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Port Orchard WA, October 2015Photo: Orange Suede Sofa · CC BY-SA 3.0
B+
Schools in Port Orchard · South Kitsap School District

Port Orchard’s public schools outscore 68% of Washington districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Port Orchard, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.

#115of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
56%
▲ 3 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
42%
▲ 2 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
82%
▼ 2 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.6K
▲ 1% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.5
WA 17.7 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
3,639 students on the public path
In brief

Port Orchard’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 56% and math 42% in spring 2022, against 53% and 40% statewide; 82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $18,593 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Cedar Heights Middle School, then South Kitsap High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Bethany Lutheran Church & Early Learning Center (private) and Discovery Montessori (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Port Orchard’s grade

B+ Test scoresC Graduation

B+: better than 68% of Washington school districts, #115 of 285 Washington towns. Test scores are above the Washington average; graduation is below it.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 68%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (270)Better than 70%
BB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 4,912 test results and a graduating class of 649 could put Port Orchard anywhere from B to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 94% of Port Orchard’s students in the tested grades sat them (4,912 in math, 4,913 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Port Orchard, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Sidney Glen Elementary SchoolSouth Kitsap School DistrictNo scores
6–8Cedar Heights Middle SchoolSouth Kitsap School DistrictNo scores
9–12South Kitsap High SchoolSouth Kitsap School DistrictNo scores

Port Orchard’s public schools are run by South Kitsap School District, which also serves Bremerton. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

South Kitsap School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 17 schools · 9,326 students, up 4% since 2020–21 · 16.5 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$18,593WA $18,444 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading56%
State average 53.4% · 4913 students tested
Math42%
State average 40.1% · 4912 students tested

Port Orchard vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Port Orchard’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Port OrchardB+South Kitsap
BremertonB−South Kitsap PK–12 · Bremerton PK–12

Every school in Port Orchard

6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Washington’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Port Orchardby address
Sidney Glen Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
502 students14:1Rate it →
Cedar Heights Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
689 students18:1Rate it →
South Kitsap High School
High · Grades 9–12
2,448 students20:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Explorer Academy
Grades K–12
Alternative Education
286 students26:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Bethany Lutheran Church & Early Learning Center
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Religious
89 students16:1Rate it →
Discovery Montessori
Elementary · Grades PK–4
Private · Nonsectarian
26 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Port Orchard’s schools

Are Port Orchard’s schools good?

By Washington’s own tests, yes: the public schools Port Orchard children attend outscore 68% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #115 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 70%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Port Orchard in?

South Kitsap School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,326 students in 17 schools (2024–25).

Where do Port Orchard kids go to high school?

South Kitsap High School, with 2,448 students.

What is Port Orchard’s graduation rate?

82% of the class of 2023 in South Kitsap School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Port Orchard spend per student?

$18,593 in South Kitsap School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Port Orchard?

Yes: Bethany Lutheran Church & Early Learning Center (religious, grades K–8, 89 students) and Discovery Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 26 students).

Parents talk

What Port Orchard families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Port Orchard → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Washington. Stars are from neighbors.