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Below Average

#1855 of 2,228 schools in WA

Orcas Island Elementary School

Elementary School · Orcas Island School District

611 SCHOOL RD, Eastsound, WA 98245

Enrollment

161

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,855 of 2,228

In Eastsound

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Orcas Island School District

School environment

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Orcas Island Elementary School

4.7/10

Elementary School in Eastsound · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Orcas Island High School

6.5/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Orcas Island Middle School

4.0/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Orcas Island Elementary School

Orcas Island Elementary School is a public elementary school in Eastsound, WA, part of Orcas Island School District. Orcas Island Elementary School serves approximately 161 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Orcas Island Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,855 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Orcas Island Elementary School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.1 pts below WA schools
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • WA avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

At 161 students, Orcas Island Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Orcas Island Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

48% of students at Orcas Island Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.5% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.2% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-25.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,496
Chronic Absenteeism47.8%

Orcas Island Elementary School — Students at Orcas Island Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 46.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 58.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.2% (2024 SBA)

Based on 32 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
43.5%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
27.2%
ELA
42.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.

How Orcas Island Elementary School Compares

See how Orcas Island Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in WA
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

611 SCHOOL RD, Eastsound, WA 98245

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orcas Island Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Beach Elem (rated 7.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Lummi Island), which scores notably higher. Another option is Friday Harbor Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Friday Harbor), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lopez Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Lopez Island), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Eastsound, see our Eastsound schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Orcas Island High School Eastsound 0.0 mi 6.5
Orcas Island Middle School Eastsound 0.0 mi 4.0
OASIS K-12 Eastsound 0.0 mi 2.3
Orcas Island Montessori Public Eastsound 0.0 mi
SALMONBERRY SCHOOL Eastsound 0.2 mi 3.4
ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Eastsound 0.4 mi
Waldron Island School Waldron Island 5.9 mi
Shaw Island Elementary School Shaw Island 9.2 mi
Decatur Elementary Anacortes 12.9 mi
Friday Harbor High School Friday Harbor 12.5 mi 7.4
Friday Harbor Middle School Friday Harbor 12.6 mi 5.4
Griffin Bay School Friday Harbor 12.6 mi 3.5
Griffin Bay School Open Doors Friday Harbor 12.6 mi
Friday Harbor Elementary School Friday Harbor 12.9 mi 6.4
STILLPOINT SCHOOL Friday Harbor 12.7 mi
Lopez Middle High School Lopez Island 14.3 mi 6.8
Lopez Elementary School Lopez Island 14.3 mi 6.2
Beach Elem Lummi Island 10.0 mi 7.0
Lummi High School Bellingham 11.5 mi
Lummi Nation Tribal School Bellingham 11.5 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98245 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,579

Median Home Value

$694,100

Median Rent

$1,341/mo

Population

4,206

College Educated

52.2%

Homeownership

78.5%

Avg Commute

16.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

52.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Republic Elementary School Republic, WA 4.7
Loon Lake Elementary School Loon Lake, WA 4.6
Rainier View Elementary School Seattle, WA 4.6
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lake Stevens, WA 4.6
ASSUMPTION PARISH SCHOOL Spokane, WA 4.9
CASCADIA SCHOOL Redmond, WA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orcas Island Elementary School

What grades does Orcas Island Elementary School serve?

Orcas Island Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Orcas Island Elementary School?

Orcas Island Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 161 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orcas Island Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Orcas Island Elementary School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orcas Island Elementary School rank in WA?

Orcas Island Elementary School ranks #1,855 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Orcas Island Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Orcas Island Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Orcas Island Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orcas Island Elementary School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Orcas Island Elementary School a charter school?

No, Orcas Island Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Orcas Island Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Orcas Island Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Orcas Island Elementary School?

42.9% of students at Orcas Island Elementary 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

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
San Juan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.8%

District

Orcas Island School District
District Enrollment
767
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,496
District Rank
#2 of 4

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