I am excited for my child to enroll in our local school and meet neighborhood friends. However, I am also interested in accessing and supporting progressive learning opportunities. Can I achieve both?
Absolutely. The RVSD has been very responsive to incorporating pedagogical changes that offer the best of progressive learning in concert with proven academic success. As parents, we are grateful that they have responded meaningfully to this request by our community. Did you know that each of our five District Schools, offers its own unique learning opportunities? Among them, they proudly offer:
Expeditionary Learning: The gold standard for project-based learning
Coding/Maker-labs and 3D printing
Science Fridays
International Day and World Culture Day
Beyond Differences
Social emotional curriculum: The Toolbox Project
Children for Change: a dynamic service learning club
Theater productions with both cast and tech roles for student-produced shows
A rich Music program that includes choice of orchestra instrument
A robust Fine Art program that offers weekly in depth lessons to fuel creative expression
Garden programs
Mother/father and son/daughter dances
Genius Lab
Spirit building fun runs, read-a-thons, lap-a-thons
Walk and Roll to school- with your neighborhood friends, of course
Ross Valley Schools are proud to be the exclusive beneficiary of the million-dollar YES Foundation that funds many of these superb programs. Because the funds are pooled among all of the students, the offerings are not only broad, but offer rich opportunities for deeper learning and creative content. In fact, our arts programs, which are taught by highly talented, credentialed teachers, are the envy of neighboring districts with greater budgets. This simply would not be possible if arts and music were funded by each individual school.
I understand that my children will receive an excellent education at Brookside, Hidden Valley, Manor, or Wade Thomas. But school is more than just a classroom. What is the community experience?
The Ross Valley is indeed an extraordinary and beautiful place to raise children. Our four elementary schools serve as the cornerstones– the mesh, if you will– of our neighborhoods. Friendships that endure are made here, both among children and parents. Let’s build and support our walkable, bikeable communities and invest in our schools and each other.
Families and Friends of the Ross Valley Schools wish to welcome you personally. Please contact us at hello@standwithrossvalleyschools.org. There is a welcome gathering for parents and children alike in your future! In a few years, we will all wrap up our elementary education when we come together at White Hill during middle school. Our smaller, neighborhood communities will become a larger one, as our children take a very age-appropriate step toward high school. Let’s get to know each other now.