Blue Oak Charter School

450 West East Avenue

School District

Chico Unified
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

charter

School Map for Chico Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 06, 2024

We moved to this school because we love how well rounded the curriculum is! They don't only learn the standard academics but also learn how to play instruments, speak Spanish, knit, sew, bake and do performing arts. The teachers here are by far the most caring. They love their students and really care about their academic career. My kids have never had such great teachers and we know, we have been to a few other schools. I love how they welcome parents to be involved and volunteer. If your kids are having a rough time adjusting, they let stay and help your kid transition. Our old school Sierra View never did that. It's nice to know you can drop in whenever and you are welcomed as a parent. In the current age where schools cut art and music it so nice that my kids can go to this school and have their imagination encouraged. Highly recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2024

Our two kids have been at Blue Oak for the past 3 years. They both love their classroom teachers and other staff, most of whom have been at the school long term. The Waldorf inspired curriculum has a more relaxed pace in the earlier grades, with lots of focus on art, music, and handwork. Teachers for the most part stay with their classes over many years (looping), which gives great consistency year to year and helps student and teacher get to know each other more deeply. This allows teachers to leverage that experience each year to know where kids are and where they need help.Like all schools it isn't perfect, being a Charter they sometimes have budget and facilities issues, but overall we have been very happy with our experience at Blue Oak.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2024

My daughter has absolutely thrived at this school and I am so looking forward to my son joining this coming year. I am amazed at everything she learns beyond basic education. She is learning how to cook, sew, paint and more importantly lessons like helping, being a great friend and active listening. This school is pouring so much love into her and contributing to her being a better person. She comes home retelling all of the stories and songs she learned that day! I highly recommend this school to everyone! If you are looking to get away from the over stressed kids, too many tests type education, this is the place for you!
Submitted by other on June 03, 2024

I had two children attend Blue Oak Charter School in Chico, CA. In my experience I would say children are encouraged to think about things for themselves before given a set adult answer. This helps them to build their own curiosity and understanding of the world versus looking at the world the same way previous generations already have. This helps them to be free thinkers, along with a curriculum that values care of our environment and community (among other things), the hope is that the children will grow into both conscientious individuals and active and contributing members of society who know how to be part of a group. Waldorf education has been a wonderful foundation for my family and I hope that my understanding of the rhyme for their reason might interest those who are looking into this wonderful school. Respectfully -
Submitted by parent on February 29, 2024

We love Montessori education! Highly recommend Blue Oak Charter!
Submitted by other on August 05, 2023

I had attended Blue Oak from 3rd grade to 8th grade. While I was a student there, I absolutely loved the teachers at Blue Oak. You are definitely able to build strong relationships with them, which helps with personal & academic growth. Coming to Blue Oak you are given the opportunity to learn a second language, your taught to play an instrument, and develop handwork skills. Instead of P.E. you have games class, which is used to build teamwork. Where you play a variety of uniquely created games, which challenge your mind as well as your body. They have a very fun creative learning environment, which brings the old world style back to life in a refreshing way. We learn through movement, playing, music, and memorization. While all the while they are highly developmental in their math, English, and science skills.Kids are able to learn through play by having more than just a 15 minute recess break. And the teachers meet the children's academic needs. Blue Oak is constantly putting in effort to improve the school each year by meeting students needs by surveying students staffing & academic needs.
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2022

Secretive administration that makes decisions without others knowing.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2021

I loved the concept behind the Waldorf method but, at first, was a little worried that the slower pace would put my kids behind. Definitely not the case. Watching 3 kids go through this school has been a joy. They learn everything they should be just in different ways and the use of story and imagination makes it colorful and fun. Wece dealt with zero bullying and the teachers have been incredible. If there is an issue they figure it out with you in q caring, sensitive manner.I am so glad we chose this school for our kids.
Submitted by other on July 28, 2018

Great school, amazing teachers, outstanding curriculum that helps create a confident, outstanding, artistic, sophisticated individuals.
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2018

I would rate my experience at this school very high!
Submitted by other on August 09, 2016

We were excited to try a new way of learning for our son, for 4th grade. Week 1, he only "used" a flute, an there was NO emphasis on academics (I checked daily). The teacher thought my son moved too much, so she placed on beanbag on his head, how embarrassing is that!?! He was absolutely bored, and the lack of structure was concerning. We tried this school for only 1 month, in which time he fell behind. SO glad we decided to put him back into his prior school. If you decide to attend this school, plan on keeping your child enrolled until graduation, otherwise, they will fall behind.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2013

We attended Blue Oak for a couple of years. While I have great love for the Waldorf method and am still close friends with a lot of the parents and staff I unfortunately don't think this school is working. Blue Oak has many beautiful aspects to it, but educationally its lacking considerably. If your child is a strong and independent learner I'm sure she or he will be fine once moving on. Unfortunately a large percent of the students at this school are so far behind and I'm worried for them.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2013

This is my daughter's second year at Blue Oak. This school is amazing! My daughter has rediscovered her love of learning. Her teacher is committed to her kids on a level we never experienced at a traditional public school. The approach is wonderful. (I wish I would have had this opportunity as a child.) My only regret is that we did not have access to Blue Oak earlier in my child's educational process. I highly recommend this school as a place where children learn in a supportive, loving, engaging and empowering environment. My daughter just started the middle school years, dreaded by many, and is having her best school year yet.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2013

My child was at Blue Oak for 3 years, 2 which were wonderful. Led by a veteran Teacher my child had a similar experience to the many reviews below. Fast forward to her 3rd year her veteran teacher had left, new administration and new values came to the school. I couldn't have been more disappointed in the administrations handling of my daughters special learning needs. The administration chose to punish my child for her lack of achievement once I contacted them about evaluating her for a learning disability. Through several meetings, I was told that the principal would not support anything other than a punitive approach as the principal who barely knew my child did not believe she had a learning disability - in her words my shy child who never got into trouble had an attitude problem. After meeting 3 other families this was happening to I removed my child from the school. Since then my child has been diagnosed with ADD, Social Anxiety disorder and several learning disabilities. Though I was a former believer, I can no longer recommend this school based on the treatment we received when we asked for help - I especially discourage any children enrolling that have special needs.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2012

I have three children attending Blue Oak. There is honestly not one other comparable public school in Chico. Two of my children play cello in the community orchestra that is offered. They are all engaged with a love of books. The difference in my children's attitudes about school has been profound since transfering to Blue Oak. Each of them looks forward to school and finds the methodology of delivering the curriculum to be very stimulating. Thank goodness for a school that educates the WHOLE child. The faculty and administration are all very supportive. The parent community is committed to making this school great.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2012

My two children are Blue Oak kids. I can't state enough how great a difference this school has made in my family's life. We love Blue Oak.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2011

Our child went to another public school in this community for two years before coming to Blue Oak. The difference in his increased level of self-esteem and willingness to learn has been simply astounding. This school does a remarkable job of building a child's capacity for lifelong learning.