrollment of 1,323 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Whatcom County, Washington?
Whether you prefer the urban energy of Bellingham or the rural charm of Lynden, Whatcom County offers diverse educational settings. High-quality school options make this region a top choice for families moving to the Northwest.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.