ACADEMICS

Kindergarten & Transitional Kindergarten

Child must turn 5 before August 31st for Kindergarten and 4 before August 31st for Transitional Kindergarten

Classroom Philosophy

At Orcas Christian School, we believe the early years of education should spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Our Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten program provides children with the tools and experiences they need to explore, discover, and grow.

Students learn in a rich, hands-on environment where play, exploration, and meaningful materials help them build understanding of the world around them. Every activity is designed to nurture a love of learning and develop skills that support future academic success.

Our program welcomes both Kindergarten students and Transitional Kindergarten students (ages 4 and older). While the younger students are not expected to meet the same standards as Kindergarten, they benefit from early exposure to classroom routines, foundational skills, and rich learning experiences. This allows them to grow at their own pace while building confidence and readiness for future academic challenges.

Strong relationships with caring teachers and classmates help every child feel safe, valued, and successful. By encouraging curiosity, risk-taking, and joyful discovery, we lay the foundation for lifelong learning.

Elementary School

Multi Age Classrooms

At Orcas Christian School, our elementary program is built around the unique benefits of multi-age classrooms. These small, family-like settings allow students to learn in an environment that is both nurturing and academically challenging. Teachers are able to tailor instruction to the needs of each child, offering support where needed and enrichment when students are ready for new challenges.

Because students remain with the same teacher for multiple years, learning is more personalized, and teachers are able to guide each child’s growth over time. This structure also creates opportunities for leadership and mentorship—older students naturally develop responsibility as they support younger classmates, while younger students gain encouragement and inspiration from their peers.

Through this approach, OCS fosters confidence, cooperation, and curiosity, helping students thrive academically, socially, and spiritually as they progress at their own pace.

Elementary Curriculum:

The elementary curriculum at Orcas Christian School is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and is designed to help students develop a well-rounded, Christ-centered worldview. Instruction is differentiated to meet a variety of learning styles, ensuring that each child grows not only in knowledge, but also in character, creativity, and faith.

Students engage in a wide range of experiences that bring learning to life, including:

Educational field trips – such as visits to the radio museum, BizTown, and the Oregon Trail
STEM projects – like toothpick bridges, pinewood derby cars, and mousetrap-powered vehicles
Community service – including community dinners, May Day flower deliveries, and visits to the Senior Center
Practical skills – such as sewing, gardening, and cooking
Spiritual integration – through chapel, worship, and our Big Brother–Big Sister mentoring program

For more details about the Adventist education curriculum, visit: www.adventisteducation.org/est.html

High School

High School Curriculum:

The high school curriculum at Orcas Christian School is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and is designed to develop the whole student—academically, spiritually, and socially. Our program provides a wide variety of hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for growth, including:

Mission trips – both domestic and international, with past locations including Belize, Hawaii, and Oregon
Educational travel – including college tours and a European history tour through England, France, and Spain
STEM projects – such as underwater ROV design, marine surveys, water testing, balsa wood bridge engineering, and egg drop challenges
Community service – including community dinners, food bank support, and beach cleanups
Practical skills – like sewing, cooking, and personal finance
Arts and performance – students participate in elaborate plays including Romeo and Juliet, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Oliver Twist, and Little Women
Outdoor and leadership experiences – including an immersive outdoor school program and leadership camping retreats
Spiritual integration – through chapel, worship, and the Big Brother–Big Sister program

To enhance learning, every student participates in a 1:1 device program, integrating technology into daily instruction. This allows students to create, collaborate, and present content while developing essential 21st-century skills.

For more details about the Adventist education high school curriculum, visit: www.adventisteducation.org/sst.html

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