The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction recently released “report cards” for  Washington state public schools.

Orcas High School’s class of 2010 had an 81.5 percent actual “on-time” (four-year) graduation rate, with a 94.3 percent graduation rate when five-year grads were included. OASIS high school had rates of 30.8 and 33.3 percent, respectively.

Encompassing both schools, the Orcas School District was calculated to have less-than-glowing graduation rates of 65 percent and 78.9 percent, respectively. Washington state averages are 72.7 and 80.7 percent, respectively.

Orcas Schools Superintendent Barbara Kline says the report card emphasizes rigid timeliness at the expense of perhaps plodding but persistent successes.

“There’s a saying, ‘All kids can learn, but it might take some of them longer,’” said Kline, citing kids who take a roundabout route and earn their GED instead of a high school diploma.

“We celebrate them, but the state calls them dropouts,” she said. “I think that’s too bad.”

Kline added that many of the kids helped by OASIS have struggled with health problems that prevent them from attending traditional classes. She said some move to Orcas to work after dropping out of high school, and realize they can still earn a GED or diploma. Others have been home-schooled or focused on studying unique interests instead of fulfilling graduation requirements on time.

“We’re very pleased with OASIS and we’ll continue to run it,” said Kline. “We support kids until they’re 21. We do an incredible service for these young people by giving them a chance to finish.”

The OASIS high school expects roughly 30 students this fall.