California Virtual Academy @ San Mateo School

Our kids were in this program for only 3 months this fall but we had to pull them out because they were becoming starved for the company of other kids. So my review is based on that little time. We LOVED the curriculum and the technology. Homeschooling is a complicated process and it's done for a variety of reasons so CAVA can't possibly meet everyone's needs. So please view this as a critique, and not criticism. We thought there was just too much work being assigned. We're smart, educated people. Our kids are smart little bookworms. But it took every minute of our day to get through all of the assignments. We went from not enough science, art, and history in public school, to WAY TOO MUCH. My kids loved the courses (except for music, which we all agreed was really lame) but they became burned out on always being behind and always playing catchup. Also, the teacher was very disorganized and inexperienced. She had never taught public school before. She was inadequately trained on the school website/learning system and I found myself having to explain to her how some stuff worked. She had poor communication skills, which led to a lot of parent confusion.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been with this school for going on the 6th year. My kids LOVE the program. We like the teachers they give us to help us out as needed. I do have to say that this year we have had more issues with the program than in the past 5 yrs. We are going into our 3rd teacher for my oldest child because of the school changing the grades each teacher is assigned to, and with each change different assignments are expected as the quarterly samples. I have called the head office and haven't had any luck in getting a response as to who our new teacher is going to be or when they are assigning us one. So far one week with no assigned teacher. NOT GOOD!
--Submitted by a parent

We started with CAVA San Mateo this fall after removing our kids from the local school. It is wonderful! The teachers and administrative staff are so responsive I feel like they are in the room with me answering questions immediately. My kids are so happy and challenged - the hard part is slowing them down so they don't do school stuff all day long. It is an absolutely fabulous curriculum and we have the best teacher we have ever had in my kids' schooling experience. There are advanced programs for kids above grade level and the whole program is so flexible its amazing! There are lots and lots of social activities that allow the kids to meet others in the program. The only challenge is the ammount of work required by the parent, but for us its totally worth it to give our kids the kind of education we wish for them.
--Submitted by a parent

I recently found out that many students are not scoring well on standardized tests and there is a huge push to get children at grade-level. This could be good, but if your child is not testing-age (2nd-12th) they are completely ignored. Also, there is very little concern about making sure your kids are soaking up the information. The emphasis is on making sure you log daily attendance rather than true education. I DO NOT RECOMMEND this school. There are a myriad of homeschool options out there. Look into them.
--Submitted by a parent

I would NOT recommend this school, specifically for summer coursework. There is no oversight and it's hard to find assistance when problems arise. My student had technical issues from the 1st day of enrolling in CAVA summer school. She was booted out of CAVA a few days after enrolling during a system dump. Then the entire system crashed causing all students to lose the work they'd done. Subsequently, my niece was told she had to redo all the work she'd completed. To fix their mistake, her instructor excused her from some of her work & told her to complete exams only but she was locked out of all exams. The teacher said not to worry as she was getting a D-. My niece said she didnt want a D & was told that's all she could get due to the excused work. The technical problems were CAVA's & work was excused as a result, but the teacher ended up giving her 0's for the excused work. The administration said there was nothing they could do about it. This was a waste of time & $150. DONT REPEAT OUR MISTAKE.
--Submitted by a parent

GREAT school and supportive staff! I will never put my children in traditional school again. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the curriculum and the format!!! The Cupertino Co-op helps with staying on pace and provides an excellent opportunity for socialization. :))
--Submitted by a parent

We are new this year to CAVA. We left a "traditional" school b/c a "transional" school did not meet our expectation. Our family moves every couple of years and noticed that local elementary schools were at a low standard. I feel like CAVA is much more advanced in LA, Science and Math (right on the money) but History and Art are way above grade level and Music should be dropped or encouaged in a different way (like pre-school music). All in all our child is a second grader who reads on a fifth grade level (b/c of CAVA) Math is on a forth/fifth grade level and is not "timed" or rushed like a traditional school (not sure why they "time" kids). They have a great approach to learning. I do wish parents were more open to weekly "playdates".
--Submitted by a parent

Great program for home schooling. Excellent materials such as books and teacher guides. You meet with the consular 3-4 times a year and she will test the child. Structured too. I highly recommend it if you are looking for the homeschooling of your child.
--Submitted by a parent

school is on probation as having not met the criteria of no child left behind. the teachers and adminisators do not have the childrens best interest at heart. it is a ok program for home schooling.
--Submitted by a parent

CAVA which operates under the national K12 organization provides a good home schooling alternative. Support for advance students is nil, teacher support while advetised in their brochures, is non existent.
--Submitted by a parent