About Us

Orcas Island, the gem of the San Juan Islands, is located in Northern Puget Sound, Washington. It is one of four islands in the San Juan archipelago, served by the Washington State Ferry System .

The Orcas Island School District encompasses Orcas, Waldron, Crane, Blakely and several smaller islands. The district operates a high school, middle school and elementary school on one campus located in Eastsound on Orcas Island. There is also an alternative K-12 school - OASIS -primarily serving home-schooled students here on Orcas and throughout WA State. There is also a separate K-8 school located on Waldron Island. The Eastsound campus sits on a  total of 42 acres that adjoins the 17 acre Buck Park - a complex that includes baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds and walking trails. Orcas Island High School was built in 1992, and the Orcas Island Elementary School was enlarged and renovated in the same year. The district has been undergoing a campus wide renovation and modernization since 2013. With the passage of a bond in 2017 and a generous donation from The Henigson Family, major construction projects concluded in 2020 with the dedication of a brand new track and grass competition field.

The Orcas Island School District serves grades K-12 and offers a curriculum designed to prepare students to be college or career ready.  Advanced placement and advanced technology applications courses are offered at the high school level. The district is governed by a five-member board of directors and operated by a superintendent, school principals and their staffs. 

Several non-profits support the district. They are: The Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF), The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF), The Orcas Boosters, Music Advocacy Group (MAG) and The Orcas Parent Teacher Student Assn. (PTSA).

Orcas Island students enjoy competition in both academic and athletic events and have opportunities for service to the community. The natural beauty of the island offers additional recreational opportunities including biking, hiking and camping in Moran State Park, sailing, sea kayaking and watching an abundance of wildlife from virtually anywhere on the island.