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Below Average

#1833 of 2,225 schools in WA

Orca K-8 School

Elementary School · Seattle School District No. 1

5215 46 AVE S, Seattle, WA 98118

Enrollment

355

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Seattle

#88 of 89

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#1,082 of 1,202

In district

#102 of 106

Seattle School District No. 1

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Orca K-8 School

Orca K-8 School is an alternative school located in Seattle, Washington, serving kindergarten through eighth grade. With a student body of 355 students and a teacher-student ratio of 15.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child’s educational needs. The school has 23 full-time equivalent teachers who support its diverse curriculum.

Academically, Orca K-8 School is ranked 48th percentile among Washington state schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and an academic score of 5.1 out of 10. Students perform at 43% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading, 36% in Math, and 41% in Science. While the test scores show room for improvement, Orca K-8 School focuses on student development beyond just standardized tests.

Located in a bustling city setting, Orca K-8 School is part of a vibrant community in Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.5%
Math vs. State Avg-14 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.9 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,430

Orca K-8 School — Students at Orca K-8 School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.3%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 42.8%
School
State
49.4%

Based on 20 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
66%
2022
ELA
47%
2024
Math
34.8%
ELA
38.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.

How Orca K-8 School Compares

See how Orca K-8 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in WA
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

5215 46 AVE S, Seattle, WA 98118

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orca K-8 School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hawthorne Elementary School (rated 9.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dearborn Park International School (rated 9.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rising Star Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Seattle, see our Seattle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
SEATTLE NATIVITY SCHOOL Seattle 0.3 mi 6.0
Rainier Valley Leadership Academy Seattle 0.5 mi 5.3
TORAH ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Seattle 0.3 mi
Aki Kurose Middle School Seattle 0.6 mi 7.7
Graham Hill Elementary School Seattle 0.7 mi 5.0
Interagency Open Doors Seattle 0.6 mi 7.1
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School Seattle 0.9 mi 7.9
Hawthorne Elementary School Seattle 0.9 mi 9.6
DERECH EMUNAH Seattle 0.9 mi
DERECH EMUNAH DBA SEATTLE JEWISH GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL Seattle 0.9 mi
Dearborn Park International School Seattle 1.0 mi 9.5
THE LAKE AND PARK SCHOOL Seattle 1.5 mi 5.6
John Muir Elementary School Seattle 1.5 mi 6.8
Wing Luke Elementary School Seattle 1.7 mi 5.1
Franklin High School Seattle 1.7 mi 6.4
Rising Star Elementary School Seattle 1.9 mi 9.4
Alan T. Sugiyama High School Seattle 2.0 mi 7.9
Dunlap Elementary School Seattle 2.0 mi 8.5
South Shore PK-8 School Seattle 2.1 mi 5.8
Rainier Beach High School Seattle 2.1 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98118 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,085

Median Home Value

$746,400

Median Rent

$1,831/mo

Population

49,560

College Educated

49%

Homeownership

57.5%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Age

38

Community Profile

The community surrounding Orca K-8 School has a median household income of $109,085. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $746,400, with a median rent of $1,831/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Bryn Mawr Elementary School Seattle, WA 4.9
Clear Lake Elementary School Clear Lake, WA 4.9
Cougar Creek Elementary School N. Lakewood, WA 4.9
Dower Elementary School Lakewood, WA 4.9
Marshall Elementary Marysville, WA 4.9
Ocosta Elementary School Westport, WA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orca K-8 School

What grades does Orca K-8 School serve?

Orca K-8 School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Orca K-8 School?

Orca K-8 School has an enrollment of approximately 355 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orca K-8 School?

The student-teacher ratio at Orca K-8 School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orca K-8 School rank in WA?

Orca K-8 School is ranked #1833 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Orca K-8 School's MySchoolScout rating?

Orca K-8 School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Orca K-8 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orca K-8 School has 36.3% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Orca K-8 School a charter school?

No, Orca K-8 School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Orca K-8 School a Title I school?

No, Orca K-8 School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Orca K-8 School?

47.0% of students at Orca K-8 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

City Safety
High (5,803/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Seattle). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
355
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Seattle School District No. 1
District Enrollment
50,770
Schools in District
109
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,806
District Rank
#102 of 106

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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