- Enrollment
- 1,325
- Students per teacher
- 18.9:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Ferndale, WA
Central Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Central Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 51/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 530285000458
👥 S:T ratio 45
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 37
📋 Attendance 53
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central Elementary earns 51/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 80% of Washington schools.
- #1 of 8
- public schools in Ferndale · Resource Index
- 51
- Resource Index · Higher
- 13.7:1
- small classes for Washington
- 57.6%
- free-lunch eligible
Central Elementary has class sizes smaller than 80% of Washington schools. Computed live against every Washington school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elementary ranks #1 of 8 public schools in Ferndale, WA.
School address
District: Ferndale School District · Washington
NCES ID 530285000458 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+10 students YoY
Central Elementary held near 321 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+10 headcount).
Teacher FTE held 23.9 → 23.8 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+10 students YoY 530285000458 · Ferndale, WA Other · SMALL · TRAD
315 enr · 13.7:1 · 57.6% lunch · RII 51
Nearest enrollment peer: Ferndale High School (1,325 students)
Central Elementary held near 321 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+10 headcount). Teacher FTE held 23.9 → 23.8 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Washington schools → · Find another →
Central Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Ferndale High
Ferndale High School
1,325 students
- Vista Middle S
Vista Middle School
550 students
- Skyline Elemen 496
Skyline Elementary School
496 students
- Eagleridge Ele 457
Eagleridge Elementary
457 students
- Cascadia Eleme 440
Cascadia Elementary
440 students
- This school 315
Central Elementary
315 students
What this shows Central Elementary reports 315 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central Elementary compares
Central Elementary held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Washington and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Washington | Washington avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.7:1 | ▼ 22% | 17.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 57.6% | ▲ 28% | 45.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 315 | top 61% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.7:1
Leaner classes than 60% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
315
Bigger than 34% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
57.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 28% above the Washington average of 45.0%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.7:1
students per teacher
- 22% below state mean
Top 20% in Washington - lower ratio than 80% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
18.7%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$18,722
per pupil, district-wide
- below Washington avg of $20,912
Somewhat above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 315 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
2
in-school suspensions + 7 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.6 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.9 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 58.4%
Hispanic or Latino 24.4%
Two or More 9.2%
Asian 5.7%
African American 1.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%
Largest group: White at 58.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 58.7/100
Simpson diversity index - at 58.7, Central Elementary is more mixed than the Washington school average of 53.3.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Ferndale School District reports $18,722 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Central Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndale High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Vista Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Skyline Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Eagleridge Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Cascadia Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Central Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 550
- Students per teacher
- 15.7:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 496
- Students per teacher
- 17.1:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 457
- Students per teacher
- 14.3:1
- Resource Index
- 50/100
- Enrollment
- 440
- Students per teacher
- 14.2:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
Similar other schools in Ferndale
2 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~315 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central Elementary
How many students attend Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has 315 students enrolled. It is a public school in Ferndale, WA. CCD year-over-year: 311 (2022-23) → 321 (2023-24), nearly flat (+10).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 13.7:1, which is 22% lower than the Washington average of 17.6:1 and 13% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central Elementary?
57.6% of students at Central Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Washington average of 45.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Central Elementary is White at 58.4% of enrollment, in Ferndale, WA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 58.7/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central Elementary?
Central Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 51/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Central Elementary rank among public schools in Ferndale?
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elementary ranks #1 of 8 public schools in Ferndale, WA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in Ferndale on the city page.
What other schools are in Ferndale School District?
Besides Central Elementary, Ferndale School District also operates Ferndale High School (1,325 students), Vista Middle School (550 students), and Skyline Elementary School (496 students). See the Ferndale School District district page for the complete list.