Tahoe Valley Elementary School

This school has an outstanding variety of teachers who go above and beyond conventional teaching. This school has an outstanding blend of socioeconomic and ethinic diversity rarely found in South Tahoe. Children at the school are happy and well adjusted, eager to learn and supported in multiple ways. Teachers at this school incorporate foreign languages, music, art, sustainable living programs and much more...all with little or no support from the school board and superintendent, Dr. Tarwater. The principal is outstanding in his support of staff.
--Submitted by a parent

The most recent posts were written during the year after our district closed two elementary schools. All the district's elementary schools were overcrowded. Learning was adversely affected. Since that time the district has reopened one school and instituted class size reduction in grades K-3. Now there are only 20 students in each K-3 class. My daughter is in first grade and has great teachers both this year and last. I think Tahoe Valley is a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

My husband attended Tahoe Valley years ago. I have had one child graduate from there, one enrolled now and, two more growing old enough. What a difference a year can make. Tahoe Valley was an awesome school. Now with so many extra kids and few teachers it doesn't seem fair. NOT FAIR to the teachers, any of the staff, and not fair to my kids (or anyone else's). How are we supposed to meet state requirements when the workload has doubled! Please someone do something to help our kids...Our future depends on it.
--Submitted by Dana Smiley, a parent

I am very unhappy with this school. My son's class has 32 students to one teacher. There is no time to provide learning to that many kids. Their day consists of a list of work sheets ('busy work'), and if they don't finish they aren't allowed recess! Nothing new and challenging is being taught to them. They don't work on computers, they don't learn about music or foreign languages or countries which all of these where taught at my son's old school. Another mother told me she was outraged when her son's teacher basically told her she, 'didn't have time to teach her son'! My son has been sent home with homework that they haven't even learned yet. It's very sad when you ask, 'what did you learn today?', and they reply, 'nothing', and that is the actual truth- they learned nothing- but, went over the same repetitive worksheets.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very disapointed with this school. My son entered 2nd grade (relocating from another school) with a 3-4th grade reading level and sadly has not been challenged. They hardly learn anything other than the 'paper work' that they do all day. They aren't introduced to foreign language, music, or art, except for being allowed to draw if they finish all their worksheets for the day! There are too many kids in each class which basically provides the teacher to just maintain control of them, but no learning. We will be moving, and I can't wait to get to a new school, where maybe my son will be excited about learning again. This type of education may be acceptable if you just want a 'day-care' for your kids. The staff is very nice & caring, but I feel their hands are tied with that many kids.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is attending Tahoe Valley Elementary School. I am disapointed there is no music or foreign language programs.
--Submitted by a parent

My kids have been here for two years. We are sad we have to move from the area or they would be going to this school again next year. We have had a great experience at Tahoe Valley and can only hope that the new school will be as good.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been attending Tahoe Valley since Kindergarten and I love the care and love his teachers have shown throughout the years. The school has bent over backwards to try and help my son be a better person. I think this school is very nurturing. I feel academically every school in California is strapped and they depend more and more on parents help for education and support in extra-curricular programs. Mrs. Jackie Nelson (the principal) is the best and has always taken time for my son and I when needed.
--Submitted by Kim Balo, a parent

Overall I find the school to be average to below, each grade is one year behind major big city school when I first came here my children came home saying they allready learn the infomation last year at there old school. In talking to other people in big city I found out that the schools here are still behind other school.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter entered Tahoe Valley Elementary School in 1997. I was very apprehensive about this. I had checked out private schools and wasn't too impressed with them. I then went to a few functions at Tahoe Valley and met the principal and I was feeling very comfortable. So I decided to send her to Tahoe Valley. She now is a 5th grader and doing very well. She is a very well-rounded individual not to mention intelligent and a delight to be around. This is not only my opinion as a mother but these are the comments that have come for her report cards. I owe so much of this to Tahoe Valley teachers and staff. They are such an outstanding group of professionals. We could have missed out on so much. Thank you Tahoe Valley, you are awesome!
--Submitted by a parent