Berkeley Parents Network: COVA - Conservatory of Vocal/Instrumental Arts

Berkeley Parents Network

COVA - Conservatory of Vocal/Instrumental Arts

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Oakland Public Schools > COVA - Conservatory of Vocal/Instrumental Arts

/www.covaconservatory.org

July 2008

My son just spent his 6th grade year at COVA. We would have left in the fall if they hadn't hired a very good teacher for his class. I have to say I honestly disagree with the tone of the other posts about the new charter. The posts were posted in the fall of the academic year. The concept of the school is fantastic. The academic teachers are good, some of the music teachers are great. But the turnover in staff during the year was very high, and I have questions about the current leadership at the school. If you have any interest in this charter, spend a day or two hanging around, meet the director, spend some time observing her interactions with staff and students, sit in on some academic classes, and you will get a first hand experience of how things are run there. Don't go to a school concert, get swept away with the children's talent and rush to enroll. I spent many volunteer hours supporting the school, feel very strongly about some things, and would be happy to elaborate off line. -s

March 2008

Just looking over the past posts about COVA. Seems like the most recent was 11/07 and a lot has changed. Next year the school will grow to about 150 students K-8. The student population is about 50% African American, 25% white or mixed race white. About 30% of the students were formerly homeschooled. The school is full for the fall of 2008 and there is a wait list. Since touring, I am on the whole impressed by this new charter school and its director. anon

Nov 2007

Are there any BPN parents whose child(ren) currently attend COVA? I am interested in information about the middle school academic program and its instrumental arts program. Any feedback you have on the school is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

We have been pretty happy overall with COVA this year. For us, it was a good alternative to the other public middle schools. Academics are emphasized -- assignments are challenging for students working at grade level, and students who are catching up are given support through after-school tutoring. Even though the middle school grades are mixed in one class this year, I feel that my daughter has received curriculum that is right for her. We like the enrichment classes, which are two periods every day for all students. Kids can take musical theater, dance, piano, percussion, wind ensemble, string ensemble, Shakespeare, handbells, guitar, rock band, PE, art, voice, recorder, and more. The school day is long (8-4) to accommodate the enrichment classes without detracting from the academic subjects. From 8 to 8:30 the entire school sings together. 8:30 to 2:00 is for the academic subjects. 2 to 4 is the enrichment classes. We also have many arts enrichment activities and field trips -- SF opera, symphony, Tech Museum, etc. I would be happy to discuss the school more with you privately. Please feel free to contact me. Jennifer

Oct 2007

Re: Lonely 2nd grader is the only African American in her class
Please see my answer above to the question about ''Charter Schools in Oakland.'' The Conservatory of Vocal and Instrumental Arts might be good for your family. The student body is mostly African American. Although it is a public charter, it has small classes and focuses on music, so it somewhat has the feel of a private school. In addition to music, it also stresses academics. It is probably not as smoothly running as a private school yet, as it has just started and is still working out a few kinks. COVA does not have a first grade this year, but if your daughter is academically advanced they might be able to accommodate her in their 2/3 class, and certainly would be able to next year. The school welcomes visitors. covaconservatory.org

Oct 2007

Hi Parents, I am exploring options for my son for Kindergarten next year and wanted to see if anyone could offer some feedback on COVA http://www.covaconservatory.org/ in Oakland. The school is close to where we live and I like the approach but know that the school had to move locations last year and may need to move again next year. Thanks! Marcy

It is true, the school may have to move next year from our current facility near Holy Names College off Hwy 13/Redwood Road. We will not know until later this year if that will happen. Despite some confusion and a facility change in September, the move was handled very well with flexibility from the staff and heroic efforts on the part of the director, Dr. Valerie Abad. She is amazing and has forged a new school that has real cohesiveness. We like the small size of the school and the mixed- grade classrooms. Kids of all ages mix together well, at recess and in the enrichment classes. Academics are emphasized -- assignments are challenging for students working at grade level, and students who are catching up are given support through after-school tutoring. We like the enrichment classes, which are two periods every day for all students. Kids can take musical theater, dance, piano, percussion, wind ensemble, string ensemble, Shakespeare, handbells, guitar, rock band, PE, art, voice, recorder, and more. I am not sure what the kindergarten offerings would be next year; I know that some of the younger kids are receiving Kodaly instruction to ready them for instrument training. The school day is long (8-4) to accommodate the enrichment classes without detracting from the academic subjects. From 8 to 8:30 the entire school sings together. 8:30 to 2:00 is for the academic subjects. 2 to 4 is the enrichment classes. We also have many arts enrichment activities -- SF opera, symphony, etc. I am sure that visitors are welcome to the school. Please contact me privately if you would like more information. Jennifer

Oct 2007

Re: Oakland Public Middle School
Look into COVA -- it's a new public charter school just off Highway 13/Redwood Road. It is a small school (50 students this year, should be bigger next year), with small classes. The 6th-7th class has 18 kids in it. It stresses music as well as academics. http://covaconservatory.org/

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