The Orchard School
The Orchard School is a private, non-profit K-8 progressive day school in Indianapolis, serving approximately 500 students with experiential, hands-on learning across Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School divisions on a 43-acre wooded campus.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1922
- HeadquartersIndianapolis, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Orchard School does
The Orchard School is a private, non-profit independent day school founded in 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana, serving approximately 500 students across preschool through eighth grade. Students are organized into three academic divisions — Early Childhood (Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten), Elementary School (grades 1-4), and Middle School (grades 5-8) — with two-thirds of enrollment in the lower divisions and one-third in middle school. Each early-childhood classroom is staffed by two teachers, supporting a low student-to-adult ratio throughout the school.
The school's core offerings are a progressive-education curriculum built on three signature programs: Outdoor Education (leveraging a 43-acre wooded campus, remnant forest, and 27-element ropes course for experiential STEAM learning), Responsive Classroom (a research-based social-emotional learning framework), and a Technology program anchored by LEGO Education SPIKE Prime robotics. Extended programs include Kids Connect (before/after-school care), Orchard Summer Camp (open to the broader central Indiana community), and a variety of clubs, classes, and athletics. The school holds dual accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of Central States (ISACS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
The Orchard School generates revenue primarily through recurring annual tuition paid by families, supplemented by an Annual Giving fund-raising program (with a stated $650,000 annual goal) and significant restricted philanthropic grants — including three Lilly Endowment grants in 2025 totaling more than $6.7 million for outdoor learning expansion and a mental wellness program. Customer mix spans families from Marion County and surrounding counties, with 26% of students identifying as children of color. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through a traditional private-school admissions funnel (Coffee Talk & Tour events, virtual tour, applications), and the school is currently conducting a Head of School search to fill its top leadership role.
The Orchard School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Orchard School
- Legal name
- The Orchard School
- Website
- https://orchard.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1922
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Orchard School is a private, non-profit K-8 progressive day school in Indianapolis, serving approximately 500 students with experiential, hands-on learning across Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School divisions on a 43-acre wooded campus.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Orchard School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private K-8 Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nature-Based / Forest School Early Learning Programs (EDACADAD), Full-Day Nursery Programs (EDACACAD)
Keywords
Where The Orchard School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Indianapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Orchard School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition Revenue: The school generates revenue primarily through tuition payments from families for preschool through eighth grade education services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Flexible tuition and scholarship programs available |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
The Orchard School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Orchard School is a private, nonprofit, independent day school delivering Progressive education to approximately 500 students from preschool through eighth grade on a 43-acre wooded campus in Indianapolis, Indiana. Instruction emphasizes experiential, hands-on learning across three academic divisions (Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School), reinforced by signature programs in Outdoor Education, Responsive Classroom, and Technology, with extended programs (Kids Connect, Summer Camp) available to the broader central Indiana community.
Product overview
The Orchard School is a private day school offering a unified Progressive education program for children age 3 through grade 8. The institution operates as a single educational institution organized into three academic divisions: Early Childhood (Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten), Elementary School (grades 1-4), and Middle School (grades 5-8). Signature programs include Outdoor Education, Responsive Classroom, and Technology. Extended offerings include Kids Connect (before/after school care), Summer Camp, and various extracurricular clubs, classes, and athletics. The school does not offer a software product; rather, it provides educational services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Early Childhood Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 97 percent of families report receiving high-quality education from Orchard
Companies that use The Orchard School
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Orchard School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Orchard School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- FLIK Independent School Dining (FISD)minorSponsors school events including the Pancake Breakfast, providing dining services for community events.
- Alumni Heritage AssociationminorDedicated group of alumni working to support the school's mission and preserve traditions. Supports the Woods We Love initiative and The Orchard Woods Remnant Forest Protection Initiative.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Orchard School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Nueva School: A Bay Area independent school serving gifted learners with a progressive, inquiry-based approach and a signature outdoor learning program on a large wooded campus — closely paralleling Orchard's model.
- The Prairie School: An independent day school in Racine, WI serving preschool through grade 8 with a progressive educational philosophy and emphasis on experiential, nature-based learning.
- The International School of Indiana: An Indianapolis-based private independent school offering PK-12 education with international curriculum focus; competes with Orchard for the same regional progressive and globally-minded family segment.
- Park Tudor School: A pre-K through grade 12 independent day school located in Indianapolis, directly comparable to Orchard as a same-market competitor serving the same affluent family demographic with similar tuition structure.
- Sycamore School: An Indianapolis independent school serving gifted students grades K-8, directly comparable to Orchard's preschool-8 model with progressive teaching methods and similar tuition tier.
- Francis W. Parker School (Chicago): A pre-K through grade 12 progressive independent school in Chicago with a similar emphasis on experiential learning, whole-child development, and a nature-infused curriculum.
Regional players
- University High School (Indianapolis): A private, nonprofit middle and upper school in Indianapolis affiliated with the University of Indianapolis; competes for middle school families exiting Orchard after grade 8.
Broad incumbents
- University of Chicago Laboratory Schools: A pre-K through grade 12 progressive independent school founded by John Dewey, considered the gold standard in progressive K-12 education and a clear philosophical peer to Orchard.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Orchard School social profiles
Digital presenceThe Orchard School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Orchard School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Orchard School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Orchard School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Orchard School
What does The Orchard School do?
The Orchard School is a private, nonprofit, independent day school delivering Progressive education to approximately 500 students from preschool through eighth grade on a 43-acre wooded campus in Indianapolis, Indiana. Instruction emphasizes experiential, hands-on learning across three academic divisions (Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School), reinforced by signature programs in Outdoor Education, Responsive Classroom, and Technology, with extended programs (Kids Connect, Summer Camp) available to the broader central Indiana community.
Is The Orchard School a public or private company?
The Orchard School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Orchard School founded?
The Orchard School was founded in 1922. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Orchard School based?
The Orchard School is headquartered in Indianapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Orchard School make money?
One revenue line is on record: tuition Revenue.
Who are The Orchard School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Nueva School, The Prairie School, The International School of Indiana, Park Tudor School, Sycamore School and Francis W. Parker School (Chicago). University High School (Indianapolis) is listed as a regional player. University of Chicago Laboratory Schools is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The Orchard School have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Orchard School.
What industry is The Orchard School in?
The Orchard School's product category is Private K-8 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAA, Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools, with a secondary code of EDACADAD, Nature-Based / Forest School Early Learning Programs. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.