[3] The school was closed for two years starting in June 1998 for a massive renovation which involved gutting the entire building and even demolishing some portions.

Special care was taken to preserve the art deco facade on the west side of the building.

From its inception the school mascot was the "Red Raider", a Native American chief with a massive war bonnet.

In the years leading up to the school's renovation there were several occasions where questions were raised about the cultural appropriateness of such a mascot.

[4] Bellingham, competing in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association's Northwest Conference, participates in thirteen varsity sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, fastpitch, football, golf, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, and wrestling.