I was an Orchard mom for 9 years (Kindergarten to 8th grade) and also I was an active parent volunteering for the school. And today was another fulfilling day for volunteers - Orchard giving back to the community for the annual Winter Food Drive! It was great to see former and current parents working together towards making a difference. It was also great to see former teachers of my son. I brought my son with me as I'd like him to experience how giving back to the community works. He was actually glad that he went as he was able to catch up with his former teachers. I've started participating for Orchard's giving back to the community outreach program back in August of this year, and I must say I have been looking forward to it every month. The program is headed by Ms. Meuy Saeteurn-Hansen, who is also a former teacher of my son. She runs this program so well that other volunteers from other distribution location have commented on how organized this program is! So, if you're a former or current parent or just anyone who is looking to have an incredibly fulfilling, joyful, and purposeful day, please join us! read more

A very disappointing elementary school with many many many bullies! Ever since my daughter was moved to this school from beginning to the end of the school year this year my daughter was bullied by a couple of students her age and the principal won't do anything about it. read more

What a great day! I was so impressed with OSD School's commitment to supporting its community. The school provided food and daily house hold items (like shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, blankets, and more) for the students and their families during the holidays, which is such a thoughtful and generous gesture. It truly shows that OSD is dedicated to taking care of its students and their families both inside and outside the classroom. We are so lucky to be part of such a caring and positive school environment! read more

Orchard School District - Christmas Food Drive at OSD - Elementary Schools Near Me - San Jose, California

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I'm extremely disappointed with the overall quality of this school. Unfortunately, our experience here over the past few years has been frustrating and discouraging for several serious reasons. First of all, the leadership is completely unstable. The principal seems to change every year, and that lack of consistency trickles down to the rest of the school. It's hard to feel confident about any long-term improvement when the administration is constantly changing. Beyond academics, the school really doesn't offer much extracurricular activities which is a missed opportunity for students who want to explore interests outside the classroom. But by far, the most concerning issue has been how poorly bullying is handled. My child has been bullied--physically and verbally--by the same student for three years in a row, ever since 2nd grade. Even though they've been in separate classes since 3rd grade, the bullying continues at recess. We've reported this multiple times, and nothing meaningful has been done. No disciplinary action has been taken against the student responsible, and we are baffled as to why the school refuses to take stronger action. To make matters worse, when my child finally stood up and defended herself after being hit, she was the one who got in trouble and was warned she might be suspended. That kind of response is incredibly unfair and discouraging. It sends the message that defending yourself is more punishable than being the one causing harm. Yard duties are also a major problem. Either they're not present during conflicts, or they simply ignore the situation altogether. When someone is hurt or gotten into arguments, they were nowhere to be found to supervise the kids or just stood by doing nothing. There are also some strange and frustrating inconsistencies with staff behavior. On one occasion, my child stepped on a roach and was told not to kill it because "it's nature"--yet the school doesn't apply that same level of care or concern to the kids who are being harassed daily. A teacher once even told the class that a rock is a living thing, which is just flat-out incorrect and makes us question the quality of education being provided. We've also had some concerns about the overall school environment. For example, there were a few instances of theft in my child's class, but it didn't seem like the teacher was able to address them effectively. Every year, the good kids my child connects with end up transferring to other schools, and now we're starting to understand why. The ones that stayed doesn't like the school either. Over the years, we've noticed that several families who value a positive learning environment have chosen to move on, which has made us wonder if ongoing issues are prompting those decisions. When I ask my child if she misses this school, she immediately and firmly says 'No' without hesitation -- which, to me, speaks volumes about her experience there. This school desperately needs better leadership, more active, caring, and responsible staff, and a serious commitment to creating a safe, nurturing environment for all students. Until then, I would not recommend it to any family. read more

Just don't enroll your kids here. My daughter told me that this certain teacher (middle school) is awful and she felt uncomfortable near him. He goes by the name Mr. Naz, or thats what people call him, and my daughter doesn't want to go to gym class knowing she has a bad feeling about that teacher. She also told me about a lunch policy where they get forced to sit with your class at an assigned table and that kids were pushing in the lunch line??? You should know that kids feel unsafe if other people are pushing others in line, if you're going to make a lunch policy then at least speak up about this situation because having each class at an assigned table will have no affect whatsoever and will not change anything about pushing, bullying, whatever you guys have in there. read more

Mr. Torres, one of the middle school PE teachers is one of the worst teachers ever. Always harasses my friend about their physical appearance every time we go to PE, making derogatory remarks. We do not feel brave enough to talk to the office but we want to speak up on here. read more

This school is actually the worst please dont enroll your kids here. most teachers do not care about your kids. this is not a prank review just my honest opinion. I'm a middle schooler and I deep down hate the science teacher whos name is Mr.Froehling. After a few months adjusting to that class he started to target me. He would point me out in front of the class, ignore me, make rude jokes, follow along with racist jokes some classmates make, and other stuff. I really don't want to talk to any administration because I know they really don't care about my opinion because they really need this teacher. read more

I'm an ex student from this school I graduated 2 years ago. Originally I was afraid to make a review about this one middle school science teacher but after seeing another review about him, it gave me some courage to make one about my personal experience. His name is mister froehling and he is the weirdest teacher I've ever had in the world. When I went there he played favorites with all the pretty asian girls (not me because I was lwk chopped ) he would stroke down their arms while going "hello princess/pumpkin/cupcake" etc. But with me he completely discriminated against me. In the past after we were done with an assignment we would have to go up to him to check our work. Every time someone else got something wrong he wouldn't do much about it but when it was me he would call me out in front of the whole class like BRO- WHAT DID I DO ?! he also SUCKS at helping people. He's those type of teachers that read the question back to you when you ask for help. Is this school desperate for staff or what? read more

I read the reviews, I went onto GreatSchools.org and because my kids NEVER had issues before in their previous school, had Good grades, tough enough to Stick up for themselves and others, but good to where they've never been in trouble before, I figured we wouldn't have the same issues as other reviews, WRONG!! When I say, them going to this school changed them, that is an understatement. Thank god they're still good kids. But the bullying they encountered. The lack of accountability the school takes or how it doesn't hold the bully's responsible like they claim they will. I with a passion despise this school. I would never suggest anyone to bring their children to this school. Especially if you're a single parent and depend on the after school programs while expecting this school to provide safety for your children during school hours. Please do not choose this school. I wish I listened to the reviews. My children don't even like school anymore. We moved schools and they're coming around slowly, but it's honestly sad at how real these reviews are and that I wish I didn't bring them to orchard. read more

I graduated last year and here is my experience. The bathrooms are never clean. There are dirty footprints everywhere and even a ton of insects and spiderwebs on the ceiling!! They also never care about the students, even middle school students as well. They hire yard duties to help and supervise but clearly they don't care. Whenever it's lunchtime and the middle schoolers go in the lunch line, there are always people cutting the line and going in the front! There is ONE yard duty supervising the lunch line and they can clearly see who is cutting and who is not and the yard duty doesn't do ANYTHING. Hire more people who can actually do their job. read more

I would give zero stars if I could. My son attended this school from the time he was 3 years old until he finished the 8th grade year. I myself even attended this school for a short period of time when I was young,therefore I can tell you this is the worst school ever! They constantly are changing the principal every year and the teachers there do not care to help these kids to learn! If you find your child education, important, I suggest you not have them attend this school! read more

This school is terrible! Clearly they don't watch the kids because my 7 ur old niece came home with a huge bruise on her leg from a boy repeatedly kicking her. They spoke to him and his parents and just told him not to do. THATS IT! Now, TODAY, I get a call saying a boy inappropriately touched her in her private area!!! Came to pick her up and they sent her back to the class where he was before I got here. Been waiting for over ten mins for the principle! Pulling her out today. This school is straight up garbage read more

Orchard goes from K-8th so the middle school sector is pretty small. My nephew just started kindergarten here and he loves his class and teacher Mrs. McCarthy. She seems like a great teacher; she prints out newsletters weekly for parents to read about what they're doing for the week, she gives out progress reports, does conferences, and creates homework assignments where the students interact a lot with the parents. Orchard was struggling once financially with issues of their former superintendent embezzling their funds, but that was like a decade ago. I also love that they have a lot of school fundraisers like they were selling tickets to the giants game, they have a farmers market, bake sale, and they're having a spaghetti dinner with a raffle this Friday! read more

Orchard School District - My nephew and the rest of the kindergarteners had a concert! Too cute. - Elementary Schools Near Me - San Jose, California

Middle School 6-8 Grade: Office Staff: Rude, unfriendly, and very difficult to work with or speak on the phone. One example: My daughter transferred out to another school and the Staff did not fax academic records to new school as promised that would identify my daughter's current grade. Instead, they faxed ONLY the disciplinary records. Students: Horrifying. The student populous is growing and the current ration is 1 teacher for 30-32 students. I am noticing a huge increase of Oakland residents moving to the new housing being built in this area. The new kids this year consistently harassed, threatened and physically harmed my daughter at school for being white. Principal/Superintendent: After several conferences, nothing was being done for my daughter's safety and well-being. Instead, my daughter was being suspended when she was stabbed (twice) and was consistently reprimanded for reporting to staff that she was being threatened and physically harmed for being white. Overall: I highly encourage any family thinking of moving to this area, to NOT move here. The violence at the school is out of control and the District did nothing for my daughter's safety. The District has only 1 school (Orchard) and other school districts are not accepting transfer students and it is extremely difficult to get students out. read more

Im writing this review as a warning to all parents. School system is great other than the fact that their staff/front office personnel not issuing receipts for paid cafeteria fee(s) especially when paying cash. Clearly it states that they do accept cash but when ask for receipt they said they dont issue one. Also, parents needs to be mindful about how the cafeteria charges automatically even though kids has not used their meals. My sons eats breakfast at home before going to school and yet he gets charged of having breakfast at the Cafeteria. Ive asked my boys if theyve taken some breakfast at school again and they said NO. Every penny counts for family of 5 here. Let this be a warning to all. read more

My kid broke her leg and then the school called the fire truck and took her to the Hospital then when we were working all of a sudden we call a call that our little girl was in the Hospital for around 2 hours. We didn't see any thing wrong because them have a after school program that was suppose to take care of her and at the play ground this is where it happened at. read more

The office staff are rude and they don't smile at all and they don't say at least "hi how can i help you" and they just all stare at you until you are the first one to talk to say what you need. They need proper training specially those first ladies sitting down right infront of their office. Smiling and offering help to parents is not HARD to do! They have no proper manners. As if it shows they hate their job or hate helping parents. read more

The school is an okay school the curriculum is harder for the kids to understand and putting it in a hard way

Very nice staff. Teachers make sure students are safe during school hours and even during after school, school dance, and sports. Education level is like private schools, so it is one of the best schools in San Jose. School has been renovated and has a big gym that most of the schools in San Jose don't have. read more

Orchard School is where i went K through 8, and all i have to say are positive things. Obviously there are some new additions to the school such as the Brand New Gym with Full Sized basketball Court and a few other mini courts you can say. The playground was replaced after many years of wear and tear with a brand new one that the younger grade students enjoy. The blacktop now features many basketball hoops for older students and some odd looking basketball hoops for younger grade levels. The teachers teach very well in a happy and safe environment, and when you start a new grade you can always say hi to your previous ones because K-8. :) Anyway, if your child was like me, attended K-8 then your child will make friends that they will know for many years. Now i conclude that Orchard was a great school to attend and hope that yours will have some great times as well. read more

I don't know about others but so far I have no complaints against orchard school. My son was going to well known private school and we moved him to orchard as its closer to house. It's almost an year now for him and we have no complains. Teachers, staff are friendly and knowledgeable. My son has made new friends and he is happy. He is doing pretty good in school too. Well I don't expect private school environment and work with my kid at home. Being a public School they are short on funds and resources, so don't expect too much. But overall, its a nice school. The school rating is not very competitive but being parents we can always work with kids to maintain standards. read more