Friday, June 12 was the last day of school for students in the Bellingham School District, marking the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Superintendent Greg Baker sent a message to families, staff, and the broader community reflecting on a year built around the theme of care and respect.
The Bellingham School District serves approximately 10,000 students across its elementary, middle, and high schools in the city. The 2025-26 year, Baker noted, was guided by care and respect as a central theme, drawn directly from the district's long-term strategic plan, The Bellingham Promise, which commits the district to ensuring every student is cared for, respected, and graduates prepared for success.
In his closing message, Baker recognized staff for carrying that theme into classrooms, buses, lunchrooms, playgrounds, enrichment groups, athletic fields, and performance stages throughout the year. He extended thanks to families and community partners who reinforced those values at home and in the broader Bellingham community.
One highlight Baker singled out was the district's 54th Annual All-City Track and Field Meet, held last week at Civic Stadium, where fifth graders from every elementary school in the district gathered for a day of friendly competition. The event has been a district tradition for over half a century and remains a signature moment of the school year for Bellingham's youngest students.
With schools out, families across Bellingham are shifting into summer mode. The Bellingham Public Library has already launched its Summer Reading Program, with special events planned throughout the season including a partnership with the Bellingham Bells for a Library Night at Joe Martin Field on June 25, where library cardholders can get free admission to the home game. Details on the library's summer programming are available at bellinghampubliclibrary.org.
For families navigating the shift to summer schedules, the City of Bellingham's Parks and Recreation Department runs a range of summer camps and programs for school-age children. More information on those offerings is available through the City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation page.
The Bellingham School District has not yet announced the first day of school for the 2026-27 academic year. Families can expect that announcement and the full academic calendar to be published on the district website in the coming weeks.
For Baker and district staff, the close of the year is also a time to look ahead. The Bellingham Promise continues to guide the district's multi-year planning, with ongoing work in curriculum, staffing, and facilities aimed at closing opportunity gaps and strengthening support for all students when they return in the fall.
