Dear OHHS Students and Families,
We hope you have had a wonderful summer! As we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, we are excited to welcome back our returning Oak Harbor High School Wildcats—and to extend a warm welcome to our incoming freshmen, transfer students, and any families joining the Wildcat community for the first time.
A new school year always brings a mix of excitement, anticipation, adjustments, and maybe a few questions. Our staff has been working hard to prepare for your return, and we are looking forward to having our hallways, classrooms, and campus filled with students again. We are ready for another year of learning, growth, connection, and all of the activities and experiences that make OHHS a special place to be.
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Students and families are invited to join us for Open House on Wednesday, August 26, from 3:30–5:30 p.m.
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Student schedules will be available online the evening of August 25 and in person at Open House on August 26, making this a great opportunity to find classrooms, meet teachers, ask questions, and become more familiar with the building before the first day of school. We especially encourage new students to take advantage of this opportunity!
**A Note About Schedule Changes
Once schedules are distributed, students may notice something they would like to change. Because our master schedule is built carefully around course enrollment, staffing, and class sizes, schedule changes are limited to situations in which a correction is necessary, including:
- A student has an open (blank) period
- A student is double scheduled (two classes in one period)
- A senior requires a specific course to meet a graduation requirement
- A student has not met the prerequisite for a scheduled course
- A student has already completed/passed the scheduled course
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As we begin the new school year, we want families and students to be familiar with the grading scales that will be used this year. Teachers will share the grading expectations and scales for their courses so that students and families have a clear understanding of how learning, assignments, assessments, and grades will be evaluated throughout the school year. |
A district-wide goal of OHPS is to ensure that grades provide a clear, consistent, and accurate picture of student learning. As part of this effort, we are clarifying how teachers assign grades when student work does not meet the minimum expectations for passing.
This clarification is intended to provide consistency while recognizing an important difference between work that has been attempted, work that has not been attempted, and work that has not been completed because a student was absent.
When an assignment does not demonstrate sufficient understanding or completion to earn a passing grade, the grade recorded may vary based on the evidence available to evaluate student learning.
- 50% – Evidence of an Attempt: The student submits work that demonstrates an attempt to address the assigned learning expectations; however, the work demonstrates insufficient understanding, significant gaps, or does not meet the minimum expectations for passing.
- 30% – No Evidence of Learning Submitted: The student is present and has an opportunity to complete the assigned work but submits little or no work from which learning can be evaluated.
- 0% – No Evidence Due to Absence: The student is absent and does not submit or complete the assigned work.
These percentages are not intended to reward or penalize a student's effort, behavior, or attendance. Rather, they provide a consistent way to distinguish between different levels of evidence available to determine whether the student has demonstrated the expected learning.
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Traditional percentage grading can create very large differences in a student's overall grade when a zero is entered for missing or incomplete work. For example, on a 100-point scale, a zero has a substantially greater mathematical impact than other failing grades (1% - 59%).
Our approach is informed by research and professional learning around equitable grading practices. Joe Feldman, author of Grading for Equity, emphasizes that grades should accurately communicate what students know and can do and should be based on meaningful evidence of learning. His work also examines the disproportionate impact that zeros can have within a traditional 0–100 grading scale.
Our local approach is informed by these equitable grading principles, but the 50/30/0 scale itself is a locally established grading clarification rather than a grading system prescribed by Feldman.
Students should understand that:
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An attempt does not automatically result in a passing grade. Students must demonstrate the required learning to earn a passing grade.
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Submitting incomplete or incorrect work may result in a failing grade, but the grade reflects the evidence that was provided.
- Being present without completing work is different from making an attempt.
- Students who are absent should follow established procedures for completing missed work.
- Students will continue to have opportunities, as appropriate, to demonstrate learning and improve their understanding.
Our goal is for grades to be accurate, consistent, transparent, and focused on student learning while maintaining high expectations for all students.
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To help sustain high school programs amidst rising costs, Oak Harbor High School is reintroducing the annual $50 ASB Fee.
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Who Needs It: Required for all student-athletes, ASB officers and Career and Technical (CTE) clubs. Suggested for all other students.
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Perks Included: Free entry to all home athletic events, discounts on away games, and lower ticket prices for dances and ASB-sponsored events.
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Financial Support: Fee waivers are available! Families are strongly encouraged to complete the Free & Reduced-Price Lunch application online.
Pay student ASB fee online via e-Funds or at the cashier’s office.
- Go to e-Funds (Click to go to site)
- Click on the optional fees
- Click on Login if you have and account or "Continue as Guest" if you have not setup an e-funds account yet.
- You will need to add your student if you do not already have an e-funds account
- and select ASB Card
- Click on "Check Out"
- Select your form of payment
- Follow the prompts and print your receipt
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- Students participating in CTSO programs will continue to have opportunities to compete at the local, state, and national levels.
- Students who are taking part in state competitions will have an $100 out of pocket contribution and $300 for national competitions.
- The district will also provide additional financial support depending on the level of competition. Additionally, students can take part in fundraising efforts to help cover travel and competition costs.
CTE fees will be collected after students qualify for state and national competitions.
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This year, schools across Washington are transitioning to SchooLinks, the state’s new universal platform for High School and Beyond Planning. Prior to 26/27, OHHS students have used a platform called Xello for this purpose. The shift is intended to give every student consistent access to high-quality college and career planning tools, regardless of where they attend school. SchooLinks will allow students to explore careers and postsecondary pathways, connect their interests to course choices, and track their goals and progress from middle school through graduation—all in one place
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Watch this video and read this document to learn more about creating your account.
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All students, grades 10 through 12, may submit an application for a campus parking permit. However, spaces are limited. Permits will be made available on a first come first served basis to students who meet the following criteria:
- Possess this completed application
- Possess a valid driver's license
- Have proof of valid vehicle insurance
- Have no unpaid student fines
Seniors may submit parking applications and payment to the Cashier on September 2; All other student drivers may submit applications and payment on September 3.
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Oak Harbor Public Schools uses ParentSquare for communication between home and school. With ParentSquare you can:
- Receive all school and classroom communication via email, text or app
- Communicate in your preferred home language with automatic translation
- Direct message teachers and staff
- Have access to your school's documents and pictures/videos that come in your ParentSquare messages
- Easily sign up to volunteer and/or bring items
Be sure to check your contact information in Skyward to receive our ParentSquare notifications. Please also make sure to include a cell phone number in the second phone number line to receive emergency text messages and calls.
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Our first day of school is Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
For the first three days of school—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—students will begin their day in Advisory (rather than reporting directly to their first period class). Advisory will give us an opportunity to welcome students, share important information, help everyone get oriented, and make sure students have what they need to begin the year successfully.
Friday, September 4, will be the first day students report directly to their first-period class at 8:00 a.m.
We know the beginning of a school year can feel particularly big for students entering high school for the first time or joining a new school. Please know that there are always plenty of people available to help. Getting turned around in the hallway, forgetting where a classroom is, or having questions about how something works is part of starting somewhere new. Just ask—our caring staff and stellar students will help you find your way.
Most of all, we want our students to know that we are glad you're here. We can't wait to welcome you through the doors on September 1.
Enjoy the rest of your summer, Wildcats. We'll see you soon!
Go Cats!
OHHS Administration
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If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:
- ohhsinfo@ohsd.net
- ohhs.ohsd.net
- (360) 279-5800
1 Wildcat Way, Oak Harbor WA 98277
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