Castro Valley Schools
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Castro Valley Schools
April 2005
We are planning to move south of the immediate Berkeley/Oakland area (to get my
husband closer to his South Bay job), and would like to hear from parents in San
Leandro and Castro Valley about their experiences with the public schools in both
communities. We are drawn to San Leandro's neighborhoods and diversity, but are
concerned about the relatively low school test scores, and the reports (from a friend
who teaches in the SL schools) that San Leandro has the lowest teacher salaries and
highest class sizes in Alameda County. Castro Valley schools have better scores but
the town is a bit further away from our work and friends, and seems less diverse
and interesting as a place to live. We are struggling with how to weigh all this, but
schools are definitely an important piece of the mix for us.
For parents with kids in school in either community (especially in elementary
school), how satisfied are you with the public schools? How motivated are the
teachers and administration? What do you wish you had known before you started
your kids there? Any specific school recommendations you'd like to pass along?
Thanks in advance for any advice and perspectives.
As a mom with two children, I would definitely encourage you to
consider Castro Valley. Overall, we have been really pleased with
the quality of education, the active parental involvement
(especially at the elementary level), and the many wonderful
teachers. You might try going to some of the parent Open House
events (www.cv.k12.ca.us and click on district calendar) coming
up this spring to get a feeling of which schools seem most
comfortable to you. You go to your neighborhood school in C.V.
generally, so this is important in the home buying/renting
decision. As for the issue of diversity, Castro Valley is a more
divese and less conservative place than when we first moved here
15 years ago -- the town's demographics are changing
considerably. Again, being a bit of a research nut, I suggest you
look at the school profiles (on the CV school district website,
click on the link to a specific school and look at the School
Accountability Report Card for more data than anyone needs).
Frankly, I'm glad to live in a community where they are dealing
with these issues head-on, painful as this can sometimes be,
rather than pretending they don't exist. While we moved here for
the commute, bigger house for the $ (back then!) and good
schools, I found I really like the small town feeling and green
space/parks as well.
--good luck with your decision
October 2002
Hi. I know that most of you are in the Berkeley area, but now
and then I see some from the Hayward/Castro Valley area (where I
am). I was wondering if anyone can make kindergarten
recommendations about the following schools in the Castro Valley
area (I'll be sending my 4 year old son to kindergarten next
September.)
I'm interested in the ''scores'' and academic rating those schools
have, but most importantly, I'm more interested in how parents
have found the school to be community/family-orientated, parent-
involved, PTA, diversity, involvement/availability in nature
activities/programs, and availability of sports programs/pee-
wee/little league teams. I'm also interested in hearing about
the principal of each school, because I've heard that's who sets
the general tone/feel sometimes. And if you have anything to say
about the kindergarten teachers, that'd be very helpful! Thanks
so much! -Islena.
I can't speak for all the schools in CV, they're all pretty
good, but I can tell you about Palomares. All of my children
have gone there. Three have ''graduated'' and one is still there
in second grade. It is a great school. It is a family. The
small school atmosphere is what makes it so great. There are
four classrooms and a library/Kindergarten room (K, 1, 2, 3, and
4/5 mix). Your child will eat outside in the fresh air every
day. There are thirty acres, hillside trails, a creek and an
upper field. A really great parents club (they don't call them
PTA anymore). There are activities that you will never find
anywhere else. I'll list them: a huge get together before
school starts to see everyone else again, almost the whole
school shows up and the kids run around like crazy laughing and
playing while the parents all talk; a Halloween parade; a
Thanksgiving feast; a trip to the rodeo; a Watershed Festival
that the county sponsors with environmental booths, creek and
hill walks; a camp out at school with a talent show (At the
campout, the kids all stay up late and have a blast while the
parents sit around the fire and talk and play music); Animal
day/nature day where people bring in horses, birds, snakes,
etc.; and a real graduation ceremony on the outdoor stage. The
Parent's club has done most of this over the years. We have a
very strong sense of tradition. We celebrated our 125th year a
few years ago and lots of alumni showed up to enjoy the big
party. The small school give you the sense of belonging to a
group. The kids remember everyone who went there. My wife
knows the name of every child in the school. We know a lot of
the kids since before they were born. It is really about
accountability. If a child acts up it gets noticed, not lost in
the crowd. If someone needs something, people come together and
help. If you want to join a school, not just attend one, then
go visit Palomares. You have to go by the old school where the
kids did archeology work, cross the one lane bridge over the
creek and through the trees to get to the school. Visitors get
noticed and someone will ask if you need help, and they will
help you. The teachers are environmentalist and artists. The
curriculum is demanding as in all the schools these days. There
are a lot of field trips and overnight trips to nature areas in
the state. I've been on lots of them and love them. There is a
fifty foot slide built into the hillside. New playground
equipment. We don't do too well in the track meet against the
big schools because we don't have enough people. We have birds
flying overhead, deer in upper field, fox and other animals that
come in. It is a great place. Go visit and you will be amazed
that there are still schools like this in California. As for
monoculture: It has a real mix of people from town and people
from that school area, which is Palomares Canyon Road (you have
to transfer into the school, but once you're in, you're in to
stay - if you want). But, I have found that the people I've met
from the canyon have really opened my mind and rounded me out.
I thought it was great that there were some kids in cowboy
boots. They turned out to be some great kids who I really
love. Most people are from very different cultures, as in most
schools in Castro Valley. Go and look for yourself. Don't skip
the chance. It might not be for you but you really owe your
child the chance to get in a small school environment. Most
people ask if it is a private school. They can't believe it is
as good as I say it is. Good luck. The school can be reached
at 510 582 4207.
Bob
I am a teacher in Castro Valley (not Kindergarten) and I think
that all the schools are quality schools. You should know
however, that the school your child will attend is based on
where you live. If you live in Castro Valley you should call
the school district (537-3000)to find out which school is your
neighborhood school. You may transfer to another school if space
is available and you have to reapply every year. I would be
happy to give you more information about each school if you e-
mail me.
kathryn
Hi. Funny that this topic should come up! I've been working
at the Independent School in Castro Valley for a little over a
month now.
I'm running their computer lab and I get to work with all the
teachers and kids including kindergarten. I'm new to Castro
Valley and the school district so what I can tell you is only my
experience at the Independent School.
It's a great school no matter what age your child is! The PTA
is really well organized and very involved with the school and
the children. In fact the PTA president is also a sub. for the
district and she has two children in the school.
The prinicpal is fantastic! She really loves the kids and
dedicated to making the most of her school. I was surprised
at the diversity in the school. I see the breakdown as being
primarily asian (different nationalities), latino, white, and
african american.
Kids will go straight through from K-5 without ever leaving
the school. Parent volunteers bemoan the thought of their
kids finishing 5th grade and finding a school as good as
Independent.
Please keep in mind these are the opinions of one
employee.
Beth
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