Valley Vista Elementary School

730 North Webster Street

School District

Petaluma City Elementary
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Petaluma City 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 parent on October 11, 2019

Amazing neighborhood school. After school enrichment, multi-cultural activities, Spanish, art, STEM...don't believe the low score on this site. A school with a third of ESL students will not score the highest on tests. What it will do is teach your kids two languages, to embrace diversity and other cultures, and that test scores only matter to funding, not children. There is nothing bad about this school, tour and see for yourself.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2019

I love Valley Vista. My son went there back in the 90's and my daughter is there now. Valley Vista is a diverse school with amazing staff that treat each child individually. There is a lot of focus on science as well as multiple opportunities for various enrichment programs. The before and after school childcare is amazing and affordable. Children that graduate from Valley Vista are well prepared to move on to Junior High, both academically and socially. Mine ended up graduating Summa Cum Laude from a California UC with a degree in the Sciences, and that all started because of the opportunities & encouragement to participate in Science at Valley Vista.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2019

We love Valley Vista! We love how diverse the student body is and how that gives our son a broader cultural experience. They do a great job of focusing on the whole student and not just the test scores. They have art classes and dance classes and PE and this amazing garden that sits right at the heart of the school that all the kids get to work in all through the year. And the on-site pre & post-school child care is very convenient and affordable. Our son is very happy to go to school every day, and our 4 year old cannot wait to go there too. He regularly asks when he'll get to go to school with his older brother because he hears about all the fun things he gets to do and he wants to do them too. :-)
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2019

Valley Vista Elementary is a great school. I have three students in Valley Vista currently and we are on year four at the school. I really appreciate that PTA pays for school supplies at the beginning of the year and gives each teacher a budget to supplement their classroom's learning. I love the new transition to IB (international baccalaureate) which makes Spanish a part of the curriculum and uses a more holistic approach to teaching than when I grew up. The teachers are involved in the community building events. They theme classroom learning around being a global citizen. The student population is not homogeneous and is teaching my children how to work with people from other cultural backgrounds. The school is better preparing them for real life.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2016

My daughter has attended Valley Vista for three years beginning in Kindergarten. I can not say enough kind words about this school and the teaching staff. Every teacher my daughter has had has been engaging and wonderful and has given my daughter a love for learning. Thank you to the teachers!
Submitted by other on September 08, 2016

My son is in Mr. Emery's class and he loves going to school everyday. The new principle is awesome and I couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2015

My daughter is a First Grader at Valley Vista, and halfway through our 2nd year there, I have to say I fall more in love with this school every day. Her Kindergarten experience seemed almost magical at times, with Mrs. Hultquist at the helm, nurturing her through this introduction to Elementary school. We are equally thrilled with both of her First Grade teachers. My daughter is thriving in so many ways, and loves going to school. What I love most about the school is their focus on the whole child, not just meeting certain markers. They are not only taught to be good students, but good people, as well. Showing compassion towards one another is rewarded with public recognition and a Red Ribbon Award during Assembly. That just makes my heart smile. Emily Kleinholz, our Principal, is so perfectly matched with this school and is much more than a figurehead. My daughter sees her as a role model and loves spending time with her. She is respected by the students, and stern when appropriate, but she is also approachable and kind. We feel so lucky that Valley Vista is our neighborhood school. It is a perfect fit for our family.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2014

Our children transferred to Valley Vista late last year and were welcomed with open arms by the administration, teachers and students. The most surprising was the warm, friendly, interested greeting and integration by the students themselves - unprompted by teachers or any other adult. The Principal sets a high bar for everyone - from personal expectations for mutual respect & kindess to academic standards - and she makes everyone else accountable as well - teachers, students and parents! Really, REALLY like the Mon morning assemblies when the whole school gathers in the Multi to kick off the week in a positive and informative fashion. Just a top notch community all the way around! As importantly, our children are both being challenged academically and achieving at the high level we know they are capable of. Appreciate their teachers and librarian immensly! There are issues at every school and I'm sure there are some at VV but our experience overall has been incredibly positive with two very happy kids at the end of every single school day. That says more than we, as parents, ever could! :-)
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2012

The teachers and Principal Emily Kleinholz make this school a wonderful environment. They are truly special and I'm honored that my kids learn from them. VV has the most dedicated and enthusiastic teachers and administration - they are good to my family. My kids are very happy here and everyday they come home excited about school. I have a 4th grader and twins in kindergarten. The twins wish that kindergarten ended later in the day - that's a good thing!!! The after care at VV is stellar. Bonnie Weekly has Managed the After Care program for 25+years. Bonnie and her staff take good care of the kids and make sure the kids are having fun!
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2012

As a working parent and avid volunteer at Valley Vista Elementary I couldn't be more satisfied with my children's teachers, the staff, and our diverse community of families. I have children in both upper and lower grades. I have always been impressed with how grade level teachers work together. Children mentor one another through buddy reading programs (which my kids love). I value the diversity at Valley Vista and the feeling of "it takes a village to raise our children." Children are surrounded by caring people during the school day and in aftercare. Parents are encouraged to lend a helping hand wherever they can (in classrooms or behind the scenes) and there is an active community of inspired parents who work, but find time to be apart of the school community in the classroom or through enrichment programs, the garden, arts or community events all with the encouragement of our great Principal. I couldn't be happier. I would encourage more parents to sit in classrooms and observe the learning in action.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2012

The August 28, 2012 review by an obviously disruntled parent is very unfortunate and does not accurately depict this wonderful school. The reviewer relies on inuendo and hearsay to try to cast the school in a bad light. Our three children have prospered at Valley Vista and I could not be happier with the school. All teachers have been outstanding and the administration has always been responsive to inquiries and concerns. I cannot imagine why anyone who could send their children to Valley Vista would not do so.