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Below Average

#2038 of 2,228 schools in WA

Orcas Island Middle School

Middle School · Orcas Island School District

715 SCHOOL RD, Eastsound, WA 98245

Enrollment

91

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

4.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#2,038 of 2,228

In Eastsound

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Orcas Island School District

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Orcas Island Middle School

4.0/10

Middle School in Eastsound · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Orcas Island Elementary School

4.7/10

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

Orcas Island High School

6.5/10

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

About Orcas Island Middle School

Orcas Island Middle School is a public middle school in Eastsound, WA, part of Orcas Island School District. Orcas Island Middle School serves approximately 91 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Orcas Island Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,038 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Orcas Island Middle School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts below WA schools
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 91 students, Orcas Island Middle 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 Middle 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.

52% of students at Orcas Island Middle 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 Progress2.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-2.69 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.9% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.9% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,496
Chronic Absenteeism51.6%

Orcas Island Middle School — Students at Orcas Island Middle School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 48.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 63.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (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
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2015
Math
64.5%
ELA
84.5%
2016
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
28.6%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
31.4%
ELA
48.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.8/10.

How Orcas Island Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
9th percentile in WA
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.6%

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

715 SCHOOL RD, Eastsound, WA 98245

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orcas Island Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Friday Harbor High School (rated 7.4/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Friday Harbor), which scores notably higher. Another option is Beach Elem (rated 7.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Lummi Island), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lopez Middle High School (rated 6.8/10, 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 Elementary School Eastsound 0.0 mi 4.7
Orcas Island High School Eastsound 0.0 mi 6.5
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
Lind Ritzville Middle School Lind, WA 4.0
Springdale Middle School Springdale, WA 3.8
North Beach Junior High School Ocean Shores, WA 5.0
Wellpinit Middle School Wellpinit, WA 5.2
Dayton Middle School Dayton, WA 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orcas Island Middle School

What grades does Orcas Island Middle School serve?

Orcas Island Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Orcas Island Middle School?

Orcas Island Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 91 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Orcas Island Middle School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orcas Island Middle School rank in WA?

Orcas Island Middle School ranks #2,038 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Orcas Island Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Orcas Island Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orcas Island Middle School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Orcas Island Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Orcas Island Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

44.0% of students at Orcas Island Middle 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
91
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
San Juan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.6%

District

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

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