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Below Average

#2067 of 2,225 schools in WA

Griffin Bay School

School · San Juan Island School District

PO Box 458, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Enrollment

35

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Friday Harbor

#2 of 2

public schools

Washington schools

#134 of 173

In district

#4 of 4

San Juan Island School District

About Griffin Bay School

Griffin Bay School serves 35 students in kindergarten through 12th grade as an alternative school in Friday Harbor, Washington. With just 2 full-time equivalent teachers, this small educational community maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1, allowing for personalized attention and individualized learning approaches. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking #269 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Washington schools.

Students show solid proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, with 75% scoring proficient or above across all grade levels. The school's academic score of 8.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence despite its alternative structure. Griffin Bay School operates within the supportive community of San Juan County, where families enjoy a median household income of $83,929 and home values averaging $695,700.

The surrounding area boasts an educated population, with 51% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 9.6%. This alternative school provides a unique educational environment in the scenic town of Friday Harbor, offering families an intimate learning setting within one of Washington's most picturesque island communities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 35 students, Griffin Bay School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.1Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-29.8 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.4%
Reading vs. State Avg-35.2 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected-39.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
College Readiness6.8Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,770

Griffin Bay School — Students at Griffin Bay School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency N/A
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.2%
School
State
50.6%

Based on 3 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2022
ELA
75%
2024
ELA
15.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.1/10.

How Griffin Bay School Compares

See how Griffin Bay School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
7th percentile in WA
Academic
1.8/10
1.8/10
Growth
1.1/10
Below average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

PO Box 458, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Griffin Bay School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Friday Harbor High School (rated 8.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Anacortes High School (rated 8.1/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Anacortes), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lopez Middle High School (rated 7.3/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Lopez Island), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Friday Harbor, see our Friday Harbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Friday Harbor Middle School Friday Harbor 0.0 mi 5.5
Griffin Bay School Open Doors Friday Harbor 0.0 mi
Friday Harbor High School Friday Harbor 0.1 mi 8.7
STILLPOINT SCHOOL Friday Harbor 0.3 mi
Friday Harbor Elementary School Friday Harbor 0.6 mi 5.6
Shaw Island Elementary School Shaw Island 3.7 mi
Lopez Middle High School Lopez Island 6.4 mi 7.3
Lopez Elementary School Lopez Island 6.4 mi 6.1
Waldron Island School Waldron Island 11.9 mi
Decatur Elementary Anacortes 8.9 mi
SALMONBERRY SCHOOL Eastsound 12.6 mi 3.4
Orcas Island Elementary School Eastsound 12.6 mi 5.6
Orcas Island High School Eastsound 12.6 mi 6.0
Orcas Island Middle School Eastsound 12.6 mi 5.7
OASIS K-12 Eastsound 12.6 mi 1.6
Orcas Island Montessori Public Eastsound 12.6 mi
ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Eastsound 12.9 mi
Beach Elem Lummi Island 20.1 mi 6.4
Anacortes High School Anacortes 18.3 mi 8.1
Cap Sante High School Anacortes 18.3 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98250 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,146

Median Home Value

$745,700

Median Rent

$1,498/mo

Population

9,127

College Educated

51.5%

Homeownership

77.3%

Avg Commute

14.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

55.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Griffin Bay School has a median household income of $90,146. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $745,700, with a median rent of $1,498/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
THE MASTERS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Twisp, WA 4.0
North Franklin Virtual Academy Connell, WA 4.5
PI Program Chimacum, WA 4.5
Lewis River Academy Woodland, WA 4.6
JOHNSON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Colville, WA 4.9
Northshore Special Services Bothell, WA 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Griffin Bay School

What grades does Griffin Bay School serve?

Griffin Bay School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Griffin Bay School?

Griffin Bay School has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Griffin Bay School?

The student-teacher ratio at Griffin Bay School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Griffin Bay School rank in WA?

Griffin Bay School is ranked #2067 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Griffin Bay School's MySchoolScout rating?

Griffin Bay School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Griffin Bay School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Griffin Bay School has 45.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Griffin Bay School a charter school?

No, Griffin Bay School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Griffin Bay School a Title I school?

No, Griffin Bay School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Griffin Bay School?

34.3% of students at Griffin Bay School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (591/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
35
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.3%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Town
County
San Juan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Juan Island School District
District Enrollment
802
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,645
District Rank
#4 of 4

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 methodology

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