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Excellent

#110 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 9% in state

Orchard Hills Elementary

Elementary School · Norwalk Comm School District

1130 W North Avenue, Norwalk, IA 50211

Enrollment

526

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

8.5

Grades

2nd – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#110 of 1,280

In Norwalk

#1 of 5

public schools

In district

#1 of 5

Norwalk Comm School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Orchard Hills Elementary

8.5/10

Elementary School in Norwalk · grades 2nd – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Norwalk Christian Academy

Nearby

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

Oviatt Elementary School

6.5/10

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

About Orchard Hills Elementary

Orchard Hills Elementary is a public elementary school in Norwalk, IA, part of Norwalk Comm School District. Orchard Hills Elementary serves approximately 526 students, and covers grades 2nd-3rd, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Orchard Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #110 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Orchard Hills Elementary show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.2
  • IA avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.88 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84.8% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency83% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+8.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.9 pts
Overall Proficiency84% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)82% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,499
Chronic Absenteeism15%

Orchard Hills Elementary — Students at Orchard Hills Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 84.2% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
76.7% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 72.3% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
69.1% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 8 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*
Math
85%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
85%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
76%
2025
Math
84.8%
ELA
83%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Orchard Hills Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.5/10
92th percentile in IA
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1130 W North Avenue, Norwalk, IA 50211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Orchard Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BERGMAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), with a comparable rating. Another option is Lakewood Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Oviatt Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 1.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Norwalk, see our Norwalk schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.2 mi
School Distance Rating
NORWALK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwalk 0.7 mi
Oviatt Elementary School Norwalk 1.1 mi 6.5
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Norwalk 1.2 mi
Lakewood Elementary School Norwalk 1.9 mi 6.7
Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk 1.6 mi 5.8
Norwalk Middle School Norwalk 1.6 mi 6.1
Morris Elementary School Des Moines 4.9 mi 4.2
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines 5.8 mi 3.4
DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines 5.8 mi 6.5
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 5.1 mi 4.9
Wright Elementary School Des Moines 5.7 mi 5.5
Brody Middle School Des Moines 6.2 mi 3.3
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines 5.6 mi 6.0
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 5.4 mi 3.1
Valley Southwoods West Des Moines 6.7 mi 5.7
Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines 6.0 mi 2.6
Jordan Creek Elementary School West Des Moines 6.6 mi 6.2
BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines 7.1 mi 8.2
Hanawalt Elementary Des Moines 7.3 mi 4.6
Stilwell Junior High School West Des Moines 7.2 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,661

Median Home Value

$293,800

Median Rent

$883/mo

Population

16,222

College Educated

37.1%

Homeownership

86.1%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.5%

Median Age

37.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
College View Elementary Council Bluffs, IA 8.5
Echo Hill Elementary Marion, IA 8.5
Heritage Elementary Ankeny, IA 8.5
Oak Hill Elementary Tiffin, IA 8.5
Rock Valley Elementary School Rock Valley, IA 8.5
Altoona Elementary Altoona, IA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Orchard Hills Elementary

What grades does Orchard Hills Elementary serve?

Orchard Hills Elementary serves students in grades 2nd through 3rd.

How many students attend Orchard Hills Elementary?

Orchard Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 526 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Orchard Hills Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Orchard Hills Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Orchard Hills Elementary rank in IA?

Orchard Hills Elementary ranks #110 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Orchard Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Orchard Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Hills Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orchard Hills Elementary has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

Is Orchard Hills Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Orchard Hills Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

24.0% of students at Orchard Hills 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
2nd – 3rd
Enrollment
526
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Warren County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

District

Norwalk Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,591
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,499
District Rank
#1 of 5

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