Orchard Center Elementary

I just read the review by a parent who was not very happy with Orchard Center's Quality of education. It was very discouraging. I am a grandparent to two Orchard center students. I have been involved from time to time in some of the school activities. I only have great things to say about their teachers and staff. They not only care about teaching students who fit in the box of standardized education, they go out of their way to teach "special needs" students. This process of including those children in each classroom is very enriching for kids who would not otherwise be exposed to people who are not exactly like themselves. The teachers go over the top to include all the children in their education in practical involvement in their community and their environment as a whole. Perhaps the best thing would have been for those interested in what really goes on in the school to attend some of the classes and assemblies and observe what really goes on instead of looking at statistics. Sometimes the best thing to do is to join in the education process instead of trying to change it.

They have been on academic probation for quite some time now. We went to speak with teachers about how the school got there and what they were doing to change here are a few of the answers we got. It hasn't changed for sometime and trust me it isn't going to be changing anytime soon We don't have parents who involve themselves so what more can we expect Then we went to speak with the principal his BIG excuse that he kept saying was, "Demographically speaking we are in a low income neighbor hood. Parents don't have the time and don't put in the effort." So because we live in a low income neighbor hood my family members do not deserve a good education. We tried helping with programs and trying to get the school involved we waited all year and at the end of this year we have made the decision to switch schools. Nothing has changes lots of talk but no action. I actually went to find out about enrolling my children there before we knew this. The secretary couldn't give me any info on the school and when she went to ask the principal he wouldn't come out of his office to greet us he sent her back with a sticky note with a web address on it. So who not participating Orchard Center?
--Submitted by a parent

This school has helped my child so much!
--Submitted by a parent

Orchard Center has faculty tuned into the child's needs or talents. We are very pleased with the level of education and performance. Love the music department, too.