Spending & Academic Achievement
Bainbridge Island School District
What we spend per student, and what students achieve
Bainbridge Island spends less per student than similarly performing districts, and our students score far above the state average on every state test.
Part one
We spend less per student than our peer districts
Our peer districts are similarly academically performing districts in the state: Mercer Island, Bellevue, Issaquah and Lake Washington. In 2025, Bainbridge Island spent $199 less per student than their average.
Below the peer average every year since 2020
$7.9 million less than we would have spent at the peer average, 2020–2025
Average spending per student is total spending divided by enrollment. Peer districts are similarly academically performing districts in the state: Mercer Island, Bellevue, Issaquah and Lake Washington. Source: OSPI Per Student Spending Comparison Data.
Part two
What students achieve
On the 2025–26 state tests, Bainbridge Island students outscored the state average in every subject, by 34 points on average at the grade-level standard.
Consistent grade-level knowledge
Foundational grade-level knowledge
Percent of students at each level on the 2025–26 state tests (Smarter Balanced, SBA). Consistent grade-level knowledge = a score of 3 or 4. Foundational grade-level knowledge = a score of 2, 3 or 4. Ranks compare Bainbridge Island with our peer districts: similarly academically performing districts in the state: Mercer Island, Bellevue, Issaquah and Lake Washington.
Part three
Where we spend more than our peers
Two areas where we spend more per student than our peer districts, and why.
Food & nutrition
- Peer average
- $415
- Bainbridge Island
- $612
$197 more per student than the peer average
Why: We invest more in food services because we prioritize student health, choosing nutrient-dense, scratch-cooked meals made with fresh ingredients over cheaper, highly processed alternatives.
Transportation
- Peer average
- $609
- Bainbridge Island
- $712
$103 more per student than the peer average
Why: Our transportation expenses reflect the unique geography of our island; traversing a large, spread-out district simply requires more miles, time, and resources to safely transport our students.
Sources:
- Per OSPI Student Spending Comparison Data: average spending per student (total spending ÷ enrollment), Bainbridge Island, peer average and state average, 2020–2025. Peer districts are similarly academically performing districts in the state: Mercer Island, Bellevue, Issaquah and Lake Washington.
- OSPI Washington State Report Card, 2025–26 school year: Bainbridge Island School District and state total.
- Niche.com 2026 rankings; OSPI Washington School Recognition Program.
- Food & nutrition and transportation: OSPI spending per student compared with the average of our peer districts.