Orchard Park Elementary School

474 3rd Baxter Street

School District

York 04
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 05, 2020

2 of my 3 children went to OPES. Amazing school, Amazing teachers!
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2020

Excellent overall school, we could not be more pleased with OPES!
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2019

If you’re child is GT or even close they’ll be fine. Otherwise go elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2018

Average at best. The leadership could do a better job at supporting their working staff, rather than only serving the community of parents.
Submitted by other on December 14, 2016

My daughter began her first year as a 1st grader this year, and we are very pleased. She isn't given a ton of homework, no homework over holidays or over weekends. Her progress reports are thorough, and her teacher is extremely responsible to emails. There hasn't been one day so far where my child has felt concerned about the quality of care. She looks forward to going. The principle's own children attend and he is very hands on and caring of all the teachers.
Submitted by other on August 11, 2016

Muy buena escula y en señan muy bien alos niños y son estrictos con ellos eso es bueno por que ellos le echan ganas
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2014

After 3 years at OPES, I must say that I am just as happy as when we first began. Each year, the teachers seem to get better and better. While we were very sad (heartbroken, even) to see the vice principal, Mr. Pratt, leave last year, the new vice principal, Mrs. Rhodes, has been just as warm, caring and wonderful. My only issue is the car pool line. It is in a neighborhood and there is suppose to only be ONE way into the line, yet several people seem to think that their time is more valuable and they don't need to wait so they cut down side streets. This has been addressed several times by the staff, as there are children walking home or to school on these side streets and it is dangerous. But these parents DON'T care, they continue to do as they please. Other than that, the school is fabulous! Great parent involvement, great PTO, great staff. We even see the staff (teachers and office) out at community events. Wonderful community feeling!
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2013

My child has attended OPES for four years and we actually prefer the noise level traffic light in the cafeteria, because it reminds the kids to eat their lunches and not just talk, so they should be able eat their entire lunch. Four teachers sit two by two so that they are able to sit near all of their children.
Submitted by parent on July 25, 2013

OPES has been a really nightmare for me with the teachers and principal being so backwards. This school treats children like little soldiers. In the recess cafeteria there is a stop light which tells the kids when they can talk or not. The teachers don't sit down with their classrooms, so the younger kids don't get any supervision while eating. School starts so early that it is important that the children eat during lunch time, but how can they do it if the teachers don't even care.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2013

I have a child with special needs, and I have experienced nothing but great commitment and excellence from the teachers, administration and therapy staff. This is our second year at OPES, and I moved from another area in Fort Mill to be in this school. I am an RN, not working outside the home at this time, and know many of the staff personally. I am constantly telling people about the great services that we receive. More than anything else, I feel that the staff truly care about helping our child improve and reach her full potential. In a word, we are BLESSED to be here.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2012

This school is not equipped to handle kids that have special needs. They failed my son. I had to quit my job and homeschool him to keep him successful, happy and learning.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2012

Our son has been at OPES for 3 years and we are constantly surprised at the academic progress he has made. The teachers are good at communicating with us, although some better than others. The Principal and Assistant Principal both are very friendly and courteous and take the children's well being, safety and learning environment to heart. Talking in the cafeteria is allowed (green light) but when they start getting loud they get a yellow light. If they get too loud, the red light comes on and everyone has to get quiet and after a couple minutes the green light is back on again. As to the line to pick up the children, yes, cars are along the street. But this is a neighborhood and the people that live there move there because it is close to the school so that their children can just walk there. I am sure that if there was an emergency, people would give them plenty of room and there are other streets they can route the traffic through if needed. If the schools here are harder than where you came from originally, maybe you should look at the quality of the education there. We are very happy at OPES as it is constantly one of the best, if not THE best, school district in SC!
Submitted by parent on July 27, 2011

My daughter started kindergarten after we moved to Fort Mill last year. We are so pleased with OPES!! Her teacher was great, communicated well, and gave my child a very positive experience in her first year of school! I feel very fortunate that my child attends OPES!
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2011

My family and I moved from Ohio last year. My daughter was enrolled in the 3rd grade at Orchard Park. My daughter was a straight A student back in Ohio but as soon as we transferred her to Orchard she started to get very bad grades. I couldn't understand it. I asked her 3rd grade teacher if there was any thing I could do at home or even at the school to help her improve her grades. The teacher was NEVER helpful! I was very disappointed with her(teacher) because I thought teachers were suppose to be helpful and also when I had googled Orchard Park I saw theat it was a very good school. Needless to say I hated the teacher for the whole year.