All students participate in at least 28 hours per week of learning activities that are documented on a Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP). When a student starts at OCEAN the student and family meet with a teacher to create the initial WSLP and to get oriented to the school.

Each student and family has a 30 minute conference once a month with their conferencing teacher. At the conference a family, student and teacher collaborate on the Written Student Learning Plan including reviewing student progress and setting monthly goals.  Participating in the monthly conference is an essential part of being a student and family at OCEAN.

Students in grades K-8 attend core class on campus two mornings a week with optional afternoon enrichment. The remainder of the learning time takes place at home in partnership with families.  Teachers provide core curriculum and learning activities, and families can supplement with activities to meet their students' learning needs and interests. Science, Social Studies, and English generally include thematic units of study. For math students are provided a workbook as well as have online learning options available. All students participate in PE and Art as independent study at home for four hours a week. A few times a year there are student learning exhibition evenings where students share their learning with families and friends at a school wide event.

A variety of enrichment classes are offered for K-8 students. Classes can include community volunteers, ORCA sponsored teachers, and parent and student volunteers. Classes have included robotics, dance, drama, creative writing, American Sign Language, arts and crafts, and nature walks. Classes change throughout the year based on the weather and student interest.

Students in grades 9-12 typically take 6 classes a semester. Students select classes to meet high school graduation requirements and based on their post-high school plans. Core classes and some elective classes meet 1-2 times a week on campus, and a student works on 3-4 hours of independent work for each class each week. Students complete their independent work at home with support from their family. Many elective classes including art and PE are done through independent study.  Students keep a learning log documenting about 5 hours a week of learning and a portfolio to document their progress. To support independent learning teachers have a Friday Study Hall from 12-2pm where extra support is available.

Students who have not yet completed a high school diploma can enroll through the end of the school year that they turn 21 years old and complete courses at OCEAN.

High school students can be enrolled part time and take classes at Port Townsend High School, West Sound Tech, or Running Start. 

Classes are typically 10-15 students so teachers have the opportunity to know students on a more individual basis. Teachers work with students and families to individualize assignments to allow each student to challenge themselves at their learning level. The multi-age structure of our classes means that students are learning at a diverse range of levels. OCEAN works well for students with unique learning needs or who desire a more personalized classroom. Additionally, students are typically in classes with the same group of students throughout the day and build a strong learning community together.

OCEAN has an active Associated Student Body that meets once a week. Students in grades 7-12 can participate as elected members, and everyone is welcome at the weekly meetings. The ASB sponsors regular family and student activities like movie nights, as well as supports student-led clubs including D&D club and a student newspaper. 

ORCA provides support, advocacy and a bridge for the wider community to engage with alternative learning in the Port Townsend School District. ORCA helps plan field trips, support the OCEAN community, and advocates for student and family needs in alternative learning. Families can join ORCA or engage with subcommittees if they want to get involved.

A few Friday’s a month we offer family accompanied field trips. A field trip committee works to come up with a wide range of activities from local nature based field trips to trips to regional museums. ORCA helps supplement the cost of field trips so that all students can participate in a wide range of experiences. Students are invited to attend the field trips with a family member and there is room on trips for students to be transported in a school van or bus if coming unaccompanied.

There are often opportunities for a range of outdoor learning or extended outdoor trips. Sometimes these are grade level specific overnight trips or ORCA sponsored family activities. The outdoor learning experiences vary each year and depending on available funding and volunteers. In the past this has included bike trips, camping, and environmental education programs.

OCEAN partners with the Northwest Maritime Center to offer a weekly Maritime Boats class, BRAVO Team. Students must be 12 or older and there are limited spaces. Sign up happens at back to school night and typically fills at the beginning of the year. Participating students participate in weekly longboat experiences, an environmental project, and a long boat excursion.

We offer a class focused on student wellbeing and mindfulness skills. The class meets once a week. The class includes a wide variety of community presenters and activities.

Students regularly participate in reading, math, and social emotional screeners. Based on these screeners, and teacher and family input, additional interventions are available to support student learning. Interventions typically include small groups for reading, math, or social-emotional learning. OCEAN students can also access support services through the district including Student Assistance Professionals, mental health counselors, and a school based health clinic located at PTHS. Students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) receive services in OCEAN from a special education teacher as determined by the IEP.