Great Valley Academy - Salida

5901 Sisk Road

School District

Salida Union Elementary
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

charter

School Map for Salida Union Elementary 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 other on September 23, 2022

They unfairly fired to great teachers but I’m sure it’s a good environment there Is this the one on Sisk?
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2019

In the beginning, it was great. But my child needed help academically, but was very well behaved. Because of this, over time I noticed that my child never really received the attention, or real help, they needed. The overall ideal of the school is wonderful, but it is ultimately poorly executed. The school claims to be all inclusive, but favoritism amongst staff regarding students (current and previous) is clear as well.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2016

As mentioned before GVA has an outstanding staff. We have a great principal who answers emails as soon as it can be and if there an issue , he addresses it efectibly.GVA has many wonderful teachers who really love what they do, that is true! However it also has a few teachers who do not meet the GVA standards, not caring about students success. You must be lucky in order to avoid the bad ones.A lot of reviewers say GVA is not for everyone, what does this mean? Kids with ADD ADHD or any other learning dissability should go somewhere else right? Nope! This is just an excuse! ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS have the responsability to provide the right resources for students with special needs. As far as I know GVA provides services to those students and with great academic success.Do I recomend this school ? Yes.
Submitted by student on March 04, 2016

I really would have given it 4 1/2 stars. My children are very smart here and they love school and stuff.It is a very good school i guess and its cool. because the princeibal is cool and thier mascot is a WOLF and his name is mr. HOWELL. hahahahahahahah
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2016

We have been with GVA Manteca since day 1. Five years. We are blessed with my kids growth, maturing and the love they have received from the staff and faculty. Is it perfect? No, I wouldn't expect it to be, they continue to grow, with a waiting list, that says something very positive on its own. They use each down to come up, and as a lesson to do better, and are constantly improving and leaving room for improvement. I am a proud parent of 3 GVA students and wouldn't have it any other way! Gooo Wolves!
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2014

Great Valley Academy is a charter school that has great ideas and goals for the future. Students and teachers are looped together for 2 years which is very beneficial! Many of the teachers will work with you and your child to boost their weakness', provided that the parent communicates the child's needs. The principal and vice principal are accessible and open to any and all suggestions. There is a uniform policy which unites the staff and students and helps GVA to feel like a family.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2014

This school is great! GVA Manteca is NOT for everyone however, I don't know any school that is. I cannot be more happy with this school. My children are Excelling and Love school. (we are in the 3rd yr) I have never felt that I couldn't talk to my child's teacher or the administration if there was a problem. (they have always been available) I have not had any bullying issues at all. My children are challenged and don't get bored. It's exciting to see all the new things they add every year and the school encourages lots of parent involvement to make things better. (i.e. meetings, surveys, etc..) I believe the school tries to do the right thing with regards to children with "special needs" however, this school does not have all the resources that the local public school district has available. (or $$) In this instance, the local school district may be a better fit. I have friends with "special needs" children that are doing great at GVA and others that found it more beneficial to put them back in MUSD so they could get more services and it was a better fit. Research is the key. GVA is, by far, the BEST option for us and is a huge blessing for our family!
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2014

I am disappointed with GVA for so many reasons. Many days my child would come home crying because of bullying and the faculty did nothing. Other days they would come home upset that the teacher yelled at them or was rude to them. This concerns me as a parent. Also There seems to be a lack of communication between the teachers and staff so unfortunately the child is stuck in the middle. The quality of education is suspect there as well. I felt my children were better challenged at their prior school. The school stresses "character" above everything else, but seems clueless how to work with problematic kids with such things as ADD/ADHD/ or any behavioral issues. They have the"connecting room" which is supposed to be a reflecting room for these kids however it turns out only to be a detention area where they sit in there for hours. This ostracizes the children and doesn't help solve any issues. Though they mean well in their mission statement "Because it's the right thing to do", they seem incompetent at implementing it. If your child is an over achiever or has any focus or behavioral issues this is not the school for them.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2014

Not to be mean but this school is horrible and it has some of the worst teachers of all time and my son always gets in trouble for being blamed for something else another kid did so were are going to leave this school in a couple weeks,also the kids are jerks to people and they're always doing mind tricks and the teachers also don't grade equally and there unfair and always picking favorites,.....BEWARE OF THIS SCHOOL!!....
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

Great Valley Academy is one of the best things offered to Manteca. Fantastic teachers and excellent Principal. We love attending GVA. Music, spanish , PE to all grades just to name a few.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2013

I have been very pleased with the quality and commitment this school has shown to quality education. The results are proven out in my child outperforming every expectation I have, both in the classroom and interacting with peers. The school has been the best decision for my child I could have made and I am grateful I was given the opportunity to bring her to GVA!
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2013

Each year this school gets better and better. So blessed to have such great teachers for my kids!
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2013

I love this school. It feels like a big family gathering everyday I pick up my child. I love how I do not have to worry about bullying because it is not tolerated at this school. I love how the younger children have older reading buddies who seem to get attached and look out for the younger ones. I love how the teacher will notify the principal when a child seems out of sorts and the principal will talk to him or sometimes they will just play a board game with no talking. I love how involved the families are with the school with volunteering from upcoming events or putting in a garden for the children. I love Friday assemblies where the principal gets the kids going with GVA spirit chants, praises and just plain silliness. I love how the children wear uniforms so that the teacher can focus on their faces and the children can focus on her. I love how the teachers can see the good in EVERY child. I love walking my child to class in the morning and hearing the upbeat music the principal has blaring and the kids skipping to class. I love how the principal will pass by you, stop and ask you if everything is ok because he is that in tune with the families.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2013

Great Valley Academy is a charter school. There is one other campus in Modesto, CA. The teachers are caring, loving, and go above and beyond their everyday duties. Mr. Howell the principal is so involved with all the kids. He always takes time for parents and kids before anything. We are a new school here in Manteca, and it's exciting to watch the growth of the school. I love that you can drop your child off at school and there's someone to open the door, greet your child, and guide them to where they need to go. The teachers actually have lunch with their students. Every Friday there's an assembly where they praise the good deeds of kids and get everyone jazzed up for upcoming events. The campus is in a great area with lots of room to grow. There are great learning programs as well, and if your child needs that extra help they will be sure to work at it extra hard. I love this school and am grateful that my kids are loved, safe, and able to learn in a positive environment.