Needs Improvement
#2218 of 2,225 schools in WA
Explorer Academy
School · South Kitsap School District
2689 HOOVER AVE SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher
29:1
Score
2.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher
29:1
Score
2.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Port Orchard
#15 of 15
public schools
Washington schools
#169 of 173
In district
#17 of 17
South Kitsap School District
About Explorer Academy
Explorer Academy is an alternative school in Port Orchard, Washington, catering to students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With a student body of 290 and a student-to-teacher ratio of 29:1, the school offers personalized attention within its small city setting. The faculty includes ten full-time equivalent teachers who support students through diverse educational programs tailored to individual needs.
Explorer Academy has an overall MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and ranks at #2163 out of 2261 schools in Washington, placing it in the 4th percentile for state rankings. Academic performance data shows that while 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 37% are proficient or above in Science, only 14% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on academic development and growth.
Explorer Academy sits nestled in a small city setting, offering a community-focused environment for its diverse student body.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Explorer Academy is 29:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Explorer Academy — Students at Explorer Academy score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 17 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.3/10.
How Explorer Academy Compares
See how Explorer Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 13.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 41.4% (2024).
Location
2689 HOOVER AVE SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Explorer Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Cedar Heights Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Renaissance Alternative High School (rated 7.0/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Bremerton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Bremerton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Port Orchard, see our Port Orchard schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98366 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$88,807
Median Home Value
$449,700
Median Rent
$1,704/mo
Population
37,692
College Educated
26.2%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
32.5 min
Poverty Rate
11%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Explorer Academy has a median household income of $88,807. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $449,700, with a median rent of $1,704/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Summit VIrtual Academy Lacey, WA | 2.6 |
| SEAVIEW ACADEMY Port Angeles, WA | 1.7 |
| OASIS K-12 Eastsound, WA | 1.6 |
| Bellingham Family Partnership Program Bellingham, WA | 3.1 |
| UNITED SEATTLE&BELLEVUE KOREAN SCH BELLEVUE CAMPUS Bellevue, WA | 3.1 |
| Kelso Virtual Academy Longview, WA | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Explorer Academy
What grades does Explorer Academy serve?
Explorer Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Explorer Academy?
Explorer Academy has an enrollment of approximately 290 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Explorer Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Explorer Academy is 29:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Explorer Academy rank in WA?
Explorer Academy is ranked #2218 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Explorer Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Explorer Academy has a composite rating of 2.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Explorer Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Explorer Academy has 14.1% math proficiency and 49.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Explorer Academy a charter school?
No, Explorer Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Explorer Academy a Title I school?
No, Explorer Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Explorer Academy?
47.9% of students at Explorer Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,323/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Port Orchard). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 290
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 29:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.9%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Kitsap County
- Phone
- (360) 443-3605
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Kitsap School District- District Enrollment
- 9,297
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,543
- District Rank
- #17 of 17
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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