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Explorer Academy

Q: Is Explorer Academy a good school?

Explorer Academy ranks 335 th of 534 Washington alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades K-12

335^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 534 Washington Alternative Schools

Better than 37% of Washington alternative schools

Summary

Explorer Academy is a K-12 alternative public school serving 286 students within the South Kitsap School District in Port Orchard, and it stands out for its strong success in helping students graduate despite operating with relatively modest resources.

The school's most significant strength is its 85% graduation rate, which is above both the district and state averages and notably higher than many nearby alternative programs like Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy (56.4%) and Cascade Parent Partnership Program (56.6%). Explorer Academy has also dramatically improved its dropout rate, cutting it from 20% to 9% in recent years. This success is achieved with lower per-student spending than comparable schools and a manageable student-teacher ratio, suggesting a very efficient and supportive model for keeping students on track.

While the school excels at graduation and retention, state test scores show a mixed picture; performance in English and science is closer to average, but math proficiency, particularly in higher grades, is an area needing improvement. Compared to its closest neighbor, Catalyst Public Schools, Explorer Academy achieves its outcomes with fewer resources per student. For families seeking an alternative education path that prioritizes personalized support and successfully guiding students to a diploma, Explorer Academy presents a compelling and effective option.

286

Students ?

26.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,298

Per pupil spending ?

46.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

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: Declining — 65th percentile in 2022 → 31st in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Washington average (36% vs 48% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 34 percentile points since 2022

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school36%

District avg50%

Washington avg48%

Middle school

335^th of 534

Washington public middle schools ?

Bottom 37%▲ up 27 pts since 2015

From bottom 10% (2015) to bottom 37% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

301^st of 438

Washington public high schools ?

Bottom 31%▼ down 57 pts since 2015

From top 11% (2015) to bottom 31% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Washington High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

84^th of 247South 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)77th percentile+40 vs school

White (2025)44th percentile+7 vs school

Female (2024)42nd percentile+12 vs school

Male (2025)40th percentile+3 vs school

High school

Male (2025)36th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2025)27th percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)25th percentile-6 vs school

White (2025)20th percentile-11 vs school

By subject vs Washington (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts48%-5 vs state

Science40%-9 vs state

Math21%-22 vs state

★

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Schools Near Explorer Academy

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				WCAS Science (2025)				SBAC English Language Arts (2025)								SBAC Math (2025)								% Completely Immunized (2024)	% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Diphtheria (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% Pertussis (2024)	% Tetanus (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	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	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Measles KG	% Mumps KG	% Rubella KG	% Diphtheria KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% Pertussis KG	% Tetanus KG	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)		41.7	40.0	40.0				52.9	30.4	47.8	63.0	47.8				47.1	17.4	16.7	12.7	20.7											$12,298	$274	$12,024
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)	41.3	24.4		33.3	47.2	49.1	43.5	53.9	66.7	43.9		50.4	55.6	45.6	30.4	40.4	43.6	26.8		41.2	89.3	89.3	91.1	91.1	91.1	91.1	92.9	89.3	91.1	91.1	$16,633	$488	$16,145
Barker Creek Community School	Public, Alternative	K-12	1400 McWilliams Road	Bremerton	98311	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)		87.5	44.6	50.0					50.0	66.7	52.9	51.1							21.7	24.4	75.0	81.3	81.3	81.3	81.3	75.0	87.5	81.3	75.0	75.0	$11,692	$396	$11,296
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)																															$4,521	$72	$4,449
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)				57.1						80.0		61.1								47.1											$8,475	$298	$8,176
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)												16.3								13.6											$38,363	$3,369	$34,994
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)				42.9								66.7																			$7,934	$301	$7,633
Highline Public Schools Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	PK, KG-12	11427 3rd Ave S	Seattle	98168	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)		21.1	40.7	32.6				30.4	50.0	20.0	56.7	41.4				21.7	34.8			19.4											$20,182	$11,889	$8,293
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)																				33.3	95.5	95.5	100.0	100.0	100.0	95.5	100.0	100.0	95.5	95.5	$10,227	$2,834	$7,393
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)	66.7	83.3	71.4	75.0	45.5	50.0	88.9	70.6	56.3	63.2	68.8	65.1	60.0	61.5	62.5	33.3	43.8	38.9	19.2	42.3	80.0	86.7	93.3	93.3	93.3	80.0	93.3	80.0	80.0	80.0	$18,279	$579	$17,700

Frequently Asked Questions about Explorer Academy

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

Is Explorer Academy a good school?

Explorer Academy ranks 335^th of 534 Washington alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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.

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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.