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Average

#1502 of 2,225 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

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Eastsound

#3 of 4

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#948 of 1,202

In district

#3 of 4

Orcas Island School District

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Orcas Island Elementary School

Orcas Island Elementary School is a charming rural school located in Eastsound, Washington. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 161 students and employs 14 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1. The school's setting offers a close-knit community feel, with opportunities for hands-on learning and outdoor activities that are unique to Orcas Island.

While the academic performance data places Orcas Island Elementary School in the lower half of Washington state schools, it is important to note that this rating reflects the need for continued focus on student development. In recent assessments, 46% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 31% in Math, and 53% in Science, indicating areas where growth is particularly needed. Orcas Island Elementary School is situated within a serene rural environment, providing students with an idyllic setting that fosters a strong sense of community and connection to nature.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 161 students, Orcas Island Elementary 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.

Located in a rural area, Orcas Island Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.2%
Math vs. State Avg-25.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected-15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,675

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 31.2%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 45.7%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 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
52%
2022
ELA
52%
2024
Math
27.2%
ELA
42.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Orcas Island Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
33th percentile in WA
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

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. Lummi Nation Tribal School (rated 7.7/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Bellingham), which scores notably higher. Another option is Beach Elem (rated 6.4/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Lummi Island), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lopez Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Lopez Island), which scores slightly 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 6.0
Orcas Island Middle School Eastsound 0.0 mi 5.7
OASIS K-12 Eastsound 0.0 mi 1.6
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 8.7
Friday Harbor Middle School Friday Harbor 12.6 mi 5.5
Griffin Bay School Friday Harbor 12.6 mi 4.1
Griffin Bay School Open Doors Friday Harbor 12.6 mi
Friday Harbor Elementary School Friday Harbor 12.9 mi 5.6
STILLPOINT SCHOOL Friday Harbor 12.7 mi
Lopez Middle High School Lopez Island 14.3 mi 7.3
Lopez Elementary School Lopez Island 14.3 mi 6.1
Beach Elem Lummi Island 10.0 mi 6.4
Lummi High School Bellingham 11.5 mi
Lummi Nation Tribal School Bellingham 11.5 mi 7.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Orcas Island Elementary School has a median household income of $76,579. 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 $694,100, with a median rent of $1,341/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kennewick, WA 5.6
GATEWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Poulsbo, WA 5.6
QUEEN OF ANGELS SCHOOL Port Angeles, WA 5.6
ST CHARLES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Spokane, WA 5.6
Neah Bay Elementary School Neah Bay, WA 5.5
SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spokane, WA 5.5

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 is ranked #1502 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Orcas Island Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Orcas Island Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Orcas Island Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orcas Island Elementary School has 31.2% math proficiency and 45.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (591/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Orcas Island School District
District Enrollment
767
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,496
District Rank
#3 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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