• Feels safe and respected

At Orchard Hills, our first priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of every child

Jack Kinder once said, “High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectations.” At Orchard Hills we “set the bar high” for all of our students, allowing them to reach their fullest potential.

• Has numerous opportunities for “exploration”

Middle school is a time for students to experience different subjects, electives, and activities. Students have the opportunity to try cooking in home economics, learn a foreign language, play a musical instrument, join a club, and/or participate in an intra-mural sport. These experiences can lead to a future career or life-long hobby, but more importantly these experiences develop a well-rounded person.

• Has access to state-of-the-art technology

Technology skills are now considered “life-skills.” Orchard Hills is committed to providing our students access to the latest technology and assuring that all students leave Orchard Hills having mastered our district technology standards.

Academic success at school required hard work and responsibility--but these demands must be balanced with activities that make school fun. In the end, this balance will develop life-long learners. The Element is the place where what you are truly passionate about and what you possess a natural talent and skill for come together.

• Finds their "Element"

The "Element" is the place where what you are truly passionate about and what you possess a natural talent and skill for come together.

The "Element"

As your principal, it is my goal that each student will leave Orchard Hills School having had the opportunity to find his or her Element.

In his book, The Element, Sir Ken Robinson describes some key points about what it takes to be successful in school, work and life in general.

Simply put, the Element is the place where the things you love to do and the things that you are really good at come together. It is the meeting point between natural aptitude and personal passion.

The reality is simple: In the twenty-first century, jobs and competitiveness depend absolutely on the very qualities that the Element celebrates: creativity and independent thinking.

I believe it is our obligation in providing a world-class learning environment to encourage all of our students to explore as many avenues as possible with an eye toward discovering their true talents and their true passion!

“Never underestimate the vital importance of finding early in life the work that for you is play. This turns possible underachievers into happy warriors.”
Sir Ken Robinson

I think my Element could be. . .

The Element

by Sir Ken Robinson

School improvement is and endless journey

OUR MISSION

As the principal of Orchard Hills School, it is my goal that each student will leave our learning environment having had the opportunity to find his or her Element.

In his book, The Element, Sir Ken Robinson describes some key points about what it takes to be successful in school, work and life in general.

Simply put, the Element is the place where the things you love to do and the things you are really good at come together.  It is the meeting point between natural aptitude and personal passion.

In the twenty-first century, jobs and competitiveness depend absolutely on the very qualities that the Element celebrates:  creativity and independent thinking.

I believe it is our obligation, in providing a world-class learning environment, to encourage all of our students to explore as many avenues as possible with an eye toward discovering their true talents and their true passion!

Robinson states, "Never underestimate the vital importance of finding early in life the work that for you is play.  This turns possible underachievers into happy warriors."

As a team, we have the skills, talents, knowledge and dedication to help our students reach levels of greatness.  Each day we will strive to achieve the pinnacle of success as an educator:  to help a student find his or her Element, and then to help that child develop the perseverance to never lose sight of his/her dreams!

Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

(ESLRs)

Expected Schoolwide Learning Results define the most essential traits that our students should know and be able to successfully execute by the time they graduate from Orchard Hills School.  ESLRs represent not only what students should know, but also how they will approach their learning, and how they will relate that knowledge to the world around them.

Orchard Hills School graduates will be...

1) Effective Communicators

• able to...
  • Speak with competence and poise.
  • Listen actively and openly to others.
  • Communicate confidently in verbal and written formats.
  • Express themselves clearly, appropriately, and respectfully.

2) Creative and Independent Thinkers

• able to...
  • Accept and appreciate divergent ways of learning.
  • Think critically and connect ideas across subject matter areas.
  • Use a variety of methods to examine, define and assess ideas.
  • Make decisions after considering a variety of solutions.
  • Seek information and knowledge and apply findings appropriately.

3) Productive and Responsible Citizens

• able to...
  • Work collaboratively to maximize personal and group achievements.
  • Make a positive difference by being involved in school and community activities.
  • Demonstrate character, initiative, and leadership traits in order to take responsibility for their own successes and failures in all aspects of life.

4) Soaring to Great Heights

• able to...
  • Set and achieve goals.
  • Understand their "Element".
  • Assess their strengths and talents realistically.
  • Take responsibility for their own actions and learning.
  • Enthusiastically embrace the concept of life-long learning.
  • Maximize their skills and seek opportunities to highlight their talents.

OUR MISSION

At

Orchard Hills School

We strive to be the pinnacle of

academic excellence by ensuring that all

students achieve the highest levels of learning and

engage in multiple opportunities to find their Element!

OUR VISION

It is our collective responsibility that all students become

effective communicators, creative thinkers, and

productive citizens prepared to use their

skills and talents to achieve

extraordinary success

in life!

Orchard Hills School has partnered with Stanford University's Graduate School of Education Challenge Success to redefine success and to implement research-based strategies to increase student engagement and student well-being. The multi-stakeholder Challenge Success team includes administration, counselors, faculty, students, and parents.

Together, using Challenge Success S-P-A-C-E framework, we have supported several initiatives through increased student voice.

• I wish campaign
• Extended passing period
• Revamped NEST period to better support student needs
• Student Fishbowl discussions

For more information, please email our counseling team.