Orca K-8 School

5215 46th Avenue South

School District

Seattle Public Schools
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 15, 2015

We have had a great experience. The garden program is priceless. The science and biology they learn through hands on projects is amazing. They raise salmon at the school and walk down as a school to Seward Park in the spring to put them in Lake Washington. I also love the MLK march in January. The Garfield drum line leads the entire school carrying cans for the food bank to Columbia City. Orca leads a food drive all year and is one the largest donors of to the Rainier Valley Food Bank, students even harvest food from the garden for donation. It's not perfect but overall it is a special place and I'm glad my child is here.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2014

Orca is a wonderful school with strong parent involvement. My son continues to thrive at this school and we love the teachers.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2013

Our school in the growing school sits in the diverse Columbia City/Seattle. The school reflects the community in which it serves. The Teachers share this uniqueness at Orca too. They continue to strive and reflect the diversity of the school. It is very rare to find a school that culturally reflects the students and the program. I am very proud to be an Orca parent that shares in this kind of diversity. I think it makes learning more engaging by accepting others!
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2010

Orca is an alternative public school that gives the students an open, warm and friendly atmosphere to learn in. They also have a fabulous greenhouse that helps the students understand food systems. This enables them to make better choices in their own nutritional lives.
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2010

This is my son's first year at Orca. He's in 3rd grade and we have had a wonderful experience so far. Everyone from the new principal and her office staff to his teacher and other parents have been welcoming and supportive to a new family. Our son loves going to school everyday and comes home excited about what he's learned. At Orca, the kids are very involved in the classroom and are taught that they are contributing members of their classroom community, what a great way to prepare them for the world. Our family loves Orca.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2010

A very clean, safe, progressive school - great attitude from teachers we have met, and wonderful involvement from parents. However it seems in my opinion a bit chaotic and unstructured in terms of creating a respectful, thoughtful learning environment. Our daughter's kindergarten experience has been positive and fun for her, but the class runs wild and is out of control. Also in my opinion the children are afforded too much control of what is going on at any time; they are allowed to bring toys to class, lay down and take breaks when they want, and are generally not told to quiet down when they are noisy or disruptive. When they interrupt the teacher they are not corrected, rather they are asked what they want to say, which encourages bold kids to dominate the class. That said, they are taught empathy and have a great time so overall a positive experience.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2010

because of the morals and standards being taught to the children
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2010

My daughter has attended 2 other schools in Seattle public schools. Orca is diverse, progressive and nurturing.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2010

It's a great school, w/ great faculty and staff that really cares about the students.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

I love their gardening program and their environmental studies. We need more alternative schools dedicated to real learning like ORCA
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

I love Orca because it is a k-8 public school that still offers all it's students art and PE on a regular basis.
Submitted by other on May 05, 2010

The staff truly cares about the students. The teachers have high values and morals and try to impart these to the students.
Submitted by other on May 05, 2010

I love Orca because it offers kids a wonderfully diverse education, including the most creative gym classes around like the Thriller dance.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

Orca is a fabulous public alternative school... where my daughter can learn about her environment, community, art, and the 'whole' part of being a well rounded individual -- it's not just academics and testing. on top of all that, the parent and teacher involvement is amazing!!
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

Great school for Diversity - - - with great Teachers creating a rounded education
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

Orca provides quality academics in a nurturing and stimulating environment.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

Patient and nurturing teachers Principle = strong leader Fun, organized and dedicated parent groups Great horticulture program Social justice philosophy
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

One of the best school we have in the district, caring faculties, administrations and supportive parents.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

Community feeling. Incredible support for the children. Great teachers. K-8
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2010

we have an amazing community! everyone who spends any time in the school has a 'six degrees' relationship with so many of the kids. the ways that our children are taught are so diverse: working in the garden, yoga, an incredible art program, music...