Novato Charter School

940 C Street

School District

Novato Unified
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

charter

School Map for Novato 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 parent on May 21, 2023

Having my three elementary age kids attend charter has been one of life’s greatest blessings. They are being educated as a whole child not just a reading and math standardized test. Drink all the no-screen/ family rhythm/ restorative discipline cool aid and you will thank me. It is a tiny school with a magical community where we work as a village to raise creative resilient thinkers. They have all had phenomenal teachers who care so deeply about my individual children. More turn over than I would like is all. As a public school there is a lot of different types of kids in the classroom and some can be distracting but I they are also learning how to work with all types of people. Learn about Waldorf and see if it is a fit for your family. I have loved everything about the Waldorf approach except the delay in dyslexia screening that comes with delayed reading. But they are doing more explicit instruction and screening now in first grade. NCS is a magical place to have my little seeds growing for 10 years and their poise, creativity, and fortitude are shining through.
Submitted by student on March 02, 2023

I am currently attending the upper grades at Novato Charter School, and I am so happy that my parents chose to enroll me here. While attending this school I feel safe, have made life long friends and on top of that all I’ve received a great education. Something I have really enjoyed about this school is we get to learn at our own pace and have more one on one learning and attention because the classes are smaller. I have really enjoyed my time at this school and will definitely miss it once I leave for high school.
Submitted by parent on November 22, 2021

My kids are at Novato Charter school and they enjoyed the lower grades creative activities and developed their interest in reading, writing and math. The school has different education philosophy which was clearly explained to all the parents at the open house. Not all the kids fit in Waldorf education system. I personally not a big fan at the beginning, but now I really appreciate no screen time till third grade and no home work till 3rd grade, which makes them really creative in all aspects. Without commercials and Ipad, they focus on art and crafts, reading, outdoor activities, and exploring nature, which leads them to independent study, and take time to think and ask questions. Teachers teach how to solve math problems in a few ways, so they learn not just one method to work out problems. Academic is important, but not the most important thing in their life. My kids are doing well in the CA test. They are good leaders in class, and in other afterschool activities. And also they learned to take responsibilities not only to their school, but also to the family and to the community. I will highly recommend this school to my friends, who accept the Waldorf education philosophy.
Submitted by parent on February 21, 2020

We have more than one child at this school. There are 28 children per teacher, and they are very unorganized when it comes to the curriculum. Starting in the 5th grade my children come home with homework that they don't understand at all. My son comes home with near college level homework assignments at times and he has no idea how to do it so we have to spend hours calling other parents, emailing teachers, and helping him with it. They can't teach math at all! We spend hours every week doing the teachers job and this is in addition to spending money on tutors twice a week! We are not the only family with these problems. Most families have the same complaints. Novato Charter has a homework help club which is after school but it's useless. There is one person and several students and they have to wait for help. So by the time they get help the hour is almost done. We are very disappointed and feel trapped because switching schools would be a problem in terms of switching from charter to public. They rely upon donations from families but because they are doing such a poor job and we have to pay tutors and do a lot of work ourselves their funding has dropped significantly. If they spend less time focusing on plays and singing and more time on the actual curriculum they would probably have better results. But they don't. They need better leadership and better quality teachers.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2013

I couldn't be happier or more grateful to have my child at this school! The teachers are so caring and the students are so fulfilled and nurtured. The art and music this school incorporates are some of the things so many other public schools are missing. I love getting to feel like a real part of my child's education and the wonderful staff and other parents make me look forward to each day we get to grow and learn together with our children.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2013

I would agree with the review posted on November of 2011. The school has had some turnover from senior staff and budget seems to be an issue. This school is going in the wrong direction.The teachers are dated in their views about how a child should act. The children in this school do not want to follow up their high school experience at another Waldorf system. Overall very dissapointed with their handling of my childs education and personal growth.
Submitted by other on November 17, 2011

This school, coming from a student, is a good school, teaches good material, but is stuck in the 60's. Any use of cell phones, gaming devices or any other technological thing is forbidden and, if found, confiscated. In the kindergarten kids get in trouble for, and I quote, "TV Talk". Yes, thats right, even the mere MENTION of the word "Spider-man" is punishable. Other than this and the issues with budget (the school seems to be getting poorer and poorer every day) it is a good school. Worries about kids being teased/bullied, begone! The school has a 0 tolerance policy for things like this. The school is a raffle school with a long waiting list, so you might need to wait to get your kid in. One of the teachers (who I will leave unnamed) has an obsession with making kids pick up trash, which is very annoying. Also, the teachers tend to favor girls a LOT more than boys, so be prepared if your child is a boy. Last but not least, it has "main lesson", which is where you learn something, write a draft, draw a final (needs to be neat, have a nice border, etc.) then draw a picture. Very boring, takes a long time. Overall, its a pretty good school.
Submitted by parent on November 22, 2010

This school is a little gem in the sea of public school choas out there. It is a magical ride for the parents as well just as much as it is for the children. Reason being is that education is presented in such away that it makes you want to be back at school learning again yourself. The school really fosters a community of diversity and a classical education you just can't find easily these days.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2010

The culture here is of care and kindness. As a new family to the school we could not feel more welcomed and cared for anywhere else. Having experiences with standard public schools, I view the significant difference being the shared interest of all families to be involved, maintain high expectations and the focus on heart, hand and head. These students learn how to be great people, in addition to being great learners.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2010

I love Novato Charter School because it is a well rounded education helping children unfold not academically but their love of learning and creativity.