- Happy Valley Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 455 students
- Parkview Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 422 students
- Geneva Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 412 students
- Northern Heights Elementary Schl — Grades PK–5 · 396 students
- Silver Beach Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 357 students
- Cordata Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 357 students
- Roosevelt Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 348 students
- Lowell Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 338 students
- Birchwood Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 335 students
- Carl Cozier Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 325 students
- Alderwood Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 305 students
- Wade King Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 297 students
- Sunnyland Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 288 students
- Columbia Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 187 students
- Whatcom Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 637 students
- Shuksan Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 606 students
- Fairhaven Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 588 students
- Kulshan Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 575 students
- Squalicum High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,273 students
- Bellingham High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students
- Sehome High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students
- Options High School — Grades 9–12 · 176 students
- Bellingham Re-Engagement Program — Grades 9–12 · 110 students
- Bellingham Family Partnership Program — Grades K–12 · 258 students
- Visions (Seamar Youth Center) — Grades 6–12 · 11 students
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| Metric | Bellingham School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 25 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,700/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
About Bellingham School District
Families searching for schools in Bellingham, Washington (ZIP 98225) are zoned to Bellingham School District. At 6/10 it lands near the middle of Washington districts on the data NCES reports. The district operates 25 schools, covering Pre-K – 12th. Use the district statistics and boundary map above to confirm the area, then verify your exact school assignment with the district before making a housing decision.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Bellingham School District spends approximately $14,700 per student per year, placing it near the Washington state average of approximately $14,500 and near the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 25 schools serving grades Pre-K – 12th, Bellingham School District qualifies as a large district serving students from Pre-K – 12th. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
With a rating of 6/10 (average), Bellingham School District ranks among Washington’s average-rated school systems. Our ratings are built from NCES Common Core of Data and measure structural factors: per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, enrollment stability, and school count. They do not incorporate test scores or graduation rates, which are not consistently available across all 13,500+ US districts in the NCES dataset.
Bellingham School District falls in the middle of the performance spectrum with an average rating. Average districts provide foundational public education with functional academic programs, though they may not match the resource breadth of higher-rated districts in the same region. Many families find that average-rated districts deliver solid day-to-day education, particularly when parents stay engaged and involved. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 98225
Children in zip code 98225 are assigned to Bellingham School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 98225, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Bellingham School District at (360)676-6400 or visit bellinghamschools.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Washington districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Bellingham
For families considering a purchase in the Bellingham area, district assignment matters financially. Because Bellingham School District serves zip code 98225, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 98225 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Washington, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Bellingham School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 98225.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Bellingham School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 98225 data.