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Below Average

#8500 of 9,539 schools in CA

Orchard Elementary

Elementary School · Sylvan Union Elementary

1800 Wisdom Way, Modesto, CA 95355

Enrollment

604

Student-Teacher

23.2:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,500 of 9,539

In Modesto

#59 of 70

public schools

In district

#11 of 13

Sylvan Union Elementary

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Orchard Elementary

4.1/10

Elementary School in Modesto · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Connecting Waters Charter School - Central Valley

7.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sonoma Elementary

7.4/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Orchard Elementary

Orchard Elementary is a public elementary school in Modesto, CA, part of Sylvan Union Elementary. Orchard Elementary serves approximately 604 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Orchard Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #8,500 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Orchard Elementary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Orchard Elementary runs 23.2:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-13.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,038
Chronic Absenteeism16.1%

Orchard Elementary — Students at Orchard Elementary score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 46.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
72%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
36%
ELA
39%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
35.5%
ELA
37.4%
2024
Math
31.9%
ELA
33.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.3/10.

How Orchard Elementary Compares

See how Orchard Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
11th percentile in CA
Academic
5.7/10
Average
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.4/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.1%

Location

1800 Wisdom Way, Modesto, CA 95355

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orchard Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. El Vista Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sonoma Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakewood Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Modesto, see our Modesto schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Connecting Waters Charter School - Central Valley Waterford 0.2 mi 7.7
Sonoma Elementary Modesto 0.6 mi 7.4
Elizabeth Ustach Middle Modesto 1.0 mi 6.8
Rose Avenue Elementary Modesto 1.0 mi 3.0
Coleman F. Brown Elementary Modesto 1.0 mi 2.3
Lakewood Elementary Modesto 1.1 mi 7.0
Fred C. Beyer High Modesto 1.5 mi 5.8
Thomas Downey High Modesto 1.4 mi 5.0
Sylvan Elementary Modesto 1.4 mi 3.6
Christine Sipherd Elementary Modesto 1.4 mi 4.1
Daniel J. Savage Middle Modesto 1.4 mi 6.0
El Vista Elementary Modesto 1.8 mi 7.5
Somerset Middle Modesto 1.5 mi 4.8
John Muir Elementary Modesto 1.7 mi 4.3
Freedom Elementary Modesto 1.6 mi 5.9
Stockard Coffee Elementary Modesto 1.9 mi 6.3
La Loma Junior High Modesto 1.9 mi 5.0
James C. Enochs High Modesto 1.8 mi 6.8
Robert Elliott Alternative Education Center Modesto 1.6 mi 4.2
Capistrano Elementary Modesto 2.0 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 95355 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,460

Median Home Value

$447,600

Median Rent

$1,719/mo

Population

60,470

College Educated

23.8%

Homeownership

60.9%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

38.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Anderson (Alex) Elementary San Jose, CA 4.1
Aspire Summit Charter Academy Oakland, CA 4.1
Berylwood Elementary Simi Valley, CA 4.1
Bowling Green Elementary Sacramento, CA 4.1
Central Elementary Banning, CA 4.1
Charles Wright Elementary Merced, CA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orchard Elementary

What grades does Orchard Elementary serve?

Orchard Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Orchard Elementary?

Orchard Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 604 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orchard Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Orchard Elementary is 23.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orchard Elementary rank in CA?

Orchard Elementary ranks #8,500 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Orchard Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Orchard Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orchard Elementary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Orchard Elementary a charter school?

No, Orchard Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Orchard Elementary a Title I school?

No, Orchard Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Orchard Elementary?

65.7% of students at Orchard Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
65 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
604
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Stanislaus County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.1%

District

Sylvan Union Elementary
District Enrollment
8,013
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,038
District Rank
#11 of 13

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