Orcas Island Middle School

Orcas Island Middle School sits in the heart of Eastsound, a small, tight-knit community on one of Washington's most beloved San Juan Islands — where the ferry ride to school is a real possibility and the outdoors is practically part of the curriculum. Academically solid with particular strength in English, this school tends to appeal to families who've chosen island life intentionally, valuing a close community and a slower pace over the hustle of the mainland. It's the kind of place where teachers know every kid by name, and the surrounding landscape — think old-growth forests, orca sightings, and kayaking on the weekend — shapes the experience just as much as the classroom does.