The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Science. The lowest is 43% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Orchard Villa Elementary School
Orchard Villa Elementary sits in northwest Miami, a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade within Miami-Dade County Public Schools. It is a small school for its grade band, with enrollment spread across those early childhood and elementary years. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a community with significant economic need. The school's student body is predominantly Black and Hispanic, with very little racial or ethnic diversity beyond those two groups. Data on English learner and special education populations was not available in the data provided.
On state assessments, the picture is uneven and a parent should look at it carefully. Florida's FAST assessments for grades three through five show reading and math results that vary meaningfully by grade. In reading, third graders perform below half proficiency, fourth graders reach exactly half, and fifth graders are close to that midpoint. Math tells a more divergent story: fourth graders perform well above half proficiency, which stands out, while third graders sit below half and fifth graders land at a noticeably lower rate that warrants attention. Science results at fifth grade are the strongest single data point, with more than half of students scoring proficient on Florida's statewide science assessment. Trend data was not available, so it is not possible to say whether these numbers are improving, holding, or declining. The comparison framework for positioning this school against others in Miami-Dade County could not be applied because the county comparison set did not meet the minimum size threshold for a meaningful school-level comparison on proficiency. A parent may want to ask the school directly about reading and fifth-grade math support, since those are the softer spots in the available data.
No information was provided on program offerings, course access, staffing ratios, attendance, or chronic absenteeism. Those gaps limit what can be said about the school's daily environment and support structures.
The broader district context matters for any family enrolling now. Miami-Dade is publicly reported to be experiencing sharp, sustained enrollment decline, and the district proposed closing or consolidating up to nine schools in spring 2026. Orchard Villa's specific status in that process was not addressed in the data, but families moving into the area should be aware that school assignments and grade configurations across the district may shift, and a direct inquiry to the district about Orchard Villa's standing is reasonable before committing to a home nearby. A voter-approved property tax increase from 2022 raised school funding for teacher compensation and campus safety; that tax rate is set to expire in 2027 unless voters renew it, which is relevant to homeowners in the area.
Housing near the school, in the northwest Miami zip code, reflects the broader Miami market. Home values sit above the state median and are roughly in line with national figures, though they declined modestly year over year. Rents ticked slightly upward over the same period. At current mortgage rates, the estimated monthly cost of ownership is substantial, and the rent-to-income ratio locally runs high, which reflects Miami's well-documented affordability strain. The city itself is densely urban, with strong walkability in many neighborhoods and a public transit network anchored by Metrorail and the free Metromover downtown. Major employers span county government, health systems, the University of Miami, Florida International University, American Airlines, and a range of tourism and hospitality businesses.
Orchard Villa is a neighborhood public school in a low-income, predominantly Black and Hispanic community in one of the country's largest urban districts. Its science results at fifth grade are a genuine strength. Math and reading outcomes are mixed across grades, and the fifth-grade math number in particular is one a parent will want to explore further with the school. The district's restructuring activity adds real uncertainty about school assignments going forward, making it worth checking current boundary and consolidation plans before making enrollment or housing decisions in this part of Miami.
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