Yuba River Charter School

10085 Adam Avenue

School District

Nevada County Office Of Education
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

charter

School Map for Nevada County Office Of Education 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 December 27, 2021

The first grade teacher told a crowd at a school event that there is a galaxy beneath the earth.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2021

If you want an unsafe school that shames your child, look no farther. There is also a good chance you will be lied to and the school will fail to follow and in-force it’s own Health and Safety Policies. If you want a loving, honest and supportive school that sees your individual child, run as fast as you can away from YRCS.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2017

YRCS is a wonderful school and we are so happy to be part of it. Public Waldorf education is a beautiful thing!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2017

We feel fortunate to be part of this school community. The play based kindergarten really nurtures the imagination while the slow but creative introduction to academics in first grade keeps the kids engaged. They do not receive endless, meaningless worksheets, rather they create their own beautiful, artistic workbooks. They still teach cursive writing. Computers only come into regular use in 6th grade. Kids get lots of great field trips and hands-on learning. Music, art and drama are for everyone. Finally, next year the school is moving to a brand new building on 13 acres in Grass Valley, which will allow for an expanded farm and garden curriculum and more outside time for all the students. We love it!
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2016

Very disappointing experience for us here at YRCS and we moved on after one year. There are some good teachers and some bad teachers. The problem is, if you get a bad teacher- you have that teacher every year as they move forward with the child and teach them the whole time in every grade and subject. I love so many of the people there, it was hard to leave, but ultimately, my child was not satisfied and that is the bottom line. I cannot recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2015

Yuba River Charter School is a sanctuary for children and families. Every year my daughter attends I realize how lucky our community is to have this as an integral option for K-8 elementary. While we enjoy the beauty and wholeness of a Waldorf education, we also live in the real world, and our diverse parent body reflects that. The kids who stay through 8th grade are more than prepared, especially because they have lived into their studies through movement, arts, music, practical arts, and other enriching activities. The academics are fed by the dynamic environment, and vice verse. But most of all, the compassion and expertise of the faculty and staff are stellar. An important consideration is that not every family is right for this school. If you want quick academics, if you don't value a slow-paced home life, if you think video games are helpful, or that movies or youtube every week are harmless, your child my not have the success they could have, and they would be taking the space of someone who would move across the country for a spot and takes a job cleaning houses so they can afford to donate their time to the community. Its a healthy idea that you are ready to volunteer every week, or at least every month minimally in order for this rich curriculum to be possible, and in order for you to be able to continually learn and grow alongside your child. It is life-changing, and totally worth it, well wishes on your journey, and I hope to see you here, ready to work and reap the benefits alongside your child! :)
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2015

Our son is thriving at yrcs. I love that this curriculum nurtures hands, heard and head....building a well rounded person. It takes a bit of a leap of faith to know that it's ok that the children learn at a slower pace than in traditional education, but the preservation of childhood is beautiful. I appreciate being in a school community that values limited media for the younger years. It makes it so much easier to maintain this value when it is reinforced at school. One thing to note is that, yes the school does ask for a great deal of parent involvement. Ideally parents and families attend this school because they value being a part of a tight knit school community. If considering yrcs, make sure you are aware of the time commitment that is requested from parents. It seems like the negative comments from other parents reflect a limited understanding of what is requested by families in terms of volunteerism. Some people also mentioned a dogma, yes there is a dogma.......it's called waldorf education, and that is clearly stated in the name of the school. I'm surprised that people go to the effort of enrolling their kids at yrcs without understanding what sets yrcs apart from other schools. This is an excellent school if you value children remaining children as long as they can, imaginative play, a nurturing heart approach and instilling a love of learning.P
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2015

I have been thoroughly impressed with the schools curriculum and teachers. When walking down the halls in the morning I smell bread baking in the Kindergarten class; I hear the sounds of children playing music on their recorder, reciting poetry or singing beautiful songs; I see a wide array of art displayed in front of the classrooms.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2014

It would serve children better if we could prioritize people over goods and creativity over consumption. YRCS lost it's way and have lost several handfuls of very involved and engaged families due to their lack of appropriate response. The bullying, including humiliation from teachers towards students in the classroom thrives when it is supported by staff, teachers and administration.
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2014

I concur with the review that said this school is very dogmatic. Way too inflexible/rigid for us. The home school farm program expertly strangled all the joy from what could have been a beautiful experience. The lower grade class was completely out of control with no discipline. Parents are supposed to help out 25 hours a year but most of the work is done by only a small handful of individuals. A school is only as great as their teachers. Unfortunately, the farm program teacher was inaccessible, joyless and stifled my child's creative impulses. And disappointingly, every one the festivals were fundraisers. We are moving on.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2014

Our son is quiet and thoughtful. YRCS really nourishes this side of him, and he has come alive in new ways because of his teachers and the school's learning philosophy. It was challenging at first to stop computer/phone/tv time, but if you are open to following the rules/philosophy, it's amazing.
Submitted by other on March 20, 2014

This school is inflexible and dogmatic in its approach. Caleb, the director is a poor communicator and the administration in general is quite unprofessional. I've also heard rumors about the bullying that occurs at this school. Boredom is a common problem with the children in the required, second year of kindergarten and until the children begin engaging in language arts. Perhaps this boredom explains the bullying.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2013

I am a parent of a kindergartener at Yuba River Charter School. I am also a public school teacher of 15 years. I have found Yuba River to be an excellent school, beyond my hopes. My child had two teachers this year and received individual care and nurturance. Teacher Suzanne has an extremely rich curriculum that is paced perfectly and meets the child with skill development. I have found many teachers at the school to be knowledgeable in so many aspects of human development and nature. The NCSOS works hand and hand with the children who have special needs and Patti is exceptional in her comprehensive assessment of children. I am so grateful to the people of YRCS.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2011

Great school for bullies! Teachers support bullies fully and let them pick on the quiet kids. Very strange....Could be a great school otherwise.