The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in Science. The lowest is 44% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Oak Harbor Intermediate School
Oak Harbor Intermediate School serves fifth and sixth graders in the Oak Harbor School District on Whidbey Island. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and its enrollment is moderate for a two-grade intermediate school. The student body is racially and economically diverse. Roughly half of students are white, about a fifth are Hispanic, and the remainder includes students who identify as two or more races, Asian, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the mix of military and civilian families in the community. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these supports.
Academically, Oak Harbor Intermediate performs above the midpoint compared with other districts in Island County, landing in the top quartile on an overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades. On state assessments, a majority of fifth graders met or exceeded standards in English language arts, and over half of sixth graders did as well. Fifth grade science results were similarly solid, with more than half of students scoring proficient. Math proficiency was lower. In both fifth and sixth grades, fewer than half of students reached the proficient mark. This pattern—stronger reading and science results, weaker math—is not uncommon among middle-grade schools, but the gap is wide enough that a family may want to understand how the school addresses math instruction and intervention. Only a single year of assessment data was available for this school, so no trend information is available to show whether performance is improving, holding steady, or declining.
Because Oak Harbor Intermediate ends at sixth grade, there is no high school graduation rate to report, nor are there advanced coursework or career pathway options to describe. The school focuses on building foundational academic skills during the transition from elementary to middle school. No chronic absenteeism rate was available, and discipline data were not provided.
Oak Harbor itself is the largest city on Whidbey Island, shaped heavily by the presence of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, which anchors the local economy. The city has a small-town downtown along Pioneer Way with shops, restaurants, and the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum. Housing values in the area are moderately above the national median but below the Washington state typical level, and rents have been rising recently. For a family moving to the area, the housing market offers a mix of options, though affordability relative to incomes is a consideration.
The school district has some notable parent-relevant features. Voters approved a replacement Educational Programs and Operations levy in 2022, which funds staff, curriculum, technology, and enrichment beyond what the state covers. This levy directly supports class sizes and resources at intermediate schools like this one. The district also operates Oak Harbor Virtual Academy, a permanent online learning option, though that is a separate choice from in-person attendance at this intermediate school.
While the school’s proficiency numbers in English and science give a generally positive picture, the math results are an area where families may want more detail. The available data also lack any information about teacher staffing ratios, class sizes, or specialized programs such as gifted or intervention services. A parent considering this school should feel comfortable reaching out to the school or district for specifics on how math achievement is being addressed and what supports exist for students who are above or below grade level.
See more original research from School Decision →