Below Average
#1234 of 1,356 schools in AL
Orchard Elementary School
Elementary School · Mobile County
6400 Howells Ferry Rd, Mobile, AL 36618
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mobile
#53 of 54
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#693 of 696
In district
#83 of 87
Mobile County
About Orchard Elementary School
Orchard Elementary School in Mobile, Alabama, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 585 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1, the school offers a supportive learning environment with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Orchard Elementary focuses on student development and community engagement, providing a nurturing space for young learners.
The school's academic performance is currently in the 23rd percentile statewide, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.4 out of 10. Test scores show that 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 13% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is working to improve, with a strong emphasis on student growth and support.
Orchard Elementary is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $52,341 and a median home value of $141,600. Approximately 28% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 21.3%. The school is embedded within a vibrant mid-size city, offering students a rich and diverse community experience.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Orchard Elementary School is 22.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Orchard Elementary School — Students at Orchard Elementary School score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.
How Orchard Elementary School Compares
See how Orchard Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 13% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 40% (2019) to 40% (2022).
Location
6400 Howells Ferry Rd, Mobile, AL 36618
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Orchard Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest Hill Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The Pathway (rated 7.7/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mary B Austin Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mobile, see our Mobile schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ClarkShaw Magnet School Mobile | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| John Will Elementary School Mobile | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Augusta Evans School Mobile | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| AL-IMAN ACADEMY OF MOBILE Mobile | 2.7 mi | 6.2 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mobile | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Forest Hill Elementary School Mobile | 2.8 mi | 7.7 |
| CL Scarborough Model Middle School Mobile | 2.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Indian Springs Elementary School Eight Mile | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| ER Dickson Elementary School Mobile | 3.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Mattie T Blount High School Eight Mile | 3.7 mi | 5.0 |
| ST IGNATIUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mobile | 3.4 mi | 6.6 |
| FAITH ACADEMY Mobile | 3.5 mi | 4.6 |
| J B SHELTON ACADEMY INC Mobile | 4.1 mi | — |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mobile | 4.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Mary B Austin Elementary School Mobile | 3.8 mi | 7.6 |
| KNOLLWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mobile | 4.7 mi | 6.4 |
| ST LUKE'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Mobile | 4.7 mi | 7.2 |
| CollinsRhodes Elementary School Eight Mile | 4.6 mi | 4.8 |
| The Pathway Mobile | 4.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Acceleration Day and Evening Academy Mobile | 4.9 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36618 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,075
Median Home Value
$155,500
Median Rent
$1,102/mo
Population
17,438
College Educated
29.4%
Homeownership
74.1%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
19.6%
Median Age
39.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Orchard Elementary School has a median household income of $59,075. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,500, with a median rent of $1,102/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.6%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Albertville Kindergarten and PreK Albertville, AL | 4.3 |
| Beverlye Intermediate School Dothan, AL | 4.7 |
| Heard Elementary School Dothan, AL | 4.1 |
| CollinsRhodes Elementary School Eight Mile, AL | 4.8 |
| Meadowlake Elementary Mobile, AL | 4.9 |
| Concord Elementary School Bessemer, AL | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Orchard Elementary School
What grades does Orchard Elementary School serve?
Orchard Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Orchard Elementary School?
Orchard Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 585 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Orchard Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Orchard Elementary School is 22.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Orchard Elementary School rank in AL?
Orchard Elementary School is ranked #1234 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Orchard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Orchard Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Orchard Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orchard Elementary School has 22.0% math proficiency and 46.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Orchard Elementary School a charter school?
No, Orchard Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Orchard Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Orchard Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Orchard Elementary School?
82.9% of students at Orchard Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,430/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mobile). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 585
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Mobile County
- Phone
- (251) 221-1571
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mobile County- District Enrollment
- 50,929
- Schools in District
- 92
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,245
- District Rank
- #83 of 87
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.