Salvador Elementary School

1850 Salvador Avenue

Napa, CA 94558

15 Reviews

School District

Napa Valley Unified
Grade

2-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

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Reviews

Submitted by other on December 13, 2017

I went her from 1st grade to 5th grade. Let me tell you it was a great time. This school taught me be myself ad express myself. I have noticed that a lot of students here experience a large growth in confidence. All the teachers here 100% involved with their students work and truly care for them. The principal, Pam Perkins, always tries her best to do what she can to help especially since she is also the principal of a nearby school named El Centro. If you are looking for a compassionate school with great teachers and academics, Salvador is for you!
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2016

My daughter has been attending since kindergarten. The level of teacher engagement blows me away. Pam Perkins is an excellent leader that has a clear direction. This school is a magnet school which means that the vehicle they use for teaching is slightly different (ie Artful Learning Curriculum), but they are accountable to the public school system's learning goals and expected outcomes just like any other. Due to the high parent involvement in activities and fundraising, I feel she receives a better, more well-rounded education than most public schools would have provided because of all the amazing extra-curricular opportunities available.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2016

My daughter attended Salvador Elementary School and is now a 4.0 high school student. The education she obtain at Salvador Elementary built the foundation for her to succeed in middle school and high school. The dedication of the principal, teachers and unique curriculum increase self-esteem and motivation for success. Today my son also attended Salvador and I continue to see the same foundation which will continue in his education.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2016

Prior to enrolling at Salvador I reviewed all of the local schools' test scores (which in this district do not necessarily reflect an adequate picture of any school, in my opinion) and went on several school tours. The school tour was lead by the principal, Pam Perkins. At the end of the tour I was sold and we have remained here ever since. Her impression on me was so great that we actually moved our oldest daughter from the school that she had been attending (K-3, the school was unfortunately experiencing a decline in education services and leadership) and enrolled her in Salvador along with our daughter who was entering kindergarten. At Salvador we have experienced a strong, capable and passionate leader in principal, Pam Perkins, as well as excellent, engaging and passionate teachers in every grade. When Salvador became an arts integration magnate school all of the teachers had to be willing to engage in an arts integration style of teaching so some teachers chose to leave. I feel that this is important to emphasize because the teachers that stayed and have come to the school since then are choosing, not just education, but to make a commitment to artful learning. They all specifically want to be at Salvador. This is apparent in the way that they teach and interact with the children, not just the children their own classrooms, but throughout the entire school. I think that there is a concern that arts integration somehow means 'less than' a 'traditional' education however my experience has been that what it truly means is a return to a more rounded and complete education. Core subjects, such as math, English and Social Studies are not ignored or given less time because of an artful learning style but enhanced. It creates a learning environment where children are taught to see a 'larger picture'. Artful learning is a more positive and also more permanent way of integrating knowledge into our children's minds. Salvador builds this strong foundation for learning new material and also meaningful and permanent integration of material learned. My mother has her Master's Degree in Speech and Language pathology and worked in a public school system her entire career. I have a Master's Degree in Social Welfare and attended one of the top 5 public school districts in the nation, K-12. Given the choice again, I would enroll my children in Salvador today.
Submitted by other on September 15, 2016

We transferred our child from a different school into Salvador and have never looked back. The other school viewed our child's special needs as a burden and treated our child as a bad kid. The teachers at Salvador Elementary embrace our child and truly care for him and his well being. Don't let any negative reviews about this school make you think it's only about art, it certainly is not only about Art. The arts are the medium I which the education is projected, kids become excited to get involved and learn. I couldn't imagine my child at any other school. Salvador Elematary is a model school for all others to follow.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2016

My daughter comes home with a daily packet of her work, and she loves the Boys & Girls Club on-site after school program. She really likes her teacher, and I have found her teacher to be accessible and have a very good perspective. My daughter is enrolled in Science & Spanish after-school programs, so I'm happy with the breadth of topics (for an art school!). She was in a private nursery school, and the transition was smooth.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2016

I am so impressed with the quality of instruction that my daughter is receiving in her kindergarten class. She comes home every day excited about what she has learned - even eager to complete her homework worksheets for extra credit. I've seen a huge jump in her literacy skills in just a few weeks, and the arts integration program keeps her engaged with the material and longing to learn more.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2016

I have never seen our son so excited to learn. I have been continually impressed by his Kinder teacher and the amount he has already excelled, in just a few weeks. We can't wait to for our future with Salvador Magnet!
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2016

Had to pay for tutor to catch kid up with writing in middle school. I noticed nothing ever get sent home. Seems to be more about art less about actual school. It's too bad. Two years later I'm footin the bill.
Submitted by other on March 01, 2016

The school prefers to give unclear and incorrect answers to parent questions. They have the kids work on "art projects" that never come home and that they auction off for school funds. There are legal injustices with this. I'm all for collaborative fundraising but hours of instructional time to produce product for fundraising without parental consent is bad. Additionally their "academic specialist" is completely inept and ridiculous.
Submitted by other on February 15, 2016

Core standards are not being met in many areas of the curriculum due to non compliant lesson planning. Parent concerns over non compliance with state and district standards are not welcomed or acted upon to bring curriculum into compliance. These administrative problems result in nonimprivement of teat scores
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2016

This school is not working towards improving scores. The history curriculum is non existent in the 4 Th and 5 Th grades and the school depends on programs to teach, not its teachers. Additionally the administration circumvents any direct questions and these kids are way behind many of their peers in other schools. It is unfortunate because art can really support educational instruction. This school sadly does not use it in this way.
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2016

In the later grades they do not teach the state mandated curriculum for language arts or history. My daughters are at Salvador, one is in 5 th grade and does not know how to properly write an essay or even a paragraph for that matter. Had never been taught about John Sutter, California missions, how the states were formed, bear flag revolt, and the list goes on. They let the teachers pick and choose what to teach them, and if they have not taught the students what is required by the state there is no repercution. We have met with the principal, and staff on school grounds and with mediation through the NVUSD and we're lied to directly to our face. We are now working very hard to catch our children up so that they are not behind in middle school like some of their older friends who also went to Salvador. Who this year are failing language arts and history only because they are not prepared for the middle school curriculum. We are now in the process of transferring our children from Salvador to a school that takes education and the state mandated common core topics seriously. If you do not want your children to miss out on education do not send them here. If you have the chance to own enroll them somewhere else you should densely take it.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2014

Salvador is an amazing school. The curriculum is progressive and thought provoking. It covers every basic element of education, Math, Science, History ... but teaches it in a way that engages the students to use their minds on every level. The teachers are dedicated, skilled and genuinely love what they do. We transferred our two children out of private school to attend Salvador and it has been the best thing we have ever done for their education. They are excited to go to school and inspired to learn more everyday. What more could you ask for? They also have amazing after-school enrichment classes, such as dance, music, art and foreign language.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2014

I love my sons teacher. He will not be going to Salvador next year!!! The princable & other staff are fake & not about the kids and parents just about themselves!! They are all about art and music and not about sport or being active. So if your child likes to be active do not send them here!!!!