Education

How Education Impacts Health

Educational success is linked to healthier long-term outcomes, often with decreased rates of illness and disease. Education serves as a foundation for children to learn effectively, laying the groundwork for further education, employment, and a healthy adulthood¹. Improving educational attainment can have lasting economic, social, and health benefits across generations. Collaboration between schools, communities, and educators can help reduce barriers and improve educational outcomes for children and adults, supporting long, healthy lives for individuals and families.

On-Time Graduation Rate

Why this is important: Completing high school provides fundamental knowledge, essential skills, and personal development, preparing young people for further education or work. A high school diploma is often a minimum requirement for accessing higher education and securing employment, highlighting its significance in shaping future opportunities. High school graduation is associated with better jobs, higher earnings, and fewer chronic health conditions². The Healthy People 2023 national target is 90.7%.

Definition: Percent of high school students graduating in four years

Trend: The rate for students graduating in four years in Whatcom County has been steady between 82% – 83% for the last four school years (2018 – 2021).

Geography: The local graduation rate for high school students graduating in four years in Whatcom County is not significantly different from Washington State for the school year beginning 2021.

Disparities: Among students graduating from high schools in Whatcom County for the school years beginning 2019-2021, disparities exist with regard to homelessness and income status. Hover over the data in the subpopulation tabs to discover more.

Learn more:

• Washington State Report Card, Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
• High School Graduation Literature Summary, Healthy People 2030.
• Graduation and Dropout Statistics, Report to the WA State Legislature, Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2019.
• The Dropout Crisis: A Public Health Problem and the Role of School-Based Health Care, American Public Health Association, 2018. 

Kindergarten Readiness

Why this is important:  Kindergarten readiness ensures that children are mentally, socially, and physically prepared for the classroom environment. Early childhood experiences foster the development of social, emotional, physical, and academic skills, setting the stage for children’s success in school, thereby providing lifelong benefits as they progress through the education system³.

Definition: Percent of kindergartners ready in six areas of development and learning across all school districts

Trend: The overall level of kindergarten readiness among Whatcom County School Districts has not changed significantly from 2015 to 2022.

Geography: The overall level of kindergarten readiness among Whatcom County school districts is similar to the overall level in Washington State (48.4%) in 2022.

Disparities: Disparities exist between school district and income level for the level of kindergarten readiness among young children in Whatcom County. Hover over the data in the subpopulation tabs to discover more.

Kindergarten readiness for different racial groups in Whatcom County is available by school district at the Washington State Report Card, Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Learn more:

• Building a better future for Whatcom County children: Survey of families’ needs in their child’s first five years, Whatcom Early Learning Alliance, 2021.
• Washington State Report Card, Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. 
• Kindergarten Readiness, National Center for Education Statistics.
• Preparing a school-ready child, Institute of Education Sciences.