Orchard Elementary School

Summary:

Orchard Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mobile, Alabama, serving 539 students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. The school faces significant challenges, with a student population that is 80.89% African American and over 80% receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high levels of economic disadvantage.

Academically, Orchard Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom half of Alabama elementary schools, with proficiency rates in Mathematics, Science, and English Language Arts that are significantly lower than the state and Mobile County averages across all grade levels. The school's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the years, from 398 out of 681 Alabama elementary schools in 2018-2019 to 570 out of 684 in 2023-2024. However, the school's African American students and special education students perform better relative to their peers in the state, ranking in the top half of Alabama elementary schools for these subgroups in recent years.

When compared to nearby schools in the Mobile County School District, such as ChastangFournier Middle School, CollinsRhodes Elementary School, and Mary B. Austin Elementary School, Orchard Elementary's performance is generally lower, with these schools having higher proficiency rates, better statewide rankings, and lower percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 6400 Howells Ferry Rd
       Mobile, AL  36618


(251) 221-1571

District: Mobile County

SchoolDigger Rank:
570th of 684 Alabama Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,435 Help


Students who attend Orchard Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    CL Scarborough Model Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  22.2 Help
Number of students:  585

Racial breakdown:

African American:
80.7%
Hispanic:
7.5%
White:
6.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  82.9% Help


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 Compare Orchard Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Orchard Elementary School ranks worse than 83.3% of elementary schools in Alabama. It also ranks 42nd among 50 ranked elementary schools in the Mobile County School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 17.2. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (80.7%), Hispanic (7.5%), White (6.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 82.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Orchard Elementary School is 22.2, which is the highest among 54 elementary schools in the Mobile County School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Orchard Elementary School employs 26.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Orchard Elementary School is $9,435. 35 elementary schools in the Mobile County School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Orchard Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Orchard Elementary School 570th of 684 Alabama public elementary schools. (See Orchard Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:


Mobile County:

SchoolDigger ranks Mobile County 96th of 137 Alabama school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Orchard Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Orchard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 37.27 427th 623 31.5%
2005 36.87 499th 688 27.5%
2006 37.67 487th 689 29.3%
2007 19.64 625th 698 10.5%
2008 43.13 447th 698 36.0%
2009 46.04 429th 696 38.4%
2010 52.75 382nd 704 45.7%
2011 79.25 75th 709 89.4%
2012 34.76 543rd 696 22.0%
2013 57.47 355th 696 49.0%
2014 21.85 569th 695 18.1%
2015 25.18 536th 691 22.4%
2016 21.26 555th 691 19.7%
2017 24.95 531st 688 22.8%
2018 20.23 551st 680 19.0%
2019 44.45 398th 681 41.6%
2021 19.97 551st 692 20.4%
2022 27.34 499th 687 27.4%
2023 25.01 510th 680 25.0%
2024 17.20 570th 684 16.7%
See the entire list of Alabama Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Orchard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 74.49 62nd 392 84.2%
2021 59.85 103rd 398 74.1%
2023 25.42 306th 373 18.0%
2024 27.12 302nd 395 23.5%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Orchard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.70 510th 651 21.7%
2019 55.02 286th 649 55.9%
2021 30.43 462nd 653 29.2%
2022 32.85 449th 651 31.0%
2023 29.21 463rd 623 25.7%
2024 19.00 562nd 670 16.1%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Orchard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.75 21st 39 46.2%
2019 44.82 21st 38 44.7%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Orchard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 30.54 473rd 639 26.0%
2018 27.17 496th 640 22.5%
2019 41.49 415th 646 35.8%
2021 20.77 522nd 656 20.4%
2022 30.20 463rd 656 29.4%
2023 23.63 504th 645 21.9%
2024 21.30 524th 650 19.4%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Orchard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 22.01 512th 639 19.9%
2018 17.24 552nd 650 15.1%
2019 47.18 355th 650 45.4%
2021 21.95 515th 669 23.0%
2022 25.22 500th 669 25.3%
2023 26.73 485th 649 25.3%
2024 15.88 558th 655 14.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Orchard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 30.36 244th 336 27.4%
2018 41.88 251st 423 40.7%
2019 69.71 94th 426 77.9%
2021 41.27 226th 426 46.9%
2022 48.99 187th 426 56.1%
2023 39.54 247th 427 42.2%
2024 29.98 312th 420 25.7%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Alabama State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Orchard Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Alabama State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Orchard Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 850 850
1989 554 298 2 1 1 n/a n/a 0 856
1990 535 327 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 869
1991 470 360 4 0 0 n/a n/a 0 834
1992 452 371 6 0 0 n/a n/a 0 829
1993 448 369 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 820
1994 391 384 3 1 1 n/a n/a -21 759
1995 346 424 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 775
1996 346 424 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 775
1997 282 395 0 3 3 n/a n/a 0 683
1998 240 389 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 631
1999 210 423 0 6 1 n/a n/a 0 640
2000 204 436 2 3 3 n/a n/a 0 648
2001 180 419 4 3 3 n/a n/a 1 610
2002 108 369 2 1 1 n/a n/a 1 482
2003 108 369 2 1 1 n/a n/a 1 482
2004 86 398 3 3 2 n/a n/a 2 494
2005 87 406 1 2 5 n/a n/a 0 501
2006 73 396 5 3 0 n/a n/a 2 479
2007 53 390 6 3 0 n/a n/a 0 452
2008 47 395 4 1 2 n/a n/a 0 449
2009 38 380 4 1 2 n/a n/a 0 425
2010 52 380 0 11 0 n/a n/a 0 443
2011 56 375 2 12 0 0 0 0 445
2012 40 371 3 12 0 0 1 0 427
2013 43 329 3 7 1 0 3 0 386
2014 43 391 3 12 0 0 4 0 453
2015 48 370 3 14 0 0 6 0 441
2016 49 386 3 10 2 0 2 0 452
2017 49 402 1 6 0 0 6 0 464
2018 48 437 3 3 0 0 7 0 498
2019 43 414 2 11 1 0 8 0 479
2020 40 411 4 21 1 0 7 0 484
2021 43 418 3 19 1 1 16 0 501
2022 37 406 2 27 3 0 17 0 492
2023 35 436 2 44 3 1 18 0 539
2024 38 472 3 44 2 3 23 0 585

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Orchard Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 850 34.0 25.0 0
1989 856 38.0 22.5 n/a
1990 869 39.0 22.2 0
1991 834 39.0 21.3 n/a
1992 829 41.0 20.2 n/a
1993 820 44.0 18.6 n/a
1994 759 41.0 18.5 n/a
1995 775 43.0 18.0 n/a
1996 775 43.0 18.0 n/a
1997 683 40.8 16.7 50.4
1998 631 38.3 16.5 55.2
1999 640 40.0 16.0 67.3
2000 648 42.0 15.4 52.2
2001 610 44.0 13.9 74.9
2002 482 38.0 12.7 85.2
2003 482 38.0 12.7 85.2
2004 494 39.4 12.5 87
2005 501 35.7 14.0 84.4
2006 479 35.0 13.6 86
2007 452 34.0 13.3 82.5
2008 449 32.1 14.0 80.6
2009 425 30.1 14.0 81.6
2010 443 27.4 16.1 80.8
2011 445 31.0 14.3 87.2
2012 427 31.3 13.6 87.6
2013 386 32.3 11.9 85.2
2014 453 26.3 17.2 84.3
2015 441 23.0 19.1 58.5
2016 452 24.0 18.8 60.2
2017 464 23.3 19.9 64.2
2018 498 25.3 19.6 85.1
2019 479 26.3 18.2 84.8
2020 484 26.3 18.4 83.3
2021 501 24.3 20.6 83.6
2022 492 24.0 20.5 82.9
2023 539 29.3 18.3 84.4
2024 585 26.3 22.2 82.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Orchard Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 850 34.0 25.0 0
1989 856 38.0 22.5 n/a
1990 869 39.0 22.2 0
1991 834 39.0 21.3 n/a
1992 829 41.0 20.2 n/a
1993 820 44.0 18.6 n/a
1994 759 41.0 18.5 n/a
1995 775 43.0 18.0 n/a
1996 775 43.0 18.0 n/a
1997 683 40.8 16.7 50.4
1998 631 38.3 16.5 55.2
1999 640 40.0 16.0 67.3
2000 648 42.0 15.4 52.2
2001 610 44.0 13.9 74.9
2002 482 38.0 12.7 85.2
2003 482 38.0 12.7 85.2
2004 494 39.4 12.5 87
2005 501 35.7 14.0 84.4
2006 479 35.0 13.6 86
2007 452 34.0 13.3 82.5
2008 449 32.1 14.0 80.6
2009 425 30.1 14.0 81.6
2010 443 27.4 16.1 80.8
2011 445 31.0 14.3 87.2
2012 427 31.3 13.6 87.6
2013 386 32.3 11.9 85.2
2014 453 26.3 17.2 84.3
2015 441 23.0 19.1 58.5
2016 452 24.0 18.8 60.2
2017 464 23.3 19.9 64.2
2018 498 25.3 19.6 85.1
2019 479 26.3 18.2 84.8
2020 484 26.3 18.4 83.3
2021 501 24.3 20.6 83.6
2022 492 24.0 20.5 82.9
2023 539 29.3 18.3 84.4
2024 585 26.3 22.2 82.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Orchard Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,456 (15.4%) $7,969 (84.5%) $9,435

Data source: Alabama Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Orchard Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 398th of 681 Elementary schoolsRanks 510th of 680 Elementary schools
 16.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Orchard Elementary School)48.819.1
 29.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Mobile County)53.734.6
 19%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Alabama)57.543.6
 13.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Orchard Elementary School)5414.5
 39.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Mobile County)45.527
 18.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)47.334.9
 12.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Orchard Elementary School)42.316.5
 25.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Mobile County)46.932.6
 14.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)44.933.9
 10.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students479539
 12.5%
African American414436
 5.3%
American Indian13
 200%
Asian22
Hispanic1144
 300%
Pacific Islander01
White4335
 18.6%
Two or More Races818
 125%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients84.8%84.4%
 0.3%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Orchard Elementary School

Orchard Elementary School ranks in the bottom 16.7% of Alabama elementary schools.

Students at Orchard Elementary School are 81% African American, 8% Hispanic, 6% White, 4% Two or more races.

Students who attend Orchard Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : CL Scarborough Model Middle School

In the 2023-24 school year, 585 students attended Orchard Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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