Orchard Ridge Elementary School

The school leadership and teachers have given my two kids a great experience so far (Eldest is in 1st grade and youngest in K). There are many outreach programs to keep the parents involved and interacting with teachers and the community. My daughter shows me in the Class Dojo APP the fun teacher/ kid racing and other events that keep learning engaging. I know this specific school serves a high number of low income and children without much English prior to starting school. My kids are in the dual language immersion and love it. I am very grateful for the full experience my kids are getting at Anana Elementary (formerly known as Falk).

My children attend this school and we’re generally very happy with it. Most of the teachers have been here over three to five years, and the past few years they have been piloting a new course called “CAMP” which stands for Curiosity, Arts, Mindfulness, and Projects. It’s a great way for students to use recycled materials to be creative. This school is so awesome that some teachers decide to return from retirement to just work here! I’ve had to reach out to the leadership and support teams and they’ve always been supportive and helpful. Only two drawbacks to the school: the building needs to be updated, but MMSD is working on that with most schools. Second being that the gifted students program barely exists and the teacher leading it has an extremely high number of students to support. The core teachers are responsive if you communicate any concerns.

We have had two different children attend Midvale Elementary. The first child entered in 1st grade, which was during Covid. After a few weeks, the school reached out to us to let us know that our child couldn't read. I knew this already, but I was glad the school identified it. Our child was provided with a one on one reading specialist 4 days per week until they reached the expected level they needed to. Now they are in 6th grade and reading above grade level.Our younger child has had an amazing time at Midvale. They have ADHD and the teachers have been accommodating, working with us to find ways to engage our child without punishing them for the activity level they have. I have been very happy with all of the teachers that my children have had.The school has an amazing music teacher and amazing art teacher (who just retired). The PE teacher Ms. Mo is fantastic. I've been very impressed that all children receive swimming education as well as bicycling education. Not every school offers that but those are important skills for children to learn.

Not great there was mold on my lunchable that I almost ate and the school is greedy the said pay 22 dollars to go on the field trip to urban air I could drive there my self and get it for free

I went to this school when I was a kid; and my kids go here now this school is amazing I love how they take extra security they take to the building I feel so much comfort sending my kids here all the teachers are amazing

My kids have done really well learning, but my son has been lost 3 times now by the school in 3 months and one time we weren’t even told it happened. I also have witnessed 2 other children being lost as well with other teachers locating the children. They used to have an 8 rating and are now down to 6 and I get it. Some teachers are really organized and amazing with the kids…other teachers are struggling and it shows. I’m happy with my kids progress but overall not a great experience. All of the events at this school are chaotic and seem disorganized, which we expect a little bit at an elementary. A lot of communication is last minute..maybe the day before telling us to dress the kids up special. The office staff has repetitively refused to walk my kids to class when they were confused where to go. Good luck!