Unidos Middle

1850 Salvador Avenue

School District

Napa Valley Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for Napa Valley Unified 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 March 18, 2019

So there should me an overarching message by this point, given my admittedly lengthy admissions to how my experience really was in the aforementioned categories. Let me but unequivocally clear: I gain nothing from writing this. The perhaps overtly cynical tone with which I write this reflects the reality of the outcome of me having attended this incredibly ideologically-driven school. I am NOT a cynical person, I am a very positive person who, like almost all people, bad things happened to. I write this because I want to share my experience, for parents to make an informed decision with regards to sending their kid here (or not at all, as the case may be,) and most of all I want to speak truth to power, in the name of every person I have come across who went to this school, and had eerily similar experiences. Let me address the fact that I fully address at least an attempt at a rebuke from Napa's hell bent educational establishment, who would love nothing more than to have all dissenting opinions of their schools disappear. There have indeed been some positive comments left on this website with regards to this school. But upon further inspection, observe that a majority of them are coming from parents, who have only set foot on the campus during the open houses, orientations, and promotions. These are, of course, times when the school is putting its best proverbial foot forwards. I hate to break it to these folks: but the smiles, professional behavior, and meaningful dialogue the school shows on these special occasions, are nothing more than a façade. If the parents actually knew what was happening behind the scenes, or even during a majority of the school days, there would be riots in the streets of Napa. Granted, then people at fault here are not the teachers mainly, but in fact, the administrators who put on the show, and the parents who pay for it, ultimately are to blame. Now again, I graduated in 2011, back when founder Linda Inlay was still principal. But I'm sure skeptics will ask: "What if in changed in these either year?" The answer: a resounding no! Remember the students’ protests that happened all over Napa in the wake of Parkland? Guess which school was the only one in Napa to threaten disciplinary action against those who dared stand up? I rest my case. They walked that back only after almost the entire community scolded the school.
Submitted by student on November 04, 2018

I am in my third year at River. If I could go back in time and choose a different school to go to, I would immediately. River has some of the worst students and almost all of the friendships I have had were toxic, and the school has had no way to deal with that, other than DIGA, which is a problem-solving program for 8-year-olds. I have ADHD and social anxiety, and my teachers have been little to no help. They rarely actually check to make sure their students are doing well, and when they do, it is after grades are inserted into the grade book, and it is obvious why that is a problem. I am in Math 1 this year and the person that teaches this class is not okay. They have emotional stability problems and takes their anger out on the students. It is impossible to talk to him, and sometimes downright scary. They only teach the part of the curriculum that they think is valuable. This sounds good until you realize that we are only learning about a quarter of what we need to learn this year to excel in Math 2 next year. The new principal, Hartneck, is WAY better than our former one, Celeste Akiu. I just don't know what he wants to do at our school to make it better, what his philosophy is for our school. From what I have heard so far, he doesn't have one and is using the Hoa'la philosophy. He had about 45~ minutes with all of the 8th graders and all he told us was that River students do well in high school, and asked us what we were worried about for high school. He said nothing about what he was going to do to make out school better. In conclusion, the teachers lack skills with mentally ill students, the small community is toxic and has been for the past few years, The 8th-grade math teacher should not be in the school right now, and should be getting help with his life and mental health, and the new principal has no views that he is sharing with us. One good thing I will say is though, River does teach good life skills and promotes self-reliance.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2018

Our son is starting his 3rd year at River. We are pleased with the support from all of his teachers and the faculty. The former principal Celeste Akiu as well as Resource Teacher Christine Daly did an amazing job. All of the teachers have been readily available every time i contracted them and respond to emails quickly. We love the sense of community brought on by the smaller school size.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2017

The current Principal is terrible! She has poor communication skills & only cares about herself.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2015

River School is a terrific middle school! We are so happy to have our son as a student here. Principal Celeste Akiu is caring of all students, teachers and parents and steps up to her leadership role. Vice Principal David Sauceda is a great role model in supporting school programs and staying involved with the students as he walks the halls. The teachers are bright and committed to the student's success, and they are receptive to any questions, comments, emails, or issues I have had relating to my son's education. I am thrilled to be a part of this progressive and high-quality school. I have been very involved in River School for two years now and currently serve as Chief Parent Advisor this year. If you are the type of parent who is engaged and committed to helping the school, and your child likes getting involved in activities, cooperative group projects, making friends, communicating with adults, and doing creative and challenging assignments then this is the place for you to excel. I highly recommend River School for an outstanding education.
Submitted by other on July 26, 2013

please don't bring your kids here! my teachers didn't exactly teach they just gave out paper and our books! now I have to go to tutoring !there curriculum as gone way down through the past years and im not supprised! plus a reen slip for not pushing in your chair? that's worth a warning ! i mean come on! one time my friend got a green slip by sneezing! she tried to tell her she was sneezing no she told her to have a conference! plus I told my teacher that too! well guess what? if you interfear (aka if you are pretty much witness!) your supposed to stay out of it or green slip! dress code ridiculous. no gloves?! in winter whent was 28 degrees out my hands were freezing! but the office just said "im sorry but that's the dress code!" I was just ready to leave this school ! so I did ! next year I'm now going to Silverado and proud! the only reason why I stayed this year was because of my friends! pluis river is bankrupt so we have to walk to our fieldtrips and we never have gone anywhere educational for us except conolly ranch and walked there. thank you.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2013

My daughter is in her 2nd year at River. I have seriously considered relocating her however I don't think there are any decent middle schools in Napa. I am disappointed with the teachers at River and find that most of them slack off and use the excuse of "teaching the students responsibility". Teaching my child responsibility shouldn't make the teacher exempt from their job including updating grade books in a timely manner and recording graded assignents. We have spent so much time babysitting teachers that are far from responsible. Unfortunately when we report a concern to the Principal little to nothing is done about it. Just lip service. Very disappointing! At least they offer great electives which is the only reason I keep my child at the school.
Submitted by other on December 15, 2012

So yes, It doesn`t really count, since I`ve only been here about one year, but in my perspective, this school is extremely diverse! Back then at my old Elementary school, I was always the "weird" kid. But at river, there were people from different schools exactly like me. I am no longer categorized as the weird kid. I disagree with the parent who posted below me. Teachers rarely yell, or are ever cruel to any of the kids or at all. Or at least the ones that Ive had. The school is very small. 367 Students, and roughly 20 or so teachers. There are 16 classrooms, and the only class we dont have on campus is P.e. We recently decided to get a new gym, and the majority of the time, River Uses it. We still use locker rooms with Harvest, but rarely see them . Apparently, we`re supposed to have some rivalry, but I havent had any problems with any of them, except for dirty looks, I guess. River has some leadership programs, and some clubs, including KRC (keep river clean ) And also, SAP ( student advisory panel ). There is a garden, and we also have a courtyard. There is open enrollment in January, And I have signed up to go to elementaries and present about river. I really recommend it!
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2012

This rating is lower than i would normally post to make up for the 11 year olds that posted. most of the teachers are good; the curiculum is okay; they've gone to a project based learning where kids work in groups and grade each other this year, bad idea. no teaching going on in group learning. Don't embrace positive discipline techniques. Constantly handing out "green slips" for bad behavior "to learn". draconian. this is why i rated the principle low; it's her philosophy; and she won't conform to new standards of positive discipline. Bad special education coordinator; rushes kids, snaps at them, etc. causes more harm than does good. Vice principle great; great demeanor with kids and parents. Principle not connected. math is behind the rest of the middle schools. nice small school. lots of different kinds of kids all lumped together, good thing these days. lots of diversity. safer school than the rest, though it has its problems too. small campus area so they keep a better watch on the kids. relatively little bullying thanks to vice principle. .