Orchard Elementary School

921 Fox Lane

School District

Orchard Elementary
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Orchard Elementary School District

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 February 05, 2025

Review for middle school.This school offered many chances to the students to learn and study hard. Many home works and check and feedback proactively. I don’t know why the score is lower than expectation. My kid loved the school life. Teachers are very passionated for the class. Specially, math. He already offered the chance and spent extra time for student.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2024

My son experienced severe and persistent bullying during his time at this school (K-4th grade). Despite multiple incidents reported to teachers and yard duties, the school's response was consistently inadequate.In 2nd and 3rd grades, classroom switches offered temporary relief, but the underlying issue of bullying remained. Now in 4th grade, the pervasive bullying environment has led to significant emotional distress for my son, including suicidal ideation.This is unacceptable. We are aware of other children facing similar issues. While the superintendent and principal acknowledge the problem, there is no concrete action plan to address it.Key concerns:Ineffective bullying prevention and intervention: The school's current approach fails to protect students.Lack of consistent leadership: Frequent principal changes hinder effective school improvement.Impact on student well-being: The bullying environment has had a profoundly negative impact on my son's mental health.Recommendation:Prospective parents, especially those considering 4th grade, should carefully weigh the risks associated with this school's bullying culture.Positive Note:The VAPA program is an exception, offering a positive and enriching experience for students.Disclaimer: This review reflects our personal experience and may not represent the experiences of all families.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2024

I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude for my daughter's teachers. Their dedication and commitment to her education are truly remarkable. They consistently go the extra mile to improve her skills and understanding, showing genuine care for her growth and development. The extra effort they put into creating a positive and engaging learning environment has made a significant impact on her confidence and love for learning. We are so grateful for their support and guidance!
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2024

My son went to this school. He had a great time over there. All school facilities are friendly and helpful.
Submitted by other on May 25, 2022

This school deserve the 5 stars they got in the past but now it a different story. Some of the teachers are great and amazing. But this school has lost all of my trust in them and people I know. The principal of this doesn't deserve my respect. Honestly this school before the pandemic was ok it was better then now but after online leaning everything has just been worst. Do I think this school can ever regain my trust and respect? No. never for many reason. If your looking for a school choose a different one. Plus the current principal they are willing to forcibly grab something out of your hand to get your attention instead of like tapping on the shoulder. Along with all of this the yard duties on campus during those times are on their phone and have their headphones on as well. The yard duties that some time see something happening would always just grab a microphone and yell in to it and say "Don't do that or Stop doing that" and never go actually stop it. If I could give it 0 stars I 100% would.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2022

Principals leave or are cut every two years. They stopped supporting assistant principles already three years ago. Cannot handle any safety matters or typical school incidents between elementary or middle school. Communication is misaligned within and externally. Teachers across elementary and middle school are not birthstone safety protocols nor are students aware of them. Supervision of children from first grade to sixth grade has been a major issue and they swear they have plenty of yard duties on campus during those times (does it count when an adult is on their phone leaning on a tree the whole recess?). The yard duties that aren’t distracted don’t know how to address bullies or resolve conflicts or even escalate issues properly to the office.This doesn’t even begin to touch on communication to parents (with and without the PTA). The board needs to step in and fix the growing pile of operational issues that are continuing to cause safety concerns and dangerous risks to students in the community.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2021

Orchard Elementary is an amazing school. The teachers are so dedicated to the students and incredibly responsive to parents. The K-8 model provides a safe environment for all where the older kids support the younger ones.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2021

I am so proud my son goes to this school The teacher and staff really care This school does not have the funding like some big school.But they truly care about the students
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2021

The teachers are extremely biased, have favorites and show zero empathy towards younger kids who are adapting to the already challenging zoom classes because of the pandemic.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2020

School is below average, had to send my son to a private school due to many short comings to this school, making living around even more expensive.
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2017

Very good. Teachers have been very effective
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2016

Great school . Great teachers . Really focus on children academic and social activities strongly and nicely . Well maintained classes . My son loves going to school .
Submitted by other on November 15, 2015

This is great school with great teachers. I see huge improvement in the school in last 2 years. We are happy with our kids day to day progress.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2015

My daughter started at Orchard School in 2012. I was very reluctant to enroll my daughter because of a few bad reviews. Also I didn't like the fact that it's elementary and middle school. I was a little horrified at the idea of my second grader being around middle schoolers. I really had nothing to worry about as they are separated. I'm so happy I decided to give this school a try. This year my daughter is in 5th grade. I also have a son in 2nd grade and a daughter in TK. I absolutely love this school! Every year it gets better and better. They have a terrific music department and have improved so much in the past 3 years we've been here. Now, I love the fact that it's elementary and middle school it just works very well. The Teachers and staff are great. The principal is very responsive with any concerns you may have. We are proud parents.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2014

My daughter started kindergarten here. She loved her class and her teacher Ms.Chambers. she is a great teacher i must say. Then she was moved to combo class of grade 1 and grade 2 with Ms.Lao as her teacher.needless to say that she is learning alot and having a fantastic academic year. We love the school. I gave 1 less star because of no transport facility to our residential area.other than that its a great school.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2014

Part I: In all fairness to this school.I think most of the 1 star reviews 3 yrs ago are from the same upset individual who written all of the internet. We started at this school with a mind set of all the bad reviews you have been reading all over the internet. We tried everything to not attend this school by transferring to Milpitas for 1 yr and then came back because Milpitas was full. I was very negative at first about this school until I gotten to know the teachers and gotten more involve with classroom and the school. I think this school has lost of potentials and all administrators have all intensions to change/ improve this school.The core problem falls in the lack of parent involvements. It is often full house during any school events while it is always the same very few parents that shows to any task oriented mtgs or committees including the PTA. So 1 parent volunteer would end up doing what normally would be assigned to 5 people.You also have school teachers and staffs often doing tasks that would normally be fulfilled by the PTA and/or parent volunteers. I also work full time and is a one person with 2 children at night .So I make and/ steel time to help so can you.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2014

School lacks the educational commitment from teachers that really want to teach. Our teacher just stamps an excellent on homework, child doesn't know if they undertand the concept. it would be great to focus on what they are learning rather than their effort.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2014

This school is very well kept. So far happy with the interaction between the kids and parents seem involved. Hope to see the quality of education continue to rise and test scores improve at this school. Hopefully it will be reflected in the new API scores.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2013

OMG, The principal and D.O. office are NEVER available. What happened to Principal Livingstone? He was awesome. Time will tell what happens from here with the new Principal.