San Juan County Schools & Education

San Juan County, Washington

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

48/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

79.1%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

79.1%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 81.4%

Per-Pupil Spending

$10,052

National avg $13,239

State avg $9,250

School Score

48/100

Higher = better

State avg 51/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#21

of 39 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: San Juan County

School Verdict

San Juan County has average school quality (score: 48/100) with a graduation rate of 79.1%, indicating room for improvement in student outcomes.

Funding Context

San Juan County spends $10,052 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for San Juan County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 5% below the Washington average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 9% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in San Juan County, Washington

Island Learning Across Four Districts

San Juan County serves 1,720 students through 15 public schools spread across four island-based districts. The infrastructure is entirely rural, consisting of seven elementary schools and a handful of middle and high schools.

Strong Investment in Island Education

The county invests $10,052 per pupil, which is significantly higher than the state average of $9,250. This funding supports a respectable 79.1% graduation rate and a school score of 54.4, slightly above the state average.

San Juan and Orcas Island Hubs

San Juan Island and Orcas Island districts are the primary providers, serving 782 and 701 students respectively. There are zero charter schools in the county, ensuring all public funding remains within the traditional local districts.

An Intimate, Rural Island Feel

Every school in the county is classified as rural, with an average enrollment of just 115 students. Friday Harbor Elementary is the largest campus with 321 students, offering a community-centric feel that is rare in larger counties.

Discover an Island Education

Families seeking a safe, rural environment with strong per-pupil funding will love San Juan County. Search for homes today to find your place in these unique and supportive island school communities.

School Overview

Total Schools

15

in San Juan County

Total Enrollment

1,720

students

School Districts

4

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary7
Middle2
High4
Other2

4 School Districts in San Juan County

San Juan Island School District

5 schools
782 students

Orcas Island School District

6 schools
701 students

Lopez School District

3 schools
228 students

Shaw Island School District

1 school
9 students

15 Public Schools in San Juan County

Friday Harbor Elementary School

San Juan Island School District

KG–5Primary321 students
OASIS K-12

Orcas Island School District

KG–12Alternative279 students
Friday Harbor High School

San Juan Island School District

9–12High245 students
Friday Harbor Middle School

San Juan Island School District

6–8Middle178 students
Orcas Island High School

Orcas Island School District

9–12High152 students
Lopez Middle High School

Lopez School District

6–12High134 students
Orcas Island Elementary School

Orcas Island School District

KG–5Primary133 students
Orcas Island Middle School

Orcas Island School District

6–8Middle107 students
Lopez Elementary School

Lopez School District

KG–5Primary91 students
Griffin Bay School

San Juan Island School District

KG–12Alternative36 students
Orcas Island Montessori Public

Orcas Island School District

1–3Primary23 students
Shaw Island Elementary School

Shaw Island School District

KG–8Primary9 students
Waldron Island School

Orcas Island School District

1–8Primary7 students
Decatur Elementary

Lopez School District

KG–8Primary3 students
Griffin Bay School Open Doors

San Juan Island School District

10–12Alternative2 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$10,052

State avg $9,250

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in San Juan County rate?
San Juan County has a school score of 48/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in San Juan County?
The high school graduation rate in San Juan County is 79.1%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does San Juan County spend per student?
San Juan County spends $10,052 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in San Juan County, Washington — FAQ

What does the school system look like in San Juan County, Washington?

San Juan County serves 1,720 students through 15 public schools spread across four island-based districts. The infrastructure is entirely rural, consisting of seven elementary schools and a handful of middle and high schools.

How do schools in San Juan County perform academically?

The county invests $10,052 per pupil, which is significantly higher than the state average of $9,250. This funding supports a respectable 79.1% graduation rate and a school score of 54.4, slightly above the state average.

What are the major school districts in San Juan County, Washington?

San Juan Island and Orcas Island districts are the primary providers, serving 782 and 701 students respectively. There are zero charter schools in the county, ensuring all public funding remains within the traditional local districts.

What is the school experience like in San Juan County?

Every school in the county is classified as rural, with an average enrollment of just 115 students. Friday Harbor Elementary is the largest campus with 321 students, offering a community-centric feel that is rare in larger counties.

How can I find homes near good schools in San Juan County, Washington?

Families seeking a safe, rural environment with strong per-pupil funding will love San Juan County. Search for homes today to find your place in these unique and supportive island school communities.

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By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.