Arroyo Vista Charter School

I can't say enough good things about AVCS! As a zone transfer, we have made the best decision for our children to move them to a school where the principal and teachers truly care about your child's success. We love the middle school so much! With a total population of 150 middle school students, it's like being at a FREE private school. It's a very tight knit community of families... I love Arroyo Vista Charter!
—Submitted by a parent

We absolutely love this school Both of my daughters attend - my oldest is in 5th grade and my youngest is in 1st grade. We have been here since they started Kindergarten and have never had any issues with this school, the teachers, or the leadership at the school! It is located in a great & safe neighborhood. Every teacher we've had has been awesome! And both of our girls are doing very well!
—Submitted by a parent

We've had such a positive experience for the past five years at AVCS. My child is enrolled in the dual immersion program and I am so impressed with the excellent academic environment. Teachers are friendly and professional and communicate frequently. Although the principal is strict, she has high standards, is a strong leader and holds regular informal meetings with parents so they can voice concerns. Heavy parental involvement and a strong sense of community at the school has made elementary school an enjoyable experience for our family.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school. I've had a daughter go through every grade and my ten year old is moving to 5th grade. Both have been very happy with all of their teachers as have we the parents. There is a great deal of parent involvement and some great events all through the year. The principle Mrs Roth is very strict BUT fair and keeps a tight ship. Highly recomended
—Submitted by a parent

We just left this school due to a move. Academically they are a great school, lots of parent involvement is highly encouraged as well. However I was very concerned with the high teacher ratio. I noticed alot of favoritism from top leadership with teachers. My biggest concern is the lack of an effective school bully policy. They hung my son out amongst his peers for reporting being bullied. I dont understand what the teachers, noon duties are doing at recess because obviously they are not watching the children.When it is reported if that child doing the bulling is a well known child due to his parent working at the school either on staff or volunteer, they are allowed to get away with the unexcusable behavior. Academically the school is good, teachers are great. However I have seen great teachers let go because they were not a favorite with the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

Originally I had good feelings about this school, The teachers are great, but the way they do things is not the greatest at educating. My 2 daughters attend this school, and both are intelligent, but the amount of homework they bring home is udderly ridiculous. My oldest hates school just because of the homework. Additionally, my daughter recently started having some problems with other girls picking on her. Needless to say, eventhough we informed the school, my daughter is hounded everyday and doesn't want to attend school anymore. She is so spun up by all that is going on she can't concentrate on her school work and often cries at home about how miserable she is. Kids can be very cruel, but the lack of involvement by the teacher and principal when this is pointed out....is not proactive enough. there are other issues but my space is limited
—Submitted by a parent

This is a very nice school with alot of extra curricular activities. My only complaint is the parking. Everyday is a headache twice a day for working parents with younger children.
—Submitted by a parent

I was very excited to now that there was a school so close to home that offered a full day kindergarten program. However, from the very begining I was unhappy. My son's teacher was moved form one grade level to another in a very 'short notice', therefore, the classroom was unprepared or unorganized for the children. Also, the system the school has during lunch time. The children must sit on the floor and wait until they walk them over to their play area. It is ridiculous! It doesn't stop there, but I'll stop!
—Submitted by a parent

I have mixed feelings about Arroyo Vista Charter School and its leadership. On the one hand, I know that expectations for staff and student performance is above average. That's great! On the other hand, I know that many teachers leave after a short time at the school and that proves to be difficult for children. My own child has had 5 teachers leave in the middle of the school year! If it were only one or two, I would probably think it was just coincidence, but obviously the administration has difficulty maintaining staff. I know the staff works very hard because I see them there all hours of the night and every weekend. I have a four-year old that I am considering placing into another neighborhood school in order to avoid the same situation next year even though I love the parent involvement and the curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

Arroyo Vista is an excellent all-around school. I have 2 children that now attend Arroyo Vista and 1 daughter who attended for 7 years. My son is in kinder in the Immersion Program and my daughter is in 6th grade. I have not had one problem at this school. My husband and I are both teachers and feel extremely fortunate that our children are well taken care of and receive excellent instruction on a daily basis. There are several excellent teachers at this school. They are dedicated and hard working. The only concern is the teacher turn over at the sight. This situation has improved in the last 2 years so I am hopeful that they continue to retain wonderful teachers. As a teacher in an economically disadvantaged school I know on a first hand basis how lucky we are here at Arroyo Vista.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is what it is - a valuable educational environment - because the teachers are dedicated, the parents are supportive, and the students are motivated. If one pays close enough attention, however, he or she will realize that the teacher turn-over rate is incredibly high at this school compared to other schools in the district, county and state. That is unusual for a school that is located in such a desirable neighborhood with a plethora of resources. Why is this? The leadership. It is sad, and will eventually affect the students and the community if allowed to continue. It is a shame that such a reputable district has allowed this to go on for so many years.

My yougest child has attended Arroyo Vista for the last 7 years. We have been exceptionally pleased with the level of education that he has received. Every year we have been thankful for the teacher that he has received. The administration and staff are engaged in the education of each child, giving personal attention to each student's progress through individual student monitoring. The support staff members, as well as the office staff members are also very helpful and always eager to assist students and parents alike. The learning and social environment is pleasant, encouraging, and uplifting. We will sadly be leaving Arroyo Vista this June to follow our child into his middle school years.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child that just finished her first year at Arroyo Vista. She was placed in the Spanish Immersion program and it has been a wonderful expereince! Her teacher was amazing and we are looking forward to a new year at the school. We hope to stay at Arroyo Vista till all our chilren are finished with sixth grade.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school with high quality teachers! Teachers give 150% to their classrooms and students.
—Submitted by a teacher

We have 2 children at Arroyo Vista, with a 3rd starting the next school year. We have been extremely happy with the school. It is clean and safe and in an excellent neighborhood. Our daughter is in GATE. I would prefer this to be more challenging than one morning a week, but her classroom teacher is great and she is challenged in her class. My son's teacher has been absent alot this year, but the school has done a good job of trying to get the same substitute teacher to cover the class. He is above grade level and I would like to see him a bit more challenged in class. The principal is very visible and available, as are the teachers. There are enough extra curricular activities, and their is alot of parent involvement in the school.
—Submitted by bernardo vasquez, a parent

This is a great school. This school recently receieved the CA Distinguished School Award.
—Submitted by a teacher

The standards of learning are followed by the teachers at high expectations. Although, the office clerks are not very polite. They communicate to the parents as if they were children also. This has made me uncomfortable going into the office for any concerns I may have. I am waiting for the opportunity to change schools for this reason.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just started at Arroyo Vista, she is in the Kindergatern dual language program. I am glad she is envoled in this program, and her teacher is amazing. I was going to homeschool her, but after learning about the program and the school, I felt good about her going to a public charter school.
—Submitted by a parent

I really like Arroyo Vista. One of my kids excels academically and her teachers have always given her extra work/activities to do. My other child is at grade level and her teachers have been giving her a little extra one-on-one to help her. They have tons of extracurricular activities and they are always involving and encourage parent participation.
—Submitted by a parent