C+
Average
68/100

Orchard Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 🏫 Elementary 💎 Hidden Gem
📍 6400 Howells Ferry Rd, Mobile, AL 36618
Overall
C+
68/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
C
2.2 grade levels below the U.S. average · 28th percentile in Alabama
Growth
A
Students gain 1.19 grade levels a year (U.S. average 1.0) · 80th percentile
Resources
C+
Class size, funding, school size and type

💎 Hidden gem

Each score is graded separately against Alabama schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

68
Repit Score
out of 100
585
Students
enrolled
22.2:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$13K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)40%28/1002.2 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
📈 Growth (how fast students learn)45%80/100Students gain 1.19 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 1.07 in 2009–19; 84th percentile in Alabama (recent period weighted 70%)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)15%64/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

💎 Hidden gem. Most students here come from low-income families, yet they learn faster than the national average — 1.19 grade levels a year in 2022–25, and above average before the pandemic too. Growth like this is the clearest sign of what a school adds.

Students served: 83% students directly certified for free meals (their families receive SNAP or similar aid). Compared with Alabama schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are +7 points better than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Alabama. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency29% (−12 pts vs. state avg 41%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21
➗ Math proficiency4% (−16 pts vs. state avg 20%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Alabama state test (2020–21), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
Black27%3%reading -4 pts, math -7 pts30th percentile (list)
Low-income32%3%reading -4 pts, math -12 pts27th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 6400 Howells Ferry Rd
City Mobile
ZIP Code 36618
District 0102370
NCES School ID 010237000944
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 36618

Understanding the community around Orchard Elementary School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $52,341
Per Capita Income $25,722
Poverty Rate 15.3%
Households Earning $100K+ 24.7%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 27.7%
High School or Higher 91.2%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $141,600
Median Rent $1,055
Owner-Occupied 72.0%
Renter-Occupied 28.0%
View full data for ZIP 36618 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 36618 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 36618 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Orchard Elementary School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

Black 80.7%
Hispanic/Latino 7.5%
White 6.5%
Two or More Races 3.9%
Asian 0.5%
American Indian 0.3%
Pacific Islander 0.5%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 585
Teachers (FTE) 26.3
Student:Teacher Ratio 22.2:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Orchard Elementary School?
Orchard Elementary School has a Repit School Score of 68 out of 100, earning a grade of C+. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Orchard Elementary School?
Orchard Elementary School has 585 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 22.2:1.
What grades does Orchard Elementary School serve?
Orchard Elementary School serves grades Pre-K – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does Orchard Elementary School receive per student?
Orchard Elementary School receives $13,185 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is around the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Orchard Elementary School in 36618 ▼
Avg Home Value
$175,038
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,450
1-Year Change
+1.4%
% Renters
28.0%

Other Schools in 36618

View all schools and real estate data for 36618 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026