Valencia Elementary School

This is THE leading elementary school in the entire district. The staff, faculty and parents are wonderful and invested in making this an academically challenging environment for ALL students. The principal has introduced core values that include respect, responsibility and kindness as well as always putting in their best effort. There is an active parent group (Home & School Club) that actually raises enough money to supplement the education process by funding additional teachers and aides. They also fund the entire Arts and Enrichment curriculum as well as making up for the budget crisis on a per classroom level. Tons of communication on the web, Facebook, e-mail and the occasional letter home. Valencia is also working towards being the first school in our district to be a certified Green School and has already been designated as such by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce. I'm grateful to have such a wonderful school right here in our backyard.
—Submitted by a parent

Dedicated faculty and staff, rigorous academics, good mix of students (various ethnic and socio-economic), strong parent community. The Principal and staff are, like their cohorts at other public schools, making miracles with a bare-bones budget. There is a reason our teaching staff has minimal turnover - this community supports learning, both students and teachers alike. Innovative teaching practices like RTI, science for intermediate grades, arts and choir, fitness are provided by the fundraising of a strong parent community. The playground is open for all children -- a Boundless Playground with full wheelchair accessibility. Public schools are different from years ago but Valencia innovates in spite of budget limitations. Any problems at the school are only because of district financial constraints, such as larger classes and limited operating funds. We are fortunate to live in the Valencia community.
—Submitted by a parent

I am completely disappointed in this school on multiple levels. My son is an advanced student and we met with the principle before enrollment to ensure an environment that he could flourish in. This has been a complete disappointment. The school prides themselves in being" paperless" this is there reasoning for complete lack of communication. I never know what is going on in there school because there is no newsletter. There website is terribly out of date. I just feel no school pride. No awards assembly, no spirit day. My son has completely lost the love to LEARN. The principle is M.I.A. and there is no P.T.A.?
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is going to this school for her k& 1st year and then moved to Sonora for her next 2 years and when she came back ... they were so WONDERFUL ... the teachers new what was going on .. they new where to sit the good and needing work kids ... they also new that i am a working mother and helped with my schedule to be apart of my daughters ... schooling helped me help her advance ... now my daughter reads above her grade level and is excellent in math and science ... AND LEARNS and loves a lot with her after school program ... i LOVE THIS school ... and she is not afraid to ask for help the teachers are so inviting ... to her ... and that is what i love a lot ...
—Submitted by a parent

I've been amazed at how quickly and how much my children have learned at Valencia. My kindergartner is reading, my 2nd grader is a math whiz (add/subtract/multiply/word problems and much more). I believe many of the teachers go way over and above what is expected. They obviously enjoy what they do and make learning fun and engaging. They offer an arts program, choir, PE, computers, library time and other weekly perks. The principal and custodian seem to know every child by name. Class sizes are large but so is parental involvement which helps the success of every student. They take bullying seriously and teach kids how to behave respectfully. My only 2 complaints are that the school starts too early: 7:45 (and hence lets out too early) and the school lunches aren't the healthiest (but the kids do seem to like them). I highly recommend this school for the teachers, staff and community. And also another perk, the parents are NICE and not overly competitive with their kids' successes.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school set back among the redwoods, excellent committed teachers, dedicated hardworking parent club, new fully accessible playground for kids with disabilities, 2 computer labs, teachers using smart boards & more technology to come, arts education, and site improvement in the works! Valencia is a great public school option.
—Submitted by a parent

the most beautiful location for an elementary school. teachers, admin, students, home & school club all rock!
—Submitted by a parent

dedicated teachers, great parent involvement, and diverse community of students

I agree that the principal & teachers at Valencia are very caring and everyone knows my child. But I have been disappointed in the curriculum. My daughter has spent K and 1st grade there and it is a bare-bones education - reading & math only. Important, of course! - but there is no science, history, or music! dksljdflj taught to these little ones! Not only In both K and 1st grade there are entire afternoons spent watching TV cartoon videos and reading cartoon storybooks. I find this very disappointing since there is so much great material out there for kids. I have been supplementing her education at home so much that I'm considering private school or homeschooling now.
—Submitted by a parent

I was extremely impressed with my son's first year at Valencia. The level of parental involvement is outstanding, his teacher was fabulous, the principal is omnipresent! She stands outside managing the traffic as children are dropped off, is outside during recess, and oversees the children as they get on the buses. Every teacher I have met personally is extremely caring, nurturing, and supportive. I feel fortunate that we are in this district! Comments: I wish there were more children of color, but that reflects our community makeup; and I would especially like to see a better racial mix of teachers and staff members in the future. Also, it's sad that the budget does not allow for a robust music program. In my day every child who wanted to started learning instruments in school at age seven!
—Submitted by Sheryl, a parent

Our children attended a local Christian private school here in Aptos and we thought they would be ahead of this school when they transferred. Wrong! This school's academics program is superior and the environment here is fantastic for the overall development of our children. I kick myself for paying tuition the past years when I could have had a better school here.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school. I cannot say enough about it. The teachers expect parent involvement which is surprising and slightly frustrating if you are busy, but the result ends up being a well connected faculty and parent body as well as well behaved children due to the actual ratio of students to adults being better because of parent participation. This school was recently grades as one of the top 5% in California and I can see why.
—Submitted by Tim Dodson, a parent

As a kindergarten parent, we haven't had the opportunity yet to join sports or music or art classes or clubs, but I have observed excellent academic standards and progress as well as a high level of parent involvement. I can't wait to have my child continue in Valencia.
—Submitted by Kim Schmidt, a parent

This school is a 'good school'. The teachers are nice and the parents work hard to support the school. For my child I found that it was not challenging educationally and did not meet her needs socially.
—Submitted by a parent

Valencia is a community school with excellent emphasis on educational goals, citizenship and safety.
—Submitted by an administrator

Without a doubt, the best in the central coast!!! I have been a student teacher at Valencia, so I have seen the whole shabang. From my first hand experience with working in dozens of schools in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties,I can say Valencia is the best I've seen. Valencia is a nuturing environment for your child. Academically, Valencia provides challenging environment that stays positive and focused on the child's needs. The school is enriched with art, physical education and interesting learning activities that get studetns excited about learning. The staff is heartfully devoted to bettering things in favor of the entire population of the school and they are a working example of how a school staff should work together. Cooperation is evedent between all parties: teachers, staff, faculty, parents and students. You can trust Valencia school will be a supportive part of your child's education and development. A beautiful community!
—Submitted by Megan Martin, a teacher

Teachers are very strict, which is good. they stay on top of every child's academic needs. There is a diverse economic range, but it doesn't matter to the children. Everyone's happy campers!
—Submitted by a parent