Rio Vista Elementary School

This school is amazing. My children attend this school for three years, and where very ahead. They were involved in student council, band, njhs, and sports. They all did amazing. The teachers are very comprehensive! Mrs. Aguilar was genuinely amazing. I am grateful that she was my child's teacher. She did an amazing job teaching her. Ms.Malave was also a great teacher. when my kids had to move school because we moved houses they were a head. Rio Vista is an amazing school that provides an outstanding form of education. I highly recommend this school to everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Relocated from TX for wrk - schools here in general are disappointing. 8th grader who is very passive girl was bullied & punched w/in 1st 3wks. that aside the student quality is rough - not sure what kind of homes some of these kids come from but some even scare me! my 2nd grader did great, but very outgoing kid anyway. Teacher said she is ahead of pace - but never did anything to accelerate her (like gifted testing, advance placement - but let her "help" struggling peers). My 8th grader struggles in math but an A student elsewhere. her math teacher was fab!other 8th grade teachers are lazy. They quit teaching by mid april (came home w/ a pack of riddles they worked on the whole last month instead of doing actual science work - the riddles weren't even science related). get to 9th grade now & find out the teachers did not recommend my student for any advanced classes even though she was honor society student in TX (better & tougher academically) & exceeded on AIMS? so starting off HS having to fight to get changed to honors (which is full of course). Like New principal -firm disciplinarian - needed here. Btm line - u have to push to get what's needed for your kid to excel.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended this school from when it opened in 2002(2003)-2008, and it was a great school. I loved my teachers, and the staff knew me well, and I knew them well. I had some bully problems in 2005, when they decided to combine the 5th grade and the 6th grade, and I was picked on by both grades. The school didn't do very much to prevent the bullying, they only sent the kids to the office multiple times, and just made them sit there, while, it didn't teach them a lesson, because their parents didn't care. As the process didn't work, they still did it, and the bullying rose, I had to handle the situation myself, by fighting the bullies. I also, got severely punished, for stating my own political views to a teacher, who had opposite views as me, I was punished, because of my views on the government... Other than that, the school was great, I had a great experience, and I was glad I attended that school.

It seemed that when my kids started at this school four years ago, it was going to be a good enviroment for learning and growing. The first year was great, the second year not as good, the third year got a little better, now here we are in the fourth year and it has already started off horribly. Mind you these principals and teachers work with young kids and young teens, once the kids hit the teen years they become more of a challenge. It seems these teachers and the principal and vice princpal do not know how to handle teens! I believe they are on a power trip....it seems they want respect and to be treated fairly, but do not show this in return to the students or the parents. I am very disappointed in the leadership of this school! Working together would help all parties be more successful! This school is such a disappointment!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had a horible experience with a teacher "Mrs Aguliar" 6th grade teacher , with being a bully to my son and to other students.
—Submitted by a parent

Rio vista is out standing my child has gone there for 5 years since kindergarten the teachers are outstanding they push the children to do the best they can in every subject! Rio vista offers so many things spirt line, basket ball , pep , math challenge for the lucky students , njhs , stu co and more. Amazing i say, I truly love rio vista and this is why my child will graduate from rio vista!
—Submitted by a parent

not impressed with any part of this school. Never have been. The principal seems ok at first but when you have a real concern she ignores you.
—Submitted by a parent

Rio Vista is a great has a great learning enviorment. My Grandson loves going their. The classes are smaller and the teachers are outstanding! It really has small town kinda of feel . You know not like some of these large schools were things feel and look out of control. Excellence in motion that's Rio Vista in my opinion.

This school is really working hard to continue to give each child a good education and a safe environment for them to learn. I have had my daughter in this school for 3 years now and it has been a positive experience and the teachers have all amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

My two boys began Rio Vista mid-year of 4 & 7th grade and the transition went beautifully. The teachers were supportative and helpful. Rio Vista's 7th grade staff is probably the best group of teachers either of my sons have had. But Ms.Post, Mr. Dostal and Ms.Weber are committed,involved and encouraging. PTO is very disappointing I have signed up 2 yrs in row and have never been called and my offers of involvement have gone unanswered. And the after-school programs are non-existent.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughters attended Rio Vista for 2 years and then my husband and I moved to the Union District. Their father moved back to the Rio Vista District just so they could return to school there. We've had a great experience at Rio Vista. The teachers all seem to care and work hard. The pricipals respond to my calls or emails immediately. I don't like that there are no after school sports for the junior high students though. Overall, Rio Vista is a 10 in my book.
—Submitted by Lina Lujan, a parent

My son has attended Rio Vista for approximately 3 years now, I have no complaints. The staff is awesome and very concerned for the well being of our children. There is constant communication between students, teachers and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Rio Vista for 2 years, now and we have very few complaints. One point of concern, though, when a teacher is absent, often times the class is split up and divided among other teachers' classes and during this time, there is little or no instruction. Other than that, good job Rio Vista.
—Submitted by Tanya, a parent

I have not been pleased at all with Rio Vista. My daughter was just barely transitioned out of resource math at her previous school and we were informed that she'd just be placed in a regular math class. There has been no individual help and teachers have been disrespectful and unattentive to her. She received a grade of F on her report card for two quarters and not once did the teacher contact me or show the slightest concern. My daughter has just been miserable at the school and hates to go. I get the feeling that parental involvement is perceived as a nuisance by the teachers and is not welcomed. We are moving just to get my daughter out of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, interested and caring staff. Good extra programs, including the only strings program in the district! Good administration, they have always been attentive to my needs.
—Submitted by a parent

Rio Vista is a wonderful school. We love the teachers and the two principals! Lots of attention to my child's needs.
—Submitted by Marie, a parent

I have been disapointed since my son entered the middle school. Elementary portion seemed to be a better environment. There are virtually no after school sports or programs for this age group compared to other middle schools in the area that have separate campuses from elementary schools. Very difficult time getting parental involvement....PTO program has had hard time getting off the ground since school opened. Most families seem to be dual-income families with little volunteer time. Majority of teachers seem to be extremely young and recently graduated. Because of young age, they seem to relate well to the teens, such as having MySpace profiles for the kids to email them. Communication between parents and teachers could be improved.
—Submitted by Rhonda Dimmick, a parent

The school was an effective school the first few years of operation. Since then, the principal job has been split and is now job share. While I support job sharing in general, I don't feel that a principal can effectively do their job only half time. Parents in general fear to become involved due to principals lack of parental support. There are a handfull of exceptional teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids really liked this school. The teachers are very caring and interactive with the kids and parents. If we still lived in Avondale, my kids would still go there.
—Submitted by a parent

I loved Rio Vista. My child attended the school for 3 years. He had wonderful teachers and administrators throughout his experience. The school provided experiences above and beyond what is normally expected from and elementary school. Parent involvement was lacking but may be due to the school being relatively new.
—Submitted by a parent