Orangevale Open K-8

5630 Illinois Avenue

School District

San Juan Unified
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for San Juan 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 February 18, 2023

Been with this school for a couple decades. After 3 principals, I can say by far the current principal Rick is the worst. He's more of a politician than a principal. He has never resolved any issues with bullying, teachers or safety concerns because he's too busy trying to give the "PC" response and keep from getting his hands dirty. I have watched this school slowly degrade over time and think it's only a matter of time before it's considered one of the worst. You have to pay annual "donations", however you're treated like a second class citizen if you're not one of the "cool" parents or parent of one of the "cool" kids. It's very cliquish. Although I'm a fan of some of the more veteran teachers, I feel this school is going in the wrong direction. Most importantly, I miss having a real principal who cared about the parents and kids more than his/her own political career. Don't waste your time. They're always wondering why they're losing kids to middle schools and surrounding schools, but it's no mystery to me.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2023

My daughter recently transferred from a local private catholic school in which she was bullied and did not look forward to learning. Now that she is here she is excited for school, she loves her teacher and has many friends. Hearing her say that they make learning fun is amazing! Learning should be fun and exciting! The interaction I have had with school staff has been nothing short of amazing. This school is changing my kiddos life in all the best ways! Thank you OVO!
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2022

I had high hopes for this school but now that we are in a different state, let me tell you how much of a joke this school is. We were in a pandemic towards the end of Kindergarten and while I understand everyone was pivoting, we came back for 2nd grade and my kid's teacher started to be no-nonsense to everyone in an email and that was off-putting. It was callous and RUDE and we just came back from a pandemic and she expected every kid to know everything. She gave so much homework in every assignment... we are talking about 2nd graders here ya'll. lol. Don't be a teacher's aide because you will wind up doing the grunt work and everything. So much so that for Teacher's Appreciation Week, my kid wanted to send a note to the Teacher's Aide and not the actual teacher. In my kid's current school, she is thriving and making A's in an "8" school vs this current "7" school. In our new school, we don't have a Teacher's Aide... we have an actual teacher and we don't have to volunteer.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2021

My kids started in kindergarten and my youngest is in his final year. What seemed like a magical place in the beginning is now the place we can't wait to be done with. I have spent countless hours volunteering in classrooms and going on field trips. Unfortunately, the principal makes many promises and delivers on few of them. The middle school program is weak. If you are lucky enough to get in the right class, you might do ok. Do you want to take that risk? I wish I had considered Carnegie or other options in 6th grade. The advanced classes at OVO are a joke.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2021

Most importantly, and not in the great schools grading system, our kids love to go to school. It is fun. The hands on activities make learning enjoyable. When learning is fun, retention is better and our kids develop a love for learning here. The parent participation component and “open” philosophy make this campus a special place for kids to learn. Our students achieve academically high ratings going from 8th grade directly into Honors classes at Bella Vista High School.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2020

The parent involvement and the opportunities afforded the students surpasses any school in the area
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2020

10/10. Enough cannot be said about the teachers and parent community
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2016

I have two children at OVO and we absolutely love it! It is an amazing and unique school but anyone who is trying to decide whether or not to send their children there should understand all that is involved. There are monthly dues (donations) that must be paid for each student, every month. If you do not pay these dues, none of the children in the class will be able to go on some very special and educationally valuable field trips. They will also miss out on all of the other special things that cost money and make this school the amazing place that it is. If you are unable to pay, there are scholarships available but you must fill out the appropriate paperwork so that our class can raise money for you. Please do not send your child to OVO if you are not willing to commit money and time to our great school. We have some of the most generous, loving and kind parents that give their time and love to our children on a regular basis. You do not have to be a stay-at-home mom, I work full time and still contribute my time outside of school hours. I hope that OVO will remain the amazing educational experience that it has been for so many years but that is up to the parents. I just want to be sure that people who want to join our school, understand what it is all about.
Submitted by other on May 13, 2016

OVO is a fantastic school because of the families. These are parents who truly care about their child's education. This is a very parent-involved school with parent meetings every month and tons of activities, parties and field trips. If you just want to drop your child off and pick them up and not make any new friends or get involved, this is not the school for you. Please only send your child here if you are willing to sacrifice time and money (or ask for financial assistance). We pay anywhere from $50-$100 a month per child in donations. This money goes toward field trips, parties, tech fees, and activities including overnights. The kids go on a field trip every month and an overnight every year- some as long as 1 week! As the child gets older the field trips get more expensive. There is financial assistance but the parents need to ask for it. I implore you to please ask for financial assistance if you need it. You need to know what you're getting into when you come to this school. It's amazing but the parents do a lot of work and spend a lot of time and money supporting the school. If you are a working parent like I am, there are many other ways to support the school after hours. Involved parents is the primary reason OVO is so successful. Without our awesome parent volunteers we would be just another school.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2016

OVO is a great school for families prepared to contribute time and money: money goes to pay for the many cool field trips students in every grade attend, including overnight field trips in every grade, time goes to volunteering in the classroom and helping to make the many school events possible. Kids flourish academically and socially. The school really feels like a family. I don't recommend the school to families not prepared to contribute, but for families ready to make their kids' school a priority, this is an amazing school!
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2016

OVO is a non traditional school that practices the philosophy of "learning by doing, together". We rely on parent involvement to support specialized programming like small group work , numerous field trips ( including over nighters in every grade) , and round robins (events where the whole school participates together in an event that parents invent). It takes a lot of pArent participation and families are asked to donate financially in order to support the programming. This school is not for everyone! if you can be involved and get a good parent group the school is a fantastic experience for kids who learn better through experience.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2015

This is an amazing school! This school focuses on the child as a whole, not only the academic. My daughter has blossomed in her individuality at Orangevale Open. The teachers listen to the parents and the parent involvement is amazing.