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
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Orcas Island Elementary School — Students at Orcas Island Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 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: 4.8/10.
How Orcas Island Elementary School Compares
See how Orcas Island Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 26.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 42.2% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (206) 376-2286
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Orcas Island School District- District Enrollment
- 767
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,496
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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