Orchard Elementary School

6400 Howells Ferry Rd
Mobile, AL 36618
(School attendance zone shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Orchard Elementary School, a Mobile County public school serving grades Pre–K through 5, ranked #782 in Alabama in 2023, improving from #1077 in 2021 but remaining in the bottom 50% statewide.
Math proficiency was 17%, reading proficiency 40%, and science proficiency ranged between 15–19%, all lower than the Alabama state averages of 30% for math, 47% for reading, and 38% for science in recent years.
Enrollment grew from 492 students in 2022 to 539 in 2023 with a student–teacher ratio improving slightly to 19:1; 80% of students were eligible for free lunch, reflecting sustained high socioeconomic need.
Minority enrollment was 94%, predominantly Black (82%), with other groups including Hispanic (8%) and multiracial (4%), consistent with long–term demographic patterns at this Mobile high–poverty elementary school.
Graduation rates near elementary transition (for grades PK–5 feeder) tracked close to state norms, with 87% in 2023 compared to 88% statewide, demonstrating relative stability despite low academic proficiency.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 622 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 95%
  • : Bottom 50% in AL
  • : 17% (Btm 50%)
  • : 40% (Btm 50%)
  • : 15-19% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Orchard Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Orchard Elementary School's student population of 622 students has grown by 24% over five school years.
The teacher population of 28 teachers has grown by 16% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
622 students
Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers
School Calendar

School Rankings

Orchard Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Orchard Elementary School is 0.31, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (AL)
#782 out of 1275 schools
(Bottom 50%)
17%
30%
40%
47%
15-19%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
7%
12%
Black
83%
31%
White
5%
50%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
0.31
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
82%
53%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Mobile County School District
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Orchard Elementary School's ranking?
Orchard Elementary School is ranked #782 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
17% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 40% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Orchard Elementary School?
622 students attend Orchard Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
83% of Orchard Elementary School students are Black, 7% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Orchard Elementary School?
Orchard Elementary School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Orchard Elementary School offer ?
Orchard Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Orchard Elementary School part of?
Orchard Elementary School is part of Mobile County School District.
In what neighborhood is Orchard Elementary School located?
Orchard Elementary School is located in the Pinewood neighborhood of Mobile, AL.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 622 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 95%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 17% (Btm 50%)
  • : 40% (Btm 50%)
  • : 15-19% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education

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