Best Public Schools in Zip Code 98261

Zip code 98261 on Lopez Island, WA, is served by two public schools—Lopez Elementary School (K-6) and Lopez Middle High School (7-12)—operating under the Lopez School District, with a combined enrollment of 202 students in a small, island community.

These schools present a mixed picture of notable strengths and clear challenges. The Lopez Middle High School is a consistent standout, ranking among the top high schools in the state with an excellent 88% graduation rate and particularly strong performance in science and English. In contrast, Lopez Elementary School has shown more volatile performance, with its state ranking dropping recently, and it struggles significantly in mathematics, where its proficiency is nearly 20 points below the state average.

Overall, the district excels in science and has favorable student-teacher ratios, but it faces a critical challenge in elementary math despite high per-student spending. Parents should note the strong secondary program and science curriculum but may want to inquire about supports for mathematics at the elementary level and the strategies to address performance gaps between grade levels within each school.