Orange Center Elementary made news in the current school year when OCPS announced that the school will convert to a public-private charter school model in partnership with Lift Orlando following a parent vote. The transition reflects a broader community investment initiative in the South Texas Avenue corridor of west Orlando. The school continued its regular programming through the transition period, including participation in the OCPS Let's Read reading challenge and Black History Month celebration. Families should contact OCPS at (407) 317-3200 for the most current information on how this transition affects enrollment and programming.

Q1. What is happening with Orange Center Elementary's school model?

Ans. Orange Center Elementary is in a transition process approved through a parent vote, moving toward a public-private charter school model in partnership with Lift Orlando and Orange County Public Schools. The school will continue serving its community at 621 South Texas Avenue through this transition.

Q2. Does Orange Center Elementary offer bilingual instruction?

Ans. Orange Center Elementary has a majority Hispanic student population, and the school day provides bilingual and ELD instruction, as per OCPS district policy. The school links families to multilingual parent engagement resources and communicates regularly in both English and Spanish through ParentSquare.

Q3. Does Orange Center Elementary have a GATE program?

Ans. Orange Center Elementary does offer a Gifted and Talented program through Orange County Public Schools. The school has one school counselor on staff and 19 teachers supporting the student body. Families interested in the GT referral process should speak with the classroom teacher to learn when the evaluation cycle opens.

Q4. How does Orange Center Elementary communicate with families?

Ans. Orange Center Elementary uses ParentSquare to share school-wide information. As the school continues its transition to a charter model with Lift Orlando, families are encouraged to stay connected through our orangecenter.ocps.net website or contact the front office at 621 South Texas Avenue, Orlando, FL 32805.

Q5. What middle school do Orange Center Elementary students attend?

Ans. Orange Center Elementary students typically continue to an OCPS middle school serving the South Texas Avenue area of west Orlando, then on to an OCPS high school. Families should confirm the current feeder assignment with OCPS enrollment, particularly given the school's transition to a charter model.