809 5th St, Anacortes, WA 98221

Fidalgo has a private school feel in a public school setting. We moved to Anacortes intentionally for the school system (among other great things) and knew that we wanted Fidalgo out of the gate. Every teacher is dedicated to the kids, the underserved and disadvantaged programs are robust, and gifted children are quietly but firmly moved into advanced studies- all within the boundaries of the school itself. It is commonplace to find no room in the visitor parking lot because there are so many volunteers assisting in the classrooms. Tara Dowd runs a tight ship and fearlessly searches for ways to innovate within the boundaries of state requirements. I've never seen so many students so eagerly participating at any school, anywhere else. All the elementary schools in ASD 103 are great, but there's something about Fidalgo, year after year, that makes it so sought after. Just ask any Fidalgo grad.

I don’t know how this school could be rated its current ratings on great schools. It is unsafely understaffed, the kindergarten classes do mostly worksheets- inappropriate for that age group. The principal is unprofessional and concerned with climbing the ladder. Special Ed is run terribly- they will refuse any service your child needs and you will have to fight like hell. If they don’t have the therapy staff to provide your child the therapy they require they conveniently don’t tell you unless you ask- no integrity. Would never send a special ed kid here. Most families I know have pulled their kids from Island View/ ASD. Lastly, a tactic they like to use is suggesting your special ed child do half day, this way they don’t have to hire more staffing, but they’ll spin it like it’s to benefit your child.

We transferred to Mt. Erie from Island View so my son could participate in the special program they offered. He LOVES it! I wish we would have transferred him sooner. He has grown and matured much and his math and reading has improved by leaps and bounds! Thank you Mt. Erie Elementary School!!