Coming of age: a time to celebrate in the development of a young person, when we recognize the significant transition from childhood to adulthood. This kind of transition applies just as meaningfully to organizations. Orcas Island is on the threshold of celebrating such a moment of maturity in one of its beloved homegrown institutions, Salmonberry School. The school is on the verge of securing a sustainable future as an important part of the island’s educational landscape by becoming the last school on the island to own its own buildings and grounds.

Through a tremendous island-wide outpouring of support and generosity, Salmonberry’s capital campaign to raise the funds required to buy its site looks very likely to become a reality.

“We’ve always enjoyed tremendous support from our parents and alumni,” said Salmonberry’s Founding Program Director Paul Freedman. “What has been amazing about this effort is that folks have been coming out of the woodworks from all corners of the island community and beyond to support the school.”

In 2001, Salmonberry School began as a handful of parent friends committed themselves to realizing a dream of creating a holistic educational alternative for their children as well as for the island community at large. The school became a nonprofit 501c3 corporation, as it continues to be today. Two years later, Salmonberry was recognized as an Approved Private School by the state of Washington. At that time it seemed inconceivable that one day enough resources might be squirreled away to consider buying the magnificent and unique setting in which the school is located on North Beach Road in Eastsound, but indeed that day has come.

If you’ve never been on this little campus, you should schedule a visit. The campus consists of three charming small classrooms in two adjacent buildings nestled in the old homestead orchard of plum, cherry apple and pear trees of what was the Lavender family property. Among the hand-built structures are two play structures, a sandbox, a garden with split-rail fence, a swing set, and a willow dome building as well as a tiny log cabin, all built by the students and parents over these 14 years. The paintings on the cedar fence facing North Beach Road are testament to the years of students and their studies.

“We’re more than 75 percent there towards securing the funds for our down payment,” said Freedman. “We have an agreement with the seller, as well as a lender. All that’s left is to finish this bit of fundraising.”

This developmental moment in the life of this little preschool through grade six school is indeed historic. Salmonberry does not have the backing of an endowment, or any affiliated church or organization. This school is truly a grassroots project that was created by islanders for islanders. There has been 14 years of personal sacrifice, incredible volunteerism and a willingness by a sequence of community members to do whatever it takes to see this educational alternative survive. The school’s board is now seeking the final handful of donors who could help them to make the dream of property ownership become a reality. Having grown through its childhood and adolescence, Salmonberry School is about to enter its next stage of life, and take the reins for its own continued development. Those who are curious to learn more about the school or to help with a donation, contact the school by email at info@salmonberryschool.org or visit www.salmonberryschool.org.