- Wade King Elementary School — 2.1 mi · Grades PK–5 · 297 students
- Geneva Elementary School — 2.9 mi · Grades PK–5 · 412 students
- Kulshan Middle School — 3.1 mi · Grades 6–8 · 575 students
- Carl Cozier Elementary School — 4.0 mi · Grades PK–5 · 325 students
- Sehome High School — 4.0 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,116 students
- Happy Valley Elementary School — 4.1 mi · Grades PK–5 · 455 students
- Silver Beach Elementary School — 4.4 mi · Grades PK–5 · 357 students
- Bellingham Family Partnership Program — 4.5 mi · Grades K–12 · 258 students
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| Metric | Bellingham School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 11,614 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 25 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $18,143/yr | $17,619/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham School District (this district) | 7/10 | 66th | 11,614 |
| Mount Baker School District | 4/10 | 30th | 1,692 |
| Burlington-Edison School District | 3/10 | 26th | 3,351 |
| Ferndale School District | 5/10 | 46th | 4,651 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 242 rated districts in WA → 66th percentile → 7/10.
Source: Washington OSPI SBAC ELA & Math, Meets/Exceeds Standard, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Bellingham School District
Zip code 98229 in Bellingham, Washington is served by Bellingham School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Bellingham School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
Bellingham School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 7/10, placing it in the above average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Washington’s SBAC ELA & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Washington is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Bellingham School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Washington. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 98229
Children in zip code 98229 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 98229, 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 residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. 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
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because Bellingham School District serves zip code 98229, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 98229 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 98229.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. 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 98229 data.