Orchard Hill Intermediate School - North Canton, OH

Orchard Hill Intermediate serves over 400 students in grades 3 to 5 in the North Canton City School District, a suburban district with approximately 4,400 Pre K to 12th graders. Teachers engage students through real world, technology-based instruction through a 1 to 1 Chromebook initiative, while emphasizing district values of respect, grit, relationships, and integrity.

North Canton was a thriving, blue collar community from the early 1900s until 2006, when The Hoover Company, left town, thus creating hard times for many families. In 2006, 15.2 percent of Orchard Hill's students were categorized as economically disadvantaged. By 2015, it increased to 35.4 percent. Orchard Hill has developed supports for its students' changing needs and remains strong in a tradition, emphasizing pride for its history of excellence.

Orchard Hill's staff utilizes Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Happy Kids and Ron Clark's The Essential 55 to help teach students to be independent leaders. Students learn the importance of mind, body, heart, and self-respect and recognize that all play a part in overall personal effectiveness. Because Orchard Hill's staff is committed to the belief that all students can excel, they continuously collaborate to improve instructional practices and ensure that all children achieve and grow. The vision at Orchard Hill is clear, as its programs continue building students' fundamentals literacy and math skills while nurturing the social skills that are essential for success.

In 2016, Ohio's State Board of Education awarded Orchard Hill the Momentum Award, which is for schools whose students exceed expectations in academic growth.