Explorations Academy Photo - Our Lower Level was completely renovated in summer 2013, doubling the size of our school and vastly expanding out theatre department. We celebrated our first in-house theatre performances of Alice in Wonderland in December 2013.

Best Whatcom County Private Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 private elementary schools serving 4,742 students in Whatcom County, WA.
The top-ranked private elementary schools in Whatcom County, WA include Explorations Academy, Lynden Christian School, and Assumption Catholic School.
The average acceptance rate is 88%, which is higher than the Washington private elementary school average acceptance rate of 81%.
61% of private elementary schools in Whatcom County, WA are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Calvinist).

Top-Ranked Whatcom County Private Elementary Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Assumption Catholic School
Assumption Catholic School Photo - Assumption Catholic School Welcomes YOU!
(Catholic)
(3)
2116 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 733-6133
Gr: PK-8 | 259 students Avg. class size: 25 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Bellingham Christian School
(Christian)
1600 E Sunset Dr
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 733-7303
Gr: PK-8 | 378 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 1
Ebenezer Christian School
(Christian)
9390 Guide Meridian Rd
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-2632
Gr: PK-8 | 184 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 3 Tuition listed
Explorations Academy
Explorations Academy Photo - Here are some of our students feeling triumphant on a multi-day backpacking trip, enjoying the beauty and bounty of our region. Explorations students develop a sense of leadership, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility both in the classroom and on the field.
Alternative School
(2)
1701 Ellis St # 215
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 671-8085
Gr: 6-12 | 48 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Franklin Academy
(Christian)
1509 E. Victor Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 733-1750
Gr: NS-8 | 403 students Sports: 4 Tuition listed
Lynden Christian School
(Christian)
417 Lyncs Dr
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-5492
Gr: PK-12 | 1,210 student Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 6
515 Drayton St
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 318-9525
Gr: PK-12 | 1,311 student
Pioneer Meadows Montessori School
Montessori School
2377 Douglas Road
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 788-3681
Gr: PK-6 | 82 students Avg. class size: 25 students Tuition listed
Alger Learning Center & Independence High School
Alternative School
100 Pine Street Ste. 103
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 595-2630
Gr: PK-12 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Cascades Montessori Middle School
Montessori School
2710 Mckenzie Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 306-8723
Gr: 7-8 | 25 students
Cedar Tree Montessori
Montessori School
2114 Broadway
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 714-1762
Gr: PK-6 | 79 students Avg. class size: 24 students Tuition listed
9088 Northwood Rd
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-5436
Gr: K-8 | 29 students
Hillcrest Kids
Daycare / Preschool (Assembly of God)
1400 Larrabee Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 733-8135
Gr: NS-5 | 187 students Tuition listed
Lynden Christian School Evergreen Campus
Lynden Christian School Evergreen Campus Photo - Preschool Classroom 1
Special Program Emphasis (Calvinist)
567 E. Kellogg Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 988-3473
Gr: PK-4 | 61 students Avg. class size: 12 students
Montessori At Samish Woods
Montessori School
1027 Samish Way
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 650-9465
Gr: PK-6 | 78 students Avg. class size: 24 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Trinity Classical School
Special Program Emphasis (Presbyterian)
2826 Birchwood Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 733-2695
Gr: K-8 | 112 students
Whatcom Hills Waldorf School
Whatcom Hills Waldorf School Photo - Form drawing strengthens eye-hand coordination and spatial awareness - and is beautiful.
Special Program Emphasis
(3)
941 Austin St
Bellingham, WA 98229
(360) 733-3164
Gr: PK-8 | 237 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition listed
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Whatcom County, Washington

Whatcom County Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
5950 Portal Way
Ferndale, WA 98248
(360) 318-1347
Gr: PK-12 | 59 students Avg. class size: 12 students Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Paul's Academy (Closed 2024)
Special Program Emphasis (Christian)
1509 E. Victor Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 733-1750
Gr: PK-8 | 273 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition listed

Overview

This County (Whatcom County)
This State (WA)
# Schools
18 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
4,742 Students
102,059 Students
% Average Students of Color
14%
31%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
401 Teachers
8,469 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
45%
58%
Average Class Size
19 students
16 students
Average SAT score
1450
(Out of 1600)
1275

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$8,613
$15,374
Average % on Financial Aid
33%
27%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,167
$9,724
Average Acceptance Rate
88%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.50
0.64
# American Indian Students
31 Students
1,114 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
207 Students
7,887 Students
% Asian Students
4%
8%
# Hispanic Students
144 Students
5,493 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
5%
# Black Students
60 Students
3,197 Students
% Black Students
1%
3%
# White Students
3,159 Students
52,236 Students
% White Students
66%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
5 Students
545 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
1,168 Students
30,521 Students
% of Others Students
25%
30%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
2 extracurriculars
7 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
5 sports
5 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private elementary schools in Whatcom County, WA?
The top-ranked private elementary schools in Whatcom County, WA include Explorations Academy, Lynden Christian School, and Assumption Catholic School.
How many private elementary schools are located in Whatcom County?
17 private elementary schools are located in Whatcom County.
How diverse are private elementary schools in Whatcom County?
Whatcom County private elementary schools are approximately 14% minority students, which is lower than the Washington private school average of 31%.
What percentage of private elementary schools are religiously affiliated in Whatcom County?
61% of private elementary schools in Whatcom County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Calvinist).
Which private elementary schools in Whatcom County are often viewed compared to one another?

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