The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in English language arts. The lowest is 33% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Orchard Hill Elementary School
Orchard Hill Elementary School is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Medford, Oregon, as part of the Phoenix-Talent School District 4. The school sits within a residential neighborhood in Medford, a city that functions as the retail, healthcare, and government hub for the Rogue Valley and parts of northern California. The school itself is a modest-sized elementary school, with enrollment that is small enough to feel like a neighborhood school.
The student body is predominantly White, with a substantial Hispanic population making up about a quarter of students. Smaller shares identify as two or more races, Asian, Black, Native American, or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the reporting.
Academically, Orchard Hill’s state assessment results from the 2024–2025 school year show a mixed picture across subjects and grade levels. In English language arts, proficiency rates vary notably by grade. Third graders and fifth graders posted stronger results, with more than half of students meeting the state standard in fifth grade, while fourth graders had a lower rate. In math, proficiency rates were lower across all three tested grades, falling in the low thirties. Science, tested only in fifth grade, also showed a rate in the mid-thirties. These figures come from a single year of testing, so no trend is available to show whether performance is improving or declining.
When compared with other districts in Jackson County, Orchard Hill’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits among the top quartile. That is a notable position given the county includes a wide range of school performance. It suggests that, relative to the broader pool of elementary schools in the region, Orchard Hill is performing above the midpoint.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate. Discipline, staffing, and attendance data were not available in the reporting, so a parent looking into those aspects would need to follow up directly with the school or district.
Medford, where Orchard Hill is located, is a midsized city with a mix of traditional downtown and suburban development. The economy is anchored by healthcare, with two major medical centers, and by corporate headquarters for Harry & David and Lithia Motors. The city’s growth has been steady, and it serves as a regional commercial and travel center, with the third-busiest airport in Oregon. The Bear Creek Greenway provides a recreational trail connecting Medford to neighboring towns, but much of the city is car-oriented, with Interstate 5 running through the center.
The Phoenix-Talent School District did not have recent major changes reported that would be of obvious interest to parents, though that does not mean the district is static. A parent considering Orchard Hill might want to ask the school directly about program offerings, enrichment activities, class sizes, and how the school supports students from economically diverse backgrounds. The school’s academic performance, while above the county median, shows room for growth particularly in mathematics, and a parent may want to understand what interventions or supports are in place. Orchard Hill is a regular elementary school in a regional hub city, serving a high-needs population with a proficiency profile that is competitive within Jackson County.
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