Santa Clarita Valley International School

This is our first year at SCVi, with kids in 7th and 5th. I'm confident this is the right school for my boys. They're happier, have made many friends and are indeed learning. Their teachers are VERY dedicated. As for the STAR, my kids have always scored advanced. So what? That test does NOT reflect what they know or don't know. I've gone through released STAR questions with my kids. Often when they missed one, they gave me a good reason why they chose the "wrong" answer. Standardized tests give you standardized results. SCVi knows that children aren't "standardized". But don't ask SCVi to "fix" your child. Schools aren't miracle workers. If you want by-the-book instruction, kids glued to their seats and trained to spit out the "right" answer but unable to demonstrate an independent thought or action, don't bring your children to SCVi. If you want a school where your kids can learn HOW to find information, will learn to work in a team and become innovative thinkers, then take a look at SCVi. If you want to be very involved in your child's education through high school, want the chance to know every kid in his or her class, even if you have ideas for new programs, then consider SCVi.
--Submitted by a parent

If you have a child who can benefit from hands on interdisciplinary and project based learning - you might like SCVI. If you want your child to be responsible for and engaged in their own learning - you might like SCVI. If you want your child to be allowed to reach their potential, to learn problem solving and leadership skills - you might like SCVI. If you prefer presentation over testing - you might like SCVI. To research the approach or methods - check the SCVI website. Under 'curriculum', find 'teacher toolbox' and there is a plethora of information - also note the recommended reading section. Public school was useless waste of time for us. Methods were archaic. My kids were never engaged or learned much of anything. Since changing to SCVI 2 years ago, they are engaged, learning and surpassing grade levels. I post the information above because I am sorry to read poor reviews from parents. They seem angry with the school, but it makes me angry with them - I was on the waiting list for 2 years while their child did nothing but take up space! Maybe if they had done their homework first? Why be angry with a school of choice? Just go and make room for learners who will benefit.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm thrilled to be a part of such a caring and non-traditional school. Both of my children started this year. My 4th grader and my K learner love this school! The staff and Administration really care about the success of the students and are always available to answer questions. My 4th grade son finally doesn't give me problems with getting up for school and actually thinks school is cool now. I spend quite a bit of time volunteering and have gotten to know many people in such a short period of time. I wish more schools like this were available for other families. It's a perfect fit for us and I will continue to promote this school to everyone that I know that is tired of the traditional education their children are receiving. So sad to read some of the negative reviews. We have not had that experience at all! Guess you can't please everyone. It's not a one size fits all school, it's individual learning for each child. It's a great school for independent thinkers and parents that want more than 'busy work' for their children. My family finally has quality time in the evening together as a family.
--Submitted by a parent

In having left SCVi prior, we have now returned for various reasons. Though in the public school system, our son's academic foundation was thriving and his STAR results for 2011 were in the 400's in all areas, socially and emotionally he was being squashed. The teasing and bullying that went on was unreal and the behaviors were tolerated. The problem was exacerbated and my son was in tears daily and getting hives in anxiety. The high scores weren't worth anything. He was being ostracized and isolated by the other kids who said he was weird and stupid. SCVi is making many improvements and changes and we originally misjudged it. No child there is left behind socially nor emotionally and this is something other schools fail to do. High test scores mean nothing if your child's self esteem is being chipped away. The 4-5 hours of homework a night for 6th grade at the public school didn't help either. At least SCVi is open to parent input and open to making the changes necessary to improve on all levels.
--Submitted by a parent

The API scores were posted on the california Department of Education web site today...SCVi dropped again! They are down another 20 points and have fallen below 800. year one 843, year two 810 year three 790! Down 53 points in three years. Along with teachers that leave mid year every year, the chaotic environment without discipline, this charter school gives charter schools a bad name. What a sad excuse for education! What is the Hart District doing???

When we started at this school, the teachers our kids had didn't know they were getting a new student! They weren't expecting our kids and seemed really stressed out and put off by having an additional student in their class. We should have turned around and left right there and then. Esp. after seeing the parking lot where the kids play and the sad excuse for a library. Save yourself the trouble and go somewhere else.
--Submitted by a parent

SCVi Charter School is an amazing fit for our kids/family. We are extremely happy here and can't wait for school to start in a couple of weeks.
--Submitted by a parent

They have not promised us anything. They told us that the school is not for everyone and that we should know if it is a good fit for our kids. My point is - you came to SCVi because you were not happy with the other school which was the case with us as well. We are all trying to provide our children with best possible education experience and that could be quite different from person to person depending on our expectations. I am very happy that your kid likes the current public school (my son didn't) and since we are all different, we do different jobs, like different things, we may prefer a different way in education. We were explained that the emphasis will be to develop love for learning and that the emphasis will not be only on testing but rather on social and emotional development in addition to standard learning. After having our kids at SCVi for 2 years it is clearly visible by the overall interest in learning and their interaction with their peers and other people that they are certainly advancing in the right direction. Our younger son who started at SCVi in first grade is much farther ahead compared to where our older son was after his first 2 years in the public school.
--Submitted by a parent

In case you wonder why the school has bad reviews , it is a school that promises results with no follow through, A good sales pitch I wanted to believe. If we knew that ,we would not have left where we were. Just like a lot of other people that have left, It is a revolving door, why do they loose so many students???, maybe test scores do matter especially when 6th grade got 29% on test scores in math and STATEWIDE average was 52%. If you are thinking of attending this school really take the time and ask your child to show you what they have learned. When having a teacher conference ask the teacher questions don't leave it to your child to tell you what they have done, you can ask them any time. What my child did in a year there he did in a week in public school.It was my children's choice to leave and they are extremely happy and proud to be learning something.
--Submitted by a parent

Why should someone not tell what there experience at the school was whether it was positive or negative? If the school is really as good as some people say it is then it should not matter what anyone say's as the school will represent itself with the children it is educating. I can say that I did give the school a fair chance and it was not a good choice for us and any one who is thinking of putting there child there should see there are people who like it and some who don't.
--Submitted by a parent