The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in Math. The lowest is 35% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Orchard Hills Elementary School
Orchard Hills Elementary School is a regular public school in the Novi Community School District, serving kindergarten through fourth grade on Quince Drive in Novi, Michigan. It sits in one of Oakland County's fastest-growing suburbs, a car-oriented city roughly a half-hour northwest of downtown Detroit. Novi has no traditional downtown core; civic life centers on the Novi Civic Center and scattered retail clusters near highway interchanges, with Twelve Oaks Mall anchoring the city as a major regional shopping destination. The city hosts a substantial base of employers in healthcare, automotive technology, logistics, and research and development, which gives the community an economically diverse, white-collar character.
The school's enrollment is moderate for a K-4 building, with fairly even distribution across the five grade levels. Its student body reflects Novi's demographic mix: white students form a plurality, with a large Asian student population and smaller Black, Hispanic, multiracial, and Native American presences. Just under a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is relatively low for a public school and consistent with Novi's broadly middle- and upper-middle-class profile. Data on English learners and students with individualized education programs was not reported, so those populations cannot be characterized here.
On Michigan's M-STEP assessment, Orchard Hills posted strong results in the most recent year. Math proficiency was solid across both tested grades, with fourth-grade results particularly strong, and English language arts proficiency held steady in the same range for both grades. A science proficiency rate is reported only from an older testing cycle and sits notably lower, though that single figure is dated enough that a parent may want to ask the school about current science instruction and outcomes. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school's combined proficiency places it in the top quartile relative to districts in Oakland County, which is a meaningful marker of academic strength in a county with many high-performing systems.
Because Orchard Hills serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the state does not test kindergarten through second grade, so assessment data covers only third and fourth grades. Chronic absenteeism data was not available for this school.
Novi's housing market reflects its growth and desirability. Home values in the school's zip code sit above both the state and national benchmarks, with modest year-over-year appreciation. Rents are moderate relative to mortgage costs, making renting somewhat more affordable than buying at current interest rates. The broader county market shows healthy inventory with homes spending roughly a month on the market. Oakland County's price-to-income ratio suggests that buying a home here requires a solid income, which aligns with the area's professional employment base.
The Novi Community School District is in a period of active expansion. The district is building a ninth school to address growing enrollment, and the Board of Education recently approved a three-year strategic plan running through 2027 that centers on excellence, equity, leadership in learning, and curiosity. These priorities shape curriculum and instruction across all district schools, including Orchard Hills. The district is one of the city's major employers, which reinforces the connection between the school system and the community's identity.
Orchard Hills fits a family looking for a strong elementary academic foundation in a diverse, economically stable, and growing suburban setting. The school's proficiency results are genuinely strong by county standards, the peer environment reflects Novi's international and professional character, and the district is investing in capacity and strategic direction. The main gap a parent might notice is the dated science figure, and the absence of reported data on English learners and special education populations means families relying on those services should contact the school directly to understand what is available.
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