- Enrollment
- 765
- Students per teacher
- 16.6:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Bellingham, WA
Meridian High School
Federal NCES profile for Meridian High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 51/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 530501000768
👥 S:T ratio 18
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 50
📋 Attendance 65
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Meridian High School earns 51/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 81% of Washington schools.
- #1 of 4
- public schools in Bellingham · Resource Index
- 51
- Resource Index · Higher
- 20.5:1
- large classes for Washington
- 25.7%
- free-lunch eligible
Meridian High School has class sizes larger than 81% of Washington schools. Computed live against every Washington school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Meridian High School ranks #1 of 4 public schools in Bellingham, WA.
School address
District: Meridian School District · Washington
NCES ID 530501000768 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+50 students YoY
Meridian High School grew from 487 students in 2022-23 to 537 in 2023-24 (+10.3%).
Teacher FTE held 26.4 → 26.4 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+50 students YoY 530501000768 · Bellingham, WA High · MID · TRAD
534 enr · 20.5:1 · 25.7% lunch · RII 51
Nearest enrollment peer: Irene Reither Elementary School (765 students)
Meridian High School grew from 487 students in 2022-23 to 537 in 2023-24 (+10.3%). Teacher FTE held 26.4 → 26.4 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Washington schools → · Find another →
Meridian High School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Irene Reither
Irene Reither Elementary School
765 students
- This school
Meridian High School
534 students
- Meridian Middl
Meridian Middle School
350 students
- Meridian Paren 208
Meridian Parent Partnership Program
208 students
- Meridian Speci 26
Meridian Special Programs
26 students
- Meridian Impac 21
Meridian Impact Re-Engagement
21 students
What this shows Meridian High School reports 534 students on the CCD universe file.
How Meridian High School compares
Meridian High School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Washington and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Washington | Washington avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 20.5:1 | ▲ 16% | 17.6:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 25.7% | ▼ 43% | 45.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 534 | top 27% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
20.5:1
Leaner classes than 14% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
534
Bigger than 66% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
25.7%
free-lunch eligible
- 43% below the Washington average of 45.0%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
20.5:1
students per teacher
- 16% above state mean
Top 81% in Washington - lower ratio than 19% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
14.2%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
Funding equity
$16,219
per pupil, district-wide
- below Washington avg of $20,912
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.2 FTE
Per 248 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
9
in-school suspensions + 12 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.7 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 3.9 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 61.0%
Hispanic or Latino 21.5%
Asian 8.4%
Two or More 7.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%
African American 0.6%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.6%
Largest group: White at 61.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 56.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 56.9, Meridian High School is more mixed than the Washington school average of 53.3.
Programs
AP courses offered 5
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Meridian School District reports $16,219 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Meridian High School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irene Reither Elementary School | Larger | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Meridian Middle School | Smaller | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Meridian Parent Partnership Program | Smaller | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Meridian Special Programs | Smaller | No free-lunch data | No ratio data |
| Meridian Impact Re-Engagement | Smaller | Similar economic need | No ratio data |
Comparisons are relative to Meridian High School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 350
- Students per teacher
- 15.9:1
- Resource Index
- 51/100
- Enrollment
- 208
- Students per teacher
- 29.7:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
- Enrollment
- 26
- Students per teacher
- -
- Resource Index
- 31/100
- Enrollment
- 21
- Students per teacher
- -
- Resource Index
- 30/100
Similar high schools in Bellingham
6 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Squalicum High School
Standard public school
1,273 students 19.9:1 students per teacher
Bellingham High School
Standard public school
1,165 students 20.1:1 students per teacher
Sehome High School
Standard public school
1,116 students 20.7:1 students per teacher
Options High School
Alternative education program
176 students 8.8:1 students per teacher
Bellingham Re-Engagement Program
Alternative education program
110 students
Intergenerational High School
Standard public school
107 students 13.4:1 students per teacher
Nationwide high 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 (~534 students)
Frequently asked questions about Meridian High School
How many students attend Meridian High School?
Meridian High School has 534 students enrolled. It is a high school in Bellingham, WA. CCD year-over-year: 487 (2022-23) → 537 (2023-24), up 50.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Meridian High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Meridian High School is 20.5:1, which is 16% higher than the Washington average of 17.6:1 and 31% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Meridian High School?
25.7% of students at Meridian High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Washington average of 45.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Meridian High School?
The largest demographic group at Meridian High School is White at 61.0% of enrollment, in Bellingham, WA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 56.9/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Meridian High School?
Meridian High School 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 Meridian High School rank among public schools in Bellingham?
By Resource Investment Index, Meridian High School ranks #1 of 4 public schools in Bellingham, 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 Bellingham on the city page.
What other schools are in Meridian School District?
Besides Meridian High School, Meridian School District also operates Irene Reither Elementary School (765 students), Meridian Middle School (350 students), and Meridian Parent Partnership Program (208 students). See the Meridian School District district page for the complete list.