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Average

#1459 of 2,225 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

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Eastsound

#2 of 4

public schools

Washington middle schools

#187 of 374

In district

#2 of 4

Orcas Island School District

About Orcas Island Middle School

Orcas Island Middle School is a rural public middle school nestled in Eastsound, Washington. Serving grades six through eight, the school has an enrollment of 91 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Orcas Island Middle School shows room for growth, with proficiency rates of 50% in ELA/Reading, 34% in Math, and 32% in Science.

Despite these scores, the school community remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment tailored to its students’ needs. Situated on Orcas Island’s serene landscape, the school is deeply connected to its rural setting, offering unique opportunities for outdoor education and engagement with the natural world. The tight-knit community around Eastsound lends itself to strong support systems and collaborative efforts between parents, teachers, and local organizations.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 91 students, Orcas Island Middle 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 Middle 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 Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.94 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.9%
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment5.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,675

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 33.5%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
49.0%

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
42%
ELA
57%
2022
ELA
52%
2024
Math
31.4%
ELA
48.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Orcas Island Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in WA
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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 8.7/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Friday Harbor), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lummi Nation Tribal School (rated 7.7/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Bellingham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lopez Middle High School (rated 7.3/10, 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 5.6
Orcas Island High School Eastsound 0.0 mi 6.0
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 Middle 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
Springdale Middle School Springdale, WA 5.9
CASCADIA SCHOOL Vancouver, WA 6.0
SEATTLE NATIVITY SCHOOL Seattle, WA 6.0
Stella Schola Redmond, WA 6.0
Renaissance School of Art and Reasoning Sammamish, WA 5.2
NOVA SCHOOL Olympia, WA 6.4

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 is ranked #1459 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Orcas Island Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Orcas Island Middle School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orcas Island Middle School has 33.5% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (591/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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