Orchard Elementary School

Went into school this morning to pay for my childrens lunches. No one was in the cafeteria at 7:45am. Or would even answer my knocks at the door. Walked over to the District office and no one is there too. Almost 8am and no one in the District. Powerschool access and teachers are great at getting back to you about the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Having problems paying for my children lunches. Dropped my children off at 8:00. Cafeteria was closed, went to the District Office and it was closed. The School Office was the only one open to help me. Not a good feeling school starts at 8:15 you would think both of theese should be open to help parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I would rate this school as one of the worse schools I've ever encountered, it is required that my daughter attend this school because of the way they zoned the school district. The principal has changed twice with the current principal being extremely incompetent, uninvolved, and unaware of what is going on at the school the majority of the time. The children have no manners, bad language and seem to have no structure or morals that are taught in their home. The teachers however I can honestly say are superb. I will be sending my child to private school next year.
—Submitted by a parent

My kid and we love this school. Now looking at the significant progress and increasing API targets, I am proud to say that my son is going to one of the upgoing and competitive schools in Bay area. Great School, Teachers, Staff and Management. They are introducing innovative ways and constantly seeking out & implementing new approaches to boost their API scores every year. Sure to hit 900 API soon! Go Orchard Go!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My kid goes to this school and the school's staff has been really innovative in introducing new ways to improve their test scores every year. We see dramatic improvement year by year. All Teachers are very nice and they listen to the parents and kids issues and get them addressed appropriately. Just now I read below in one of the reviews, I too believe that school's API growth rate is going to hit 900 within 2 yrs. Also from my below review this is my suggestion, If we see any issues with any of the other kid's bad behavior and which you might think might impact your kid, do not hesitate to communicate the same with the staff, they are friendly and they will get it addressed ASAP. It might be the kid's issue and not the school, teachers or admin staff and all the staff are very friendly to get any minor issue addressed quickly.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not a very good school lots of kids with no manners.Students justsay bad words and affect the little 1st and 2nd graders.I've heard a 1st grader saying inappropriate words which the 8th graders say. Not a very good school but there are very nice teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is growing great. I am proud to see the amazing growth in Test Scores & Stats growing every year. I am living in this school district from 5 yrs and every year its growth rate is amazing. I am sure this school's API growth rate is going to hit 900 within 2 yrs. Good luck to the school and the management. With all the management's and teacher's hardwork, hitting this above mentioned API rate should be easy to happen.

I so do not agree with anything that was said below. The staff there has always been helpful and great to work with. Not sure what this person is talking about Oakland moving into the area. I find this very offensive, my children atened Orchard School from Kinder to 8th grade, with no problems. Orchard school is not a racial school it is very diverse. As a parent you can not leave it all up to the school, you need to know what is going on with your child at every moment. Be involed with them in their schol work and know what they are doing after school. My children never feared going to school, they never wanted to miss school. They kepted in touch with some staff members who made a lasting impression on them. I think the peson who wrote this has some other issues going on and should look into the mirror and fix those problems first before attacking Orchard School. As a parent take some responsibility for your child's education. Orchard is a great school and this is a great community. Please I encourage you if you live in Orchard District bring your children here you will not regret your decision.

My daughter attended Kindergarten at Orchard and just started 1st grade this year. Her Kindergarten teacher was WONDERFUL! Very patient and caring. The kids learned sight words and had weekly spelling tests during the second half of the school year. I was very pleased with my daughter's progress. She loves going to school! Her first grade teacher seems nice. We will hear more about her teaching plans this week during their open house.
—Submitted by a parent

Orchard School is not a school that I wanted my children to attend. Since it is the only school in our district and they will not let you transfer we are stuck for a bit. The office staff are not friendly, to busy in a person's business, and are not educated as to what is going on. The school itself does not have a school nurse and calls you to determine if your child is sick. The teachers that I have encountered barely speak english and the school is floating under the radar. The Board of Education should shut this school down!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is the worst school I've ever been to.My daughter tried to buy her cap and gown from the office. She asked them whether or not she could buy the tassel separately and they said "yes" it would be $5.And when my daughter came back with the money they said that they wouldn't let her buy the tassel separately. My daughter tried to explain that the staff told her it was ok but they denies ever saying anything about it. I am utterly outraged! The office staff should all be fired.
—Submitted by a parent

Orchard School has gone in a new direction with the new leadership of the Principle Mr. Livingstone. He seems like a very nice man and working on bringing up the schools test scores. His office staff is very freindly and helpfull. The teachers have very positive attitudes towards the students and parents. Orchard School is looking very good. Love the solar pannels that should really help out with the school budget. God Bless the new school board.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very dissapointed at how much disorder there is with the office staff. I have called on several to find out about the functions going on at the school just to find out they 'dont know when it's going to be' on several occassions. Mr Yee seems like a nice man but when push comes to shove and you really need him to participate his mind seems to be elsewhere even though he's sitting right in front of me as a parent. Three times in a row. Worst of all the rule about parents reporting to the office before entering the school makes a wonderful sign on many windows. I have yet to see this be enforced. At any given moment there are plenty of adults & I assume other parents walking around my childrens school! This strips away any security I feel about the safety of kids at school.
—Submitted by a parent

I think the school has the potential to be great! The Principal & staff don't seem to be consistant with the consiquiences & this definitly has an effect on the students. I believe the staff are underpaid & do not have the proper supplies to teach to the best of their ability. Though I must agree with 1 of the parents, Mr. Yee, the principal does meet & greet every morning, though he is not esily accesible. He always seems, 'too busy.'. However a wonderful man, as well as Mr.Peoples, a great man! My hats off to him for wearing so many hats. He not only has an a big open heart, he has open eyes to watch our childrens every move, an open mind to deal with conflicts & remeber every students name & open arms to comfort them until we the parent can get there. He makes Orchard!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Orchard for 4 years now hoping that the promise of 'getting better' happens. I am very disappointed. I am moving my children across town for next fall. There are no set rules that the staff goes by. I do like the pricipal and Mr. Peoples, they really care about the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Orchard school has been real good to my two Children, They seem to love their school a great deal, we wish there could be more extracurricular activity oppertunity sent home to know what is actully offered. The level of parent involvement will improve a great deal if there was more time in advance given to those parents who work. I would love to involve myself as well if I was given the oppertunity as a working Mother. And My heart goes out to Mr. Peebles, He is one great Teacher and is an inspiration to me and my Children. He truely cares about the students.
—Submitted by Kari Driessen, a parent

The nice thing about this school is that the principle greets the children and parents every morning at the school entrance. This shows that the principle cares about the school and the children. The teacher quality is ok. The school is on the track of getting better.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Orchard and I have been pleased with the education they have received. The boys enjoy school and have made many good friends. Their teachers love their craft and give constructive feedback about my children's educational progress. The school facility is new and there are additions planned for 2007. A new gymnasium, sports fields, and K-3 play areas. The superintendent and principal are friendly and put the children first. Because it is a one school district, they can focus all of their time and financial resource on the success of Orchard. There is an Early Learning Center for infants and school age care for older kids. My boys have been here for 7 years and will finish K-8 at Orchard.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School. World class education here at Orchard. Think of Orchard as the school to world class Trumps of the future. Nothing but the best is here at Orchard School. Over 100 prime classrooms and over 200 falculty members superior to none unlike any other.
—Submitted by an administrator

In the last couple years I have seen this school do better with all their students. It's quite impressive, the teachers seem more attuned.
—Submitted by a parent