Below Average
#1132 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
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama schools
#1,132 of 1,356
In Mobile
#35 of 56
public schools
In district
#56 of 87
Mobile County
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Orchard Elementary School
Elementary School in Mobile · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Clarkshaw Magnet School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
John Will Elementary School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Orchard Elementary School
Orchard Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mobile, AL, part of Mobile County. Orchard Elementary School serves approximately 585 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 22.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Orchard Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,132 of 1,356 schools in AL.
Structured state assessment records for Orchard Elementary School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 6.1
- AL avg 7.4
What Parents Should Know
Orchard Elementary School runs 22.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
34% of students at Orchard Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Orchard Elementary School — Students at Orchard Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
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 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Orchard Elementary School Compares
See how Orchard Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. The Pathway (rated 7.0/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mary B Austin Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 3.1 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 | 7.7 |
| John Will Elementary School Mobile | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Augusta Evans School Mobile | 1.6 mi | 3.0 |
| 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 | 5.4 |
| CL Scarborough Model Middle School Mobile | 2.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Indian Springs Elementary School Eight Mile | 3.2 mi | 4.9 |
| ER Dickson Elementary School Mobile | 3.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Mattie T Blount High School Eight Mile | 3.7 mi | 3.7 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| KNOLLWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mobile | 4.7 mi | 6.5 |
| ST LUKE'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Mobile | 4.7 mi | 7.2 |
| CollinsRhodes Elementary School Eight Mile | 4.6 mi | 4.7 |
| The Pathway Mobile | 4.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Acceleration Day and Evening Academy Mobile | 4.9 mi | 5.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Crump Elementary School Montgomery, AL | 4.6 |
| Holloway Elementary Mobile, AL | 4.6 |
| Erwin Craighead Elementary School Mobile, AL | 4.5 |
| Faine Elementary School Dothan, AL | 4.5 |
| Girard Primary School Dothan, AL | 4.5 |
| Rolling Hills Elementary School Huntsville, AL | 4.5 |
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 ranks #1,132 of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Orchard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Orchard Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Orchard Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Orchard Elementary School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.2%
- Phone
- (251) 221-1571
Resources & Links
District
Mobile County- District Enrollment
- 50,929
- Schools in District
- 92
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,245
- District Rank
- #56 of 87
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