Enrollment at the Little Red School House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is only 14. The uppergrade class is taught by John Pachuta. In good weather, he commutes to work in a rowing shell from Friday Harbor, watching the sun rise in the east and counting porpoises and seals cutting through the green waters.
Kids know they have it good.
In a class of five, no one lacks for attention, everyone gets in the school play and field trips are long. Last year, Pachuta took his class to Alaska for two weeks to study the Gold Rush. This year, they're headed to the Olympic Peninsula. Going off-island is good. Staying on-island may be even better.