Needs Improvement
#2153 of 2,225 schools in WA
South Whidbey Academy
High School · South Whidbey School District
5675 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher
43:1
Score
3.6
Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher
43:1
Score
3.6
Grades
10th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Langley
#4 of 4
public schools
Washington high schools
#458 of 476
In district
#4 of 4
South Whidbey School District
About South Whidbey Academy
South Whidbey Academy is a small alternative high school located in the rural setting of Langley, Washington. With just 43 students and one full-time teacher, the school offers a highly personalized learning environment where each student receives individual attention. The student-to-teacher ratio of 43:1 reflects the intimate nature of this educational community.
South Whidbey Academy focuses on meeting the unique needs of its diverse student body, offering flexible schedules and alternative programs that cater to students who may not thrive in traditional high school settings. While the academic performance metrics are currently modest—with a MySchoolScout rating of 1.8 out of 10 and ranking near the bottom of state schools—the school is dedicated to fostering a supportive and nurturing atmosphere for student development. With ELA/Reading proficiency at 55% and Science proficiency at 47%, students show strength in these areas, while Math proficiency lags significantly behind with only 10%.
The school continues to work on improving academic outcomes across all subjects. Despite the challenges, South Whidbey Academy remains committed to providing a caring and encouraging environment for its students. Located near the town of Langley, South Whidbey Academy is nestled in a rural area that offers a peaceful setting conducive to learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 43 students, South Whidbey Academy 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.
The student-teacher ratio at South Whidbey Academy is 43:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, South Whidbey Academy 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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South Whidbey Academy — Students at South Whidbey Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 7 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.
How South Whidbey Academy Compares
See how South Whidbey Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 38.5% (2024).
Location
5675 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Whidbey Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. South Whidbey High School (rated 8.3/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kamiak High School (rated 4.9/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Mukilteo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Langley, see our Langley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Whidbey Middle Langley | 0.0 mi | 5.7 |
| South Whidbey High School Langley | 0.0 mi | 8.3 |
| South Whidbey Special Services Langley | 0.2 mi | — |
| ISLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Langley | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| South Whidbey Elementary Langley | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| WHIDBEY ISLAND WALDORF SCHOOL Clinton | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Mukilteo Elementary Mukilteo | 7.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Olympic View Middle School Mukilteo | 7.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Columbia Elementary Mukilteo | 8.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Kamiak High School Mukilteo | 8.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Harbour Pointe Middle School Mukilteo | 8.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Elger Bay Elementary Camano Island | 10.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Endeavour Elementary Mukilteo | 9.5 mi | 7.7 |
| NORTHSHORE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Everett | 7.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Picnic Point Elementary Edmonds | 10.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Serene Lake Elementary Edmonds | 10.6 mi | 6.2 |
| ECEAP Mukilteo | 10.3 mi | 6.9 |
| MUKILTEO ACADEMY Mukilteo | 10.4 mi | — |
| Fairmount Elementary Everett | 10.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Pathfinder Kindergarten Center Everett | 10.1 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98260 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$100,490
Median Home Value
$646,100
Median Rent
$1,455/mo
Population
5,480
College Educated
53.8%
Homeownership
83%
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Median Age
63.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Whidbey Academy has a median household income of $100,490. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $646,100, with a median rent of $1,455/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sky Valley Options Sultan, WA | 4.1 |
| Futurus High School Centralia, WA | 4.6 |
| Student Link Vashon, WA | 4.8 |
| Contract Learning Center Grandview, WA | 5.1 |
| H.e.a.r.t. High School Rochester, WA | 5.1 |
| Two Rivers School Snoqualmie, WA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Whidbey Academy
What grades does South Whidbey Academy serve?
South Whidbey Academy serves students in grades 10th through 12th.
How many students attend South Whidbey Academy?
South Whidbey Academy has an enrollment of approximately 43 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Whidbey Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at South Whidbey Academy is 43:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Whidbey Academy rank in WA?
South Whidbey Academy is ranked #2153 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is South Whidbey Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
South Whidbey Academy has a composite rating of 3.6 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 South Whidbey Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Whidbey Academy has 10.0% math proficiency and 55.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Whidbey Academy a charter school?
No, South Whidbey Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Whidbey Academy a Title I school?
No, South Whidbey Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Whidbey Academy?
55.8% of students at South Whidbey Academy 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
- City Safety
- Average (437/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Langley). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 10th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 43
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 43:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.8%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Island County
- Phone
- (360) 221-4300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Whidbey School District- District Enrollment
- 1,173
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,378
- District Rank
- #4 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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