Napa Valley Language Academy

I made the wrong decision to enroll my child there. THought it was the ideal school. WRONG! It is very elitist and regimented. My child's teacher obviously was prejudiced towards same sex couples and single parents. His former NVLA teacher also humiliated children for being kids. My child is now thriving at our neighborhood school where his teacher embraces tolerance for all and creativity. Also, did not like the fact that there are very few African American families at NVLA. Heard that an immersion program in Vallejo will open in 2011. That looks more promising than the elitist program at NVLA. The lottery needs to be investigated. Rich families somehow get their kids jumped ahead of the waiting list, and they are treated better by the staff. Sad that the public has to fund a public charter school that carters to families who can afford private schools.
--Submitted by a parent

NVLA's motto is 'Two Languages, One Heart'. That sums it up. The teachers, parents, students and the entire NVLA staff have heart. In addition, the curriculum is challenging, the music department is amazing and the free after-school activities are fun!
--Submitted by a parent

A great school with a unique mission. The faculty and administration are outstanding and parent involvement is high. We're very pleased our children attend the school.
--Submitted by a parent

The NVLA program is unique opportunity for your child. Your child will become proficient in two languages within the context of state-standards in reading, math and science. The Guided Language Aquisition Development model insures that your child learns through seven different intelligences--all teachers receive this training. NVLA's immersion model was based on the 90-10 developed by Canadian schools in order for students to become bilingual and biliterate in two languages (French & English). My children will have easy road to college as well--as you know, most colleges require two years of a foreign language. In fact, they should be able to CLEP them before entering. I also know that your children will have more opportunities in a number of areas: Friends and understanding cultural differences, jobs, in Napa Valley many jobs require billigual applicants, travel, your experiences will be enriched dramatically, global & cultural persectives.
--Submitted by Stephanie Faulkner, a parent

As the parent of a child in kindergarten, I can not express how thrilled we are with our choice of school. The exposure to a second language and culture has already opened up the hearts and minds of our family. The enhanced brain developent that we know will follow is a bonus! This is a school that certainly has struggled with 'test scores' however, they have a strong plan of action in place and have made progress each year! We consider ourselves very fortunate to be a part of the school community.
--Submitted by Irene Byrne, a parent

We have had a wonderful learing experience at NVLA. This is my sons' second year and he enjoys his teachers and classmates. I had reservations at first, being a dual-immersion school he is taught primarily in spanish. But, he has excelled in his class enjoying both the curriculum and the staff. I am very happy we chose this school for my son and I intend to send my younger son to NVLA next Fall.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a third grader and a Kindergartner at NVLA and am convinced that I made the right choice for my children. NVLA doesn't just cover the regular curriculum but does it in two languages (Spanish/English). Don't let the low test scores scare you, my third grader reads on a sixth grade level in both languages and gets very high scores! Being bilingual will give my kids the advantage they need in our days!
--Submitted by Angelika Riedel, a parent