Great Valley Academy

3200 Tully Road

School District

Stanislaus County Office Of Education
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

charter

School Map for Stanislaus 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 April 01, 2024

Do not believe what you hear at the parent information night. Ask families, read reviews.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2022

First of all everyone's opinions come from different perspectives a phone call shouldn't persuade you from a place of learning, the education methods the difference in your child's academics should! With that being said my child attended GVA at the first grade level we had no idea they had been struggling with focusing on work but thanks to GVA and their very attentive teachers and staff members we were able to identify my child's learning disability, GVA has a great program for children with learning disabilities, my child has since graduated GVA and is in high school with all honors classes I couldnt be more proud! I couldn't have chosen a better school, Thank You GVA for all you've done! AND Mrs Bruce is one of the best!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2022

They truly care about the students who being. Although some parents would disagree with the many rules in place for Covid, It's within reason and the school isn't to blame. The pros outway the cons here, they care about each child/student attending here. They care about their interactions and social experiences. I am very happy with the my child's experience and he's much happier here. Thriving compared to where he wa before. No school is perfect but I definitely believe GVA makes a difference.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2021

This school gives ample opportunities for kids to explore through different modes of learning. There is a definite emphasis on providing safe environments for kids to thrive and take risks in their education. They are able to explore more because they feel safe and are loved. It is a great school to develop the whole child rather than just academics.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2016

I was under the impression this school cared about the emotional well being of the kids but they have proved the complete opposite! They don't practice what they preach. Principal never returns emails, acts as if he is too busy to talk to you. Don't be fooled by all the fake smiles. There is some teachers that are amazing but very few and far in between. It's just like any other school now a days only difference is they wear uniforms. What can you do, What a disappointment!!
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2014

My kids are happy here, we have had one teacher that I wasn't thrilled with but the rest have been excellent and handle individual needs well. My children have been at GVA since Kindergarten. For what it's worth, their STAR test scores are very high. There are good and bad elements at every school but I'm confident my kids are learning and growing and happy here.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2013

GVA creates gifted learners in a safe, loved and learning environment. Our child is performing above grade levels in all her subjects and loves most of her teachers. They are caring and create a stimulating learning environment. Foreign language, sign language, physical education, and drama are included in this rounded education. She began in second grade and came from a private school. She improved steadily throughout her years and is in her last year at GVA. Her H.S. career will begin with great expectation because her love of learning flourished while attending GVA. Curriculum problems existed at GVA, but this has been rectified and academic standards are high. The joy of learning is a major strength at GVA and I believe that their efforts to promote teamwork, camaraderie and group effort as well as a push for individual achievement is fundamental. With this in mind, I believe our child is headed to High School with a solid foundation and will excel in her classes. We laid a strong foundation in the early years, but GVA has proven their success by helping create a strong, gifted learner who excels and goes above and beyond in all her subjects. Thank you GVA for doing your part.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2013

Our family absolutely loves GVA. After a horrible Kindergarten and beginning of first grade experience at a public school (where my child felt like part of an army, not a unique individual) I was so thrilled to transfer my child to GVA when space became available. I noticed an immediate change in her attitude and enthusiasm about going to school (no more crying!!), and we owe it all to the philosophy of "safe loved and learning" that GVA has. The teachers and staff are kind and caring, and the Spanish, music, PE and GVA Smart programs are so enriching. As a family, we also appreciate the fact that there are not packets full of "busy work" (aka homework) sent home every week, so that we may enjoy family time and other activities instead. We LOVE GVA!!!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

We have been very satisfied with this school. Our child is in 1st grade and we have had only positive experiences with her teachers, curriculum, sense of community and great kids' care staff.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2013

Wow, bad experiences here! I know for a fact that no one school can make every single parent happy, so if it doesn't fit go somewhere else. My perspective is that I have been very pleased overall. I have one child who was in high school when GVA started, so I also have that experience to compare with. My two younger kids have gone to GVA from the start. It has not been perfect - both of them have had teachers that I didn't think were the best fit, but that happened outside of GVA as well. My middle child has a math disability and the traditional school she previously attended just told me I would have to work with her at home to bring her up to grade level...I could get no extra help because she was not far enough behind. At GVA we did not request extra help because they started her where she was and then moved forward from there, as opposed to sitting in a class that had moved on without her - leaving her feeling "stupid". After 5 years, she is now at grade level and we are happy with that. She is far above grade level in all other subjects. Once she realized that not being great at math did not define her worth and intelligence, it was a whole new world for her.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

I am very pleased with my daughter's progress at this school. There are a lot of negative reviews on this site, but I feel there are more happy parents than unhappy. The school is very different from the traditional school system. My child is receiving an education in subjects the public schools have had to drop due to budget cuts. These include, foreign language, sign language, physical education and music. She is flourishing in all aspects, doing work above her grade level, and enjoys going to school. The school has had several administration changes this year. Each one had me question the school's direction, but the bottom line is my daughter is doing well so they are doing something right. I have no day to day interaction with the administration, but I do with her teacher and the Kids Care staff. Both are amazing in every way. My confidence in the school lies with them and the caring, nurturing environment they provide to my daughter. Both have excellent communication with me. I know within minutes, via email or phone call of any incident (big or small) that should be brought to our attention. We love the school and understand that it might not be right for everyone.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2013

horrible couple of years for GVA DO NOT ENROLL YOUR KIDS HERE please ....last year for my son in this school very disappointing
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2013

The principal leaving was the worst possible thing that could happen to GVA. The life and soul of GVA are gone now. The teachers are demoralized, and now are scared to ruffle any feathers. What a mess they have created, vice principal clueless. This school is just going to be another mediocre school down the street- my kids are out next year.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2013

I really have always loved this school fought hard to get my kids in here celebrated when they did our first year was great BUT this year no:( been through two principals gossip what's really going on here? My oldest son has struggled since the beginning nothing new this year and I asked for him to be tested however no because they don't see a learning disability I do! He is very different from other kids and I'm tired of watching him struggle and kinda be punished when he tries his best. He was in IVL which didn't carry over this year:( he's had no extra help however has had packs of homework because he doesn't get it done in class and his teacher doesn't know how to help him. Since last teacher conference I've heard he was at a third grade reading level a second grade level now fourth grade level. I'm so confused. There is a bad communication here and I've been really discouraged here:( However my other son couldn't love his teacher more. Always is approachable very happy there. The school in general love the community family safe loved and learning idea but this year it has fallen short.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2013

I'm still trying to convince myself that I made a good decision to send my children to GVA.
Submitted by other on March 14, 2013

What a huge relief to hear the principal resigned. I have been worried for years about the outcome of the administration's decisions/actions regarding the education of GVA's school children. I just hope the school begins to hire administrators and board members with educational experience. As it stands now, I don't believe there is an educational expert among the administration or board, with the exception of one, and he is not in a decision making position. Up until now the only person making decisions for every aspect of GVA has been the, now ex-principal.
Submitted by other on March 03, 2013

Unprofessional, poor leadership, and unable to address the needs of students adequately. If you have a special education child, and if your child is getting vision therapy at GVA to address their needs, you may want to read what the American Association of Pediatrics says about vision therapy. Then ask GVA what are they really doing to help the special needs students.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2013

Our daughter has gone to GVA since it started the Principal was always hard to deal with, not apoachable, or would not listen to your concerns, she was in Special Ed, but each year would just get a song and dance about why she was still so far behind, just recently we were looking into placing her in another school, just checking out our options, and the Principal and office staff took it upon themselves to give us 1 days notice and kicked her out of school, in which she was schoolless, and 2 grade levels behind. The other Principal that was there for a while was good she would listen and address your concerns. Posting this as do not want anyone else's child to experience the heart break of been told you cannot be at this school anymore, as this was devasting to the child as didn't understand why. Now we know why there was such a high turn of staff at GVA. Safe loved caring enviroment, not!!! this school needs to have more over site, or be closed, they place to much importance on money, and if you have the money, rather than whats best for the kids. Stanislaus County OO Ed needs to over see more of what they do, as they sponser the charter. Would not recommend GVA to anyone, beware
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2012

We knew going into GVA that as a new school and charter it would take a long time for it to develop. It is going in the right direction, there is still room for improvement as with all organizations. Knowing all this I have implemented much enrichment and additional learning for my children to enhance and build on what GVA does. As for the change in leadership at the Modesto campus last week, it really is not fair that there was a firing. Mr. Cole the present principal is very capable and experienced and will do an excellent job of leading GVA forward. Oh, and there is plenty of time for children to have lunch and its longer than 15 minutes! That comment was a bit silly!
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2012

My daughter has been there since kindergarten. I decided to give GVA a chance for the simple fact of being a charter school. They seemed to be heading in the right direction but they have implemented many changes during the past 2 years. Their employee turnover rate is high; teachers are quitting because of pay and inconsistent curriculums. GVA is trying to do many things at once and is failing at them all. For example they started a home school program this year, last year they opened the Manteca campus, they also hired and fired a new principal for the Modesto campus all in one year. Overall bad decisions and management have been the highlight of this year. I am moving my daughter to a private school where she will get experienced teachers. One more thing the whole no cafeteria situation is ridiculous, teachers only allow the kids to eat lunch for 15 minutes, not reasonable. This school needs to focus on the problems they got at hand rather than embarking on new ventures.