Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Explorer Academy

Q: Is Explorer Academy a good school?

Explorer Academy ranks 348 th of 514 Washington alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades K-12

348^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 514 Washington Alternative Schools

Better than 32% of Washington alternative schools

Summary

Explorer Academy is a public alternative school in Port Orchard’s South Kitsap area serving 286 students in grades K–12 through the South Kitsap School District. The school offers a different pathway from a traditional campus and serves a student population with moderate economic need, with 46.5% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. Its 26:1 student-teacher ratio is fairly high compared with several nearby alternative programs, although staffing models vary by school.

Graduation and student persistence are Explorer’s clearest strengths. The 2024–25 graduation rate was 85.0%, slightly above the district’s 84.7% and the state’s 82.6%. It was also higher than recent rates reported by Cascade Parent Partnership Program (56.6%), Barker Creek Community School (61.5%), Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy (56.4%), and North Mason Homelink Program (75.8%). The most recent available school dropout rate was 9.0% in 2023–24—better than several comparable programs, but higher than the district’s 7.6%. Because no 2024–25 school dropout figure was provided, it should not be assumed to be zero or lower.

Academic results are much more mixed. In 2025–26, 50.78% of students were proficient in English language arts, 43.01% in science, and just 20.00% in math, compared with 43.59% math proficiency in the district and 43.11% statewide. Math has remained the school’s major weakness for several years, including an especially low 10th-grade result of 11.63%. ELA and science show brighter spots: 10th-grade ELA was 64.44%, essentially matching the state, and 11th-grade science was 50.00%, above district and state results. Overall, Explorer appears particularly well suited to students who need re-engagement, individualized support, or a practical route toward graduation, while families should ask how the school is addressing foundational math skills. Testing results for some grades were suppressed, so those outcomes are unknown rather than zero.

286

Students ?

26.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,584

Per pupil spending ?

46.5%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

1723 Wolves Dr
Port Orchard, WA 98366

(360) 443-3605

District: South Kitsap School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

66.8%

Two or more races:

14.0%

Hispanic:

13.3%

See top rated Washington elementary schools

Compare Explorer Academy to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 43rd percentile in 2023 → 48th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 5 percentile points since 2023

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Washington average (43% vs 48% meeting standards)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Math scores 23 pts below the Washington average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school43%

District avg50%

Washington avg48%

Middle school

348^th of 514

Washington public middle schools ?

Bottom 32%▲ up 12 pts since 2018

From bottom 20% (2018) to bottom 32% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

207^th of 396

Washington public high schools ?

Bottom 48%▲ up 17 pts since 2016

From bottom 30% (2016) to bottom 48% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Washington High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

77^th of 238South Kitsap School District among Washington districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2024	29.3	831 of 1168	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	42.1	661 of 1169	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	63.2	395 of 1169	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	74.3	264 of 1107	76.2%	★★★★☆
2013	32.4	813 of 1106	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	33.8	800 of 1097	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	14.5	998 of 1092	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	25.2	885 of 1088	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	50.0	558 of 1072	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2008	18.8	924 of 1067	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	35.5	733 of 1051	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2005	67.6	311 of 1031	69.8%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2022	48.9	534 of 1100	51.5%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2021	94.7	57 of 1025	94.4%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2022	34.6	706 of 1031	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	72.6	239 of 943	74.7%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	31.4	348 of 514	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	35.5	335 of 534	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	29.9	372 of 535	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.0	332 of 539	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	57.3	192 of 541	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	90.7	43 of 529	91.9%	★★★★★
2019	41.8	304 of 512	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	21.7	349 of 437	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	12.5	400 of 445	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	28.8	381 of 498	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	33.3	358 of 497	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	30.8	368 of 492	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	32.8	344 of 483	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	12.8	441 of 476	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	20.7	401 of 466	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	75.2	85 of 449	81.1%	★★★★☆
2005	78.2	74 of 425	82.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2024	41.3	269 of 464	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	58.5	167 of 479	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	33.6	317 of 452	29.9%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	24.5	361 of 453	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	68.6	103 of 457	77.5%	★★★★☆
2023	45.3	237 of 463	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	98.1	5 of 475	98.9%	★★★★★
2019	68.8	91 of 448	79.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	26.9	336 of 454	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	39.7	284 of 472	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	50.0	216 of 466	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	43.0	250 of 470	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	61.5	153 of 480	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	96.0	19 of 476	96.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	17.0	398 of 453	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	42.6	271 of 488	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	30.9	348 of 486	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	45.5	246 of 488	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	28.2	367 of 488	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	85.6	54 of 480	88.8%	★★★★☆
2019	49.2	245 of 470	47.9%	★★☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	46.7	207 of 396	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	32.7	301 of 438	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	30.0	313 of 437	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	50.2	209 of 442	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.2	167 of 434	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.8	142 of 455	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	40.2	262 of 417	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	28.7	248 of 315	21.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	44.3	192 of 301	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2016	38.1	213 of 306	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	82.2	39 of 341	88.6%	★★★★☆
2013	31.7	335 of 454	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	41.2	299 of 450	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	70.6	62 of 440	85.9%	★★★★☆
2010	25.0	341 of 423	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	27.9	314 of 402	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	40.2	274 of 396	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	28.7	313 of 399	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	50.6	227 of 395	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2005	26.0	315 of 394	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	19.7	322 of 390	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	28.7	256 of 350	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	32.4	247 of 347	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	54.8	157 of 357	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.1	158 of 368	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.6	115 of 390	70.5%	★★★★☆
2019	46.5	207 of 358	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.5	188 of 243	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	57.8	122 of 325	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	29.3	265 of 355	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	39.4	225 of 356	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	75.4	51 of 362	85.9%	★★★★☆
2022	90.9	16 of 370	95.7%	★★★★★
2021	98.3	4 of 392	99.0%	★★★★★
2019	45.6	185 of 344	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	64.6	67 of 227	70.5%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	37.2	210 of 326	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	37.5	228 of 359	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	30.2	261 of 362	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	36.7	232 of 358	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	59.2	146 of 363	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	69.7	95 of 395	75.9%	★★★★☆
2019	35.5	246 of 355	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	20.4	222 of 254	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2026	55.1	146 of 319	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	25.4	298 of 373	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	25.4	300 of 374	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	43.8	219 of 379	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	46.0	218 of 390	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	61.5	130 of 413	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	31.6	295 of 382	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	2.1	220 of 222	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Male (2021)94th percentile+18 vs school

Female (2022)51st percentile-15 vs school

White (2022)32nd percentile-35 vs school

Middle school

Female (2024)42nd percentile+12 vs school

Male (2026)26th percentile-6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)20th percentile-12 vs school

White (2026)12th percentile-20 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)62nd percentile+15 vs school

White (2026)54th percentile+7 vs school

Male (2026)36th percentile-12 vs school

Female (2025)27th percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts51%~ state avg

Science43%-8 vs state

Math20%-23 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Explorer Academy and help other families decide.

Rate Explorer Academy

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Explorer Academy

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				WCAS Science (2026)				SBAC English Language Arts (2026)								SBAC Math (2026)								Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	WCAS Science 5th Grade	WCAS Science 8th Grade	WCAS Science 11th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 4th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 5th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 6th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 7th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 8th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 10th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 3rd Grade	SBAC Math 4th Grade	SBAC Math 5th Grade	SBAC Math 6th Grade	SBAC Math 7th Grade	SBAC Math 8th Grade	SBAC Math 10th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	Vaccination: Kindergartners complete for all required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Explorer Academy	Public, Alternative	K-12	1723 Wolves Dr	Port Orchard	98366	Kitsap County	South Kitsap School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 443-3605	286	11	26.0	46.5%	191 (66.8%)	2 (0.7%)	38 (13.3%)	5 (1.7%)	3 (1.0%)	5 (1.7%)	40 (14.0%)								(n/a)		32.1	50.0	43.0					40.0	41.4	64.4	50.8					41.7	20.7	11.6	20.0			$13,584	$312	$13,272
Catalyst Public Schools	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-9	1305 Ironsides Ave	Bremerton	98310	Kitsap County	Catalyst Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(360) 207-0229	504	36	14.1	37.7%	280 (55.6%)	43 (8.5%)	94 (18.7%)	20 (4.0%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	58 (11.5%)								(n/a)	44.2	48.8		46.3	45.3	40.0	49.1	34.0	43.2	53.5		44.8	41.5	40.0	32.7	34.0	36.4	37.2	27.3	36.7			$19,592	$470	$19,122
Barker Creek Community School	Public, Alternative	K-12	1400 McWilliams Road	Bremerton	98383	Kitsap County	Central Kitsap School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 662-2570	551	14	40.2	42.3%	356 (64.6%)	12 (2.2%)	72 (13.1%)	6 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	7 (1.3%)	92 (16.7%)								(n/a)		60.0	54.2	56.9							59.0	54.1							16.7	25.7	72.2%	16.7%	$12,247	$150	$12,097
Bainbridge Special Education Services	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	8489 Madison Ave NE	Bainbridge Island	98110	Kitsap County	Bainbridge Island School District	No	No	No	No	(206) 780-1068	27	0		11.1%	17 (63.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (14.8%)	2 (7.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (14.8%)								(n/a)																							$5,025	$191	$4,834
Family Link	Public, Alternative	K-12	20120 Vashon Hwy SW	Vashon	98070	King County	Vashon Island School District	No	No	No	No	(206) 463-8686	72	2	40.0	26.4%	62 (86.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (11.1%)								(n/a)																							$9,070	$235	$8,835
Chief Kitsap Academy	Public, Magnet, Alternative	K-12	15838 Sandy Hook Rd	Poulsbo	98370	Kitsap County	Suquamish Tribal Education Department	No	Yes	No	Yes	(360) 394-8566	74	13	5.6	64.9%	8 (10.8%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (9.5%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (39.2%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (40.5%)								(n/a)				30.4							30.0	16.3								9.5			$38,554	$1,257	$37,298
North Mason Homelink Program	Public, Alternative	K-12	90 E North Mason School Road	Belfair	98528	Mason County	North Mason School District	No	No	No	No	(360) 277-2329	73	3	22.3	52.1%	55 (75.3%)	1 (1.4%)	12 (16.4%)	1 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (5.5%)								(n/a)																							$8,247	$342	$7,905
Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	PK, KG-12	11427 3rd Ave S	Seattle	98166	King County	Highline School District	No	No	Yes	No	(206) 631-3000	208	13	16.1	64.9%	44 (21.2%)	21 (10.1%)	97 (46.6%)	16 (7.7%)	1 (0.5%)	7 (3.4%)	20 (9.6%)								(n/a)		41.9	25.0	34.6				14.3	33.3	51.6	53.6	40.4					16.7	27.3		16.4			$20,308	$767	$19,541
Private School Services	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	2445 3rd AV	Seattle	98124	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	No	No	No	(206) 252-0805	184	0		11.4%	97 (52.7%)	17 (9.2%)	28 (15.2%)	13 (7.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	27 (14.7%)								(n/a)																					82.4%	5.9%	$10,088	$1,976	$8,113
Cascade Parent Partnership Program	Public, Alternative	K-12	2919 1st Avenue West	Seattle	98119	King County	Seattle School District No. 1	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(206) 706-4270	375	13	28.4	46.1%	137 (36.5%)	86 (22.9%)	57 (15.2%)	21 (5.6%)	4 (1.1%)	1 (0.3%)	55 (14.7%)								(n/a)		54.6	44.0	55.4	70.0	45.5		41.7	60.0	54.6	60.0	57.1			63.2	45.5	33.3	31.8	13.5	37.0	30%	0%	$17,434	$360	$17,074

Frequently Asked Questions about Explorer Academy

What is the racial makeup of Explorer Academy?

Students at Explorer Academy are 67% White, 14% Two or more races, 13% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 2% Pacific Islander, 1% American Indian.

Is Explorer Academy a good school?

Explorer Academy ranks 348^th of 514 Washington alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Explorer Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 286 students attended Explorer Academy.

What district is Explorer Academy in?

South Kitsap School District

Rate Explorer Academy!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

WAWashington Alternative School Rankings

WAWashington District Rankings

Schools in Port Orchard, WA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Explorer Academy!

Latest Washington data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewNov 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2025–26 SBAC & WCAS test scoresSep 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 8, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.