The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in Science. The lowest is 22% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Alderwood Elementary School
Alderwood Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Bellingham’s Bellingham School District. The school sits in a city that blends a university-town feel with commercial and industrial elements, anchored by Western Washington University. Bellingham has seen steady population growth and a sharp rise in home values in recent years, putting housing cost pressure on many families. The neighborhood around Alderwood is part of this broader city context, with the downtown core, the Fairhaven district, and the WWU campus all within the city’s expanse.
Enrollment at Alderwood is moderate for an elementary school. The student body is diverse, with a White majority and a substantial Hispanic presence, along with smaller shares of students who identify as two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker that the school serves a population with significant economic need.
State assessment results from the most recent testing year show where Alderwood’s students stand in core subjects. In English language arts, about a quarter of third graders met the state’s proficiency bar, with a slightly higher share in fourth grade and about a third in fifth grade. Math results follow a similar pattern but at lower levels: roughly a fifth of third graders were proficient, a larger share in fourth grade, but only about a tenth of fifth graders. In science, tested in fifth grade, about three in ten students were proficient. Taken together, Alderwood’s overall proficiency across subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile relative to other school districts in Whatcom County. That is a softer performance picture, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the supports in place and how the school is working to raise achievement.
Alderwood operates under the Bellingham School District, which has made some notable shifts in recent years. Voters approved a capital bond and technology levy in 2022, funding facility improvements, safety upgrades, and student technology across the district through 2026. The district has also been expanding its International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program across elementary schools; several schools have adopted the IB PYP in recent years, though Alderwood’s own program status is not specified in the available data. IB PYP is an inquiry-based curriculum framework that some families seek out, so it is worth asking whether Alderwood offers it or is moving in that direction.
The school itself is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. Information on special populations, such as students with individualized education programs and English learners, was not available in the data provided. Discipline statistics, course access, staffing ratios, and attendance data were also absent. A parent considering Alderwood would want to ask the school directly about these areas, particularly how the school supports students who are learning English and how class sizes and teacher experience look.
Bellingham is a city with a walkable downtown and historic Fairhaven district, but it is bisected by Interstate 5, which creates a physical barrier between neighborhoods. Whatcom Creek runs through the city center, and the waterfront has been undergoing redevelopment. Major employers include PeaceHealth, Western Washington University, and local government. The city’s median household income is below the county median, and a substantial share of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, reflecting the university’s influence. The Lummi Indian Reservation is a short drive northwest, and Mount Baker is visible from many parts of the city.
For families, Alderwood Elementary offers an elementary program in a district that has been investing in capital improvements and expanding its IB offerings at other schools. The school’s academic results are below county averages, and the student population faces high economic need. The Bellingham context provides a culturally rich city with a strong university presence, but housing costs are steep and have risen quickly. This is a school where a parent would likely want to engage directly with staff to understand the instructional approach, support structures, and any planned program changes before making a decision.
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