📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (SBAC 2024–25), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
All 6 Rated Districts in Whatcom County, WA
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
| County Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bellingham School District | Bellingham | 7/10 Good | 66th |
| #2 | Meridian School District | Bellingham | 7/10 Good | 65th |
| #3 | Nooksack Valley School District | Everson | 7/10 Good | 62nd |
| #4 | Ferndale School District | Ferndale | 5/10 Average | 46th |
| #5 | Blaine School District | Blaine | 5/10 Average | 44th |
| #6 | Mount Baker School District | Deming | 4/10 Below Average | 30th |
Best School Districts in Whatcom County, Washington (2026)
This page lists the 6 public school districts headquartered in Whatcom County, Washington that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using SBAC 2024–25 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in Washington, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Whatcom County may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Whatcom County, Washington? ▼
Among the 6 rated districts in Whatcom County, Washington, the highest-rated is Bellingham School District (Bellingham), rated 7/10 (Good) and in the 66th percentile of Washington districts on SBAC 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (SBAC 2024–25), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in Washington and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.