River Islands Technology Academy

1175 Marina Dr.

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

charter

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 July 17, 2023

Epic academy in River islands is a great school, my daughter likes it a lot says better than Cupertino school she went
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2022

We have two children enrolled in RItechA. The school is incredible. The administration and teaching staff is stellar. Accommodating, supportive and encouraging in a million different ways. My kids love going to school. Everyone from the front office, teachers, and music director is incredible to work with. I have nothing but pride for this school and grateful my children are enrolled here.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2022

I do not recommend Ritech for the following reasons:1) Ritech does not understand the work-life balance. Children are given too much homework. My children spend too much time working on homework and studying that they are unable to enjoy other activities after school or very important family time.2) Racism and discrimination amongst the students exists. Ritech does not want to address the problem. The solution is to enforce consequences. Consequences do not teach or change anything. It still continues to occur.3) Staff children are shown favoritism for awards and sports. If you work at the school, then your child and their friends will be guaranteed a spot on a sport team regardless of their ability to play the sport. Going to the award ceremonies are a joke. The pride awards are always going to staff children.4) The school teaches to the test. The children have some many tests each day and week. I don't believe my children are really learning. They are learning for the moment just to take the test and then it all goes out because the sole focus is the test. The have practice tests before the test. The have practice tests to the practice test. Then they have practice test to the practice test to the practice test to the test. Then, we get an email from the teacher that the whole class didn't do well on the final test and they don't understand what's going on with the class. Maybe ... the subject wasn't taught. The focus is the test, not learning the material. 5) Some teachers are great. Others are horrible and I question why they continue to be employed year after year. I have made complaints and changes do not occur. I have made complaints that changes have not occurred. And, changes continue to not occur.If I was in a position to homeschool my children, I would. Unfortunately, I'm not. I absolutely hate the favoritism and nepotism that occurs at this school. It is sickening and rampant. My advice is that if you want to send your child to this school, get a job there or volunteer everyday.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2022

Run from this school if you have special needs. They are severely understaffed, continue to shame my child, abuse suspension practices and have harassed me/our family to break us down rather than continue to fight for our child’s rights to an education. I’ve had to quit my job (adding stresses of financial hardship), they have completely dropped his exposure to classroom learning, and we’ve had to hire an educational advocate and now an attorney. In my opinion, the Executive Director and admin staff would prefer to push us out of their school(s). Unfortunately they oversee ALL schools within River Islands so it’s pointless to live here, paying twice as many taxes than the Bay Area, only to be shamed and pushed away. Don’t be fooled by their “seemingly” collaborative behavior. Additionally, the valley is severely lacking in other services or options for SN/ASD/ADHD. Biggest mistake we’ve made as a family moving to River Islands (crime, homelessness, unwelcoming community). But it sure does look great on the outside.
Submitted by teacher on January 14, 2022

I am a former teacher at the academies. As of the 2021/2022 school year, River Islands Technology Academies is a joke. Teacher turnover is insane - The vast majority of experienced and qualified teachers have already left because they were SEVERELY underpaid (10-12k less per year compared to neighboring districts) and management is borderline abusive. Your children are now being taught by teachers who aren’t even fully credentialed purely because they can’t get anyone credentialed with experience to fill those positions. STEAM Academy used to have an incredibly talented and innovative group of teachers, hence the high test score ratings - however most have jumped ship at this point. RiTechA teachers teach to the test, not to 21st century learning skills that kids need to be successful in life outside of multiple choice tests. Don’t let these ratings fool you - I’d be shocked if they still have their charter in five years.
Submitted by other on July 07, 2021

Our child attended RITECH K-2nd and had such an amazing experience each year, with nothing but praise to the entire staff. The level of education provided to our child was definitely 5 stars. We moved out of the area and quickly were reminded how much our child learned at RITECH. The new school our child was now attending lacked everything. We spent hours supplementing our child's education, in addition our child missed the level and quality of the education they once had at RITECH. We made decision to move back to River Islands and are happy to have our child enrolled once again at RITECH. The positive atmosphere, momentum, outstanding teachers and staff at RITECH should be applauded. We are so happy and proud to have our children once again part of such an amazing school."We are College Bound"....
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2021

Amazing school! Ms. Wilson in kindergarten is our favorite teacher!!
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2021

This is a great school! I love the teachers and the staff. The school is always notifying parents about updates and teachers are always responsive to email communication. The distance learning curriculum is way better than other schools I have seen. The kids are learning new things everyday.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2020

When the school was first opened and established it seemed like a great family friendly school. Looking back they were just saying whatever they could to get families to sign up their kids all the while knowing they meant NOTHING!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2019

Incredible! Love this school so much! We feel blessed to be a part of this school.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2019

New parent but have many friends with kids here as well
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2019

Academics are good, extracurricular offerings are good. Bad side is there is a lot of favoritism so if you’re not in the circle you won’t get informed on important information needed to have the same opportunities as those in the school have.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2019

We have loved RiTech since day one!!!teachers have been amazing and very communicative.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2019

Great experience! We love this school. Staff goes above and beyond for there students.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2018

This school have been very helpful with the success of our daughter
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2018

Started out great and then it's been downhill every year for the past 3 years. At this point I am stuck dealing with it because my son is about to go on to high school and my daughter doesn't want to move to the school her sibling is in since this is all she know. I will grin and bear it until I can be done with this awful place!
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2018

im not happy at all.. they need to review the quality of teaching of their teachers.. if they are just passing their students to make the school look good.. and they need to be serious on how to stop bullying
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2018

I'm very pleased my son is so happy to go to this school everyday and ready to be challenged in all subjects. It has to be a great amount of work to make this happen to him.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2018

Excellent. I would recommend other parents to send their children to this school and be a part of the community.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2018

This is far from a “best of the best” technology based academy. The definition of technology is not using low-level apps on iPads all day.