Kavod Charter

6991 Balboa Avenue

School District

San Diego Unified
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

charter

School Map for San Diego 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 June 17, 2024

Our 2 years with KAVOD have been absolutely amazing and the only reason for leaving is due to moving out of the state otherwise my youngest was set to start there as well. The school is welcoming and inclusive to all and works with the kids holding true to their values of Respect to all. If we ever end up back in San Diego this is our number one choice out of all Charter and Public schools after experiencing 3 others.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2024

It takes a lot for me to write a school review because I’m a teacher and I have extremely high educational standards. Kavod has given us a whole lot of amazing learning experiences but I can sum it up by saying that they have cared for my children with respect, consideration and an openness to learning. Both of my children with IEPS have required specialized services and very specific supports. I found the teachers and staff members to be caring, smart, fun and excited about creating a community of respectful and inquisitive learners. No child was ignored, every child was met where they were enthusiastically and the staff worked extremely hard to address needs while simultaneously building on strengths. My kids have both done very well there and the emphasis on languages and culture has been a ton of fun. Projects were meaningful and I appreciated the organized communication and leadership from administration. I would have never imagined my children speaking all these languages so quickly but they have learned because Kavod makes it possible with their organized programming and the support of all team members. As a part of the parent community, I felt welcomed and cared for there as well. In a time where there is so much division, it’s a beautiful gift when we can gather, respect one another and learn from one another culturally. Kavod is a gem and I know that their best is yet to come. Don’t think, just enroll. Toda Raba, Kavod!
Submitted by other on May 06, 2024

I was at Kavod for 9 years and had an outstanding experience. My education felt personalized and tailored to me, and my academic needs were always met. At Kavod, I acquired valuable critical thinking skills, and I was also introduced to rigorous academics that helped smooth my transition from Kavod to High School. Kavod's language program is unlike any other I've encountered because it is incredibly enriching and immersive. At Kavod, I developed a love for learning and other values and lessons I will cherish for the rest of my life. Kavod has a tight-knit community that makes everyone feel welcome and loved. Kavod is an extraordinary place, and I am so grateful and proud to call myself an alum!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2024

A fantastic school where kids receive a great education and are both supported and encouraged to pursue their passions. The teachers are wonderful and committed to the students. We're very grateful for the focus on a second language!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2024

My boys are in this school since their first grade. Our older son is in a Middle school already.The school provide both Elementary & Middle levels.It is a small-mid size school and I love it since all teachers (and the Principle Alexa!) know every single students and the majority of the parents! - for us it worth a lot. Having a school when the kid is not getting lost in between huge amount of students (like is big huge schools) is a huge benefit for the mental & emotional development of the kid. Our kids love this school and never complain they want to stay at home even for one single day since they join the school.The academic level is very high. The kids are exposed to 3 different languages, projects in science, high Math level and more. Highly recommend other parents to send their kids to this great school.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2024

Both of my children have attended since Kindergarten and Kavod has been instrumental in their growth and development. The enrichments at the elementary school level ensure a whole child approach to education, ensuring kids learn important social emotional skills alongside academic elements. The school culture is based on kindness and respect and the diverse students, parents and teachers use those values in creating a wonderfully positive environment for kids to thrive. My oldest is now in High School and is better prepared for his peers for advanced Math and English classes, as well as language due to the excellent instruction he received at Kavod in elementary and Middle School. My 7th grader continues to thrive at Kavod, taking part in Spanish, Hebrew, PE, a school musical, social clubs, and more. As parents, we rarely have concerns about what our kids experience at Kavod but anytime we do, the staff are responsive and open to our ideas and suggestions. The teachers are incredible- seeing kids as individuals and incredibly gifted at meeting their needs as they grow and learn. We are grateful to be a part of this amazing school community!
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2024

I have 3 kids here since 2016. They love the school. For my oldest we had short 2 months not satisfied experience with another school, nothing comparable to the Kavod.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2024

The whole Team is AMAZING, and always on top of everything!
Submitted by parent on February 12, 2024

So disappointed in this school and how they handle bullying and harassment. They victim blame and make the students feel like they aren’t valid. Over a years worth of harassment reports from several students complaining about one student in particular. Over a year and the victims now exhibit a trauma response, and have become hyper vigilant and vocal towards their aggressor. The school administrators have done nothing to make them feel safe. They even recently added extra gates and fencing, fence coverings and armed guards at the front entrance. They make it feel almost like it’s war time. After many years I’ve seen the quality of this school dissipate and it’s a complete $h1t show. I’m moving my child to a different school, they do not need the stress of having the bully continue to harass them.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2023

I have 3 kids in the school. They started from TK and over all I love their growth during years. Really appreciate school support. I have experienced other school too Kavod is the best place for kids to learn and progress Academically and personally.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2023

I highly DON'T recommend this school because my kid went to this school and these girls were making fun of her and it got so bad to the point were she doesn't wanna show up anymore. I highly recommend the teachers do something about the group of students or ill might take my daughter out of this school, please do something about the bullying in the school.
Submitted by parent on October 10, 2022

Not a good school. They don't care about their students. Zero support for parents
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2022

My kid thrived at this school. My kid was in the founding kindergarten class to go all the way to eigth grade, so we saw all the growth phases of this great school. The teachers/staff were amazing. I am still overwhelmed on how rich of an experience this was. The school had light home work in elementary school, but then ramped it up in middle school involving many group projects and papers as the International Bachelorette (IB) program dictates. One of the most impressive times was the start of the Covid Pandemic. While most San Diego Unified Schools shut down and struggled, Kavod was open for business within a week of the March lock-down. It turned out some of the staff, including the Director, had experience in remote learning and was able to pivot quickly. The first month or so, you could tell the teachers and staff were iterating figuring things out. However, other than the social disconnect, I didn't feel my kid lost out of much education. Kavod was also one of the first schools to do hybrid learning and then go back to campus during the Pandemic. I now feel the relative size and the fact that it was a Charter School allowed them to iterate quickly. This is not a dig at classic public schools, just an observation. In the eighth grade, my kid was lucky enough to be among the ten who got to travel to Israel along with four other schools in the Hebrew Public national system. My kid said this was a life-changing experience and wants to travel to more countries. If you are concerned or want a faith-based school, it is not. The school is a public charter school and makes a serious effort to make everyone feel welcome. There are many backgrounds and parents send their kids here for many different reasons. We chose it because the focus on a foreign language. My kid chose a classic public high school to continue the IB program, so I have no agenda on the charter vs. public school. I feel my kid is more than prepared for high school. FYI: I don't have a child who needed Special Ed so I am unfamiliar with their resources hence my score.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2022

THIS SCHOOL STAYED OPEN LAST YEAR WHEN THE MAJORITY OF SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE WERE SHUT DOWN! Last year, while most students were still homeschooled, when most parents were stressed about insuring their kids get an education while holding down a job working from home - while most kids were unable to socialize and suffered stress from isolation - Kavod was able to safely stay open to serve both the needs of their students and the needs of their parents. Not only did it stay open - but it also offered a remote learning experience for those students who were still uncomfortable returning to campus - THEY CREATED NOT ONE BUT TWO EDUCATIONAL PLATFORMS for students and parents to partake in. And their pivot in both directions was seamless.This says a lot about the school, its admin, and its leadership.In terms of academics, I have seen this school grow its academic offerings, allowing the children to explore more subjects, learn more languages, and further their neurological growth and development as a result. Kavod started off with only Hebrew as a second language. Now, children have the opportunity to learn both Hebrew and Spanish. And that is just one example of academic variety and growth.Kavod sources its instructors from all over the world and its level of academia is world-class and inspiring. My kids come home from school with information and experiences that are truly global in nature. As their teachers come from all over the world, they bring their intelligence and information and they pass that on to the kids. Now, not only do my kids like school but they are excited about the world and exploring it one dayAcademically, Kavod exhibits a first-class private education - BUT ITS FREE!!!! Kavod is like a hidden jewel in San Diego - while other parents worry their kids are not learning enough, are not supported enough, and are willing to spend thousands of dollars to get that - I am safe in knowing my kids' are supported academically, they receive social/emotional support, and I get a community of like-minded parents. I cant say enough good things about this school.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2022

It sounds like the same person wrote all three of the previous reviews (grammer, tense, composition)...Sounds like an agenda.With any institution, several factors function as critical inputs into a system. The critical features of any school are the successes and confidence of the students. OVerall, the kids at this school are confident and flourish in this "no quitting" environment. Can things be done better administratively? Of course. KAVOD and it's leadership are doing the best they can with what they have and the students are benefitting. Just look at the kids during your tour and see their engagement and pay attention to how happy they are in and out of class. That's the measure of a school. Not your opinion of their leadership. Everyone thinks they can run a school until it's time to run a school (first person experience). The kids actions will tell you how good the school is.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2022

Once a great school. Now it’s an institution that has low academic standard, run by incompetent leadership. The teachers do their best, but are overshadowed by a principal and other members of the admin and executive team, who seem to care more for power and gathering school funding than education and school culture and values.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2022

This was once a great school until the middle school grades were incorporated into the charter. The school was once a safe place built around community and respect but that is no longer the case. The environment has degraded to the point that there have been weapons brought on campus, knife threats, and bullying is rampant. Administrative leadership and the Kavod school board do not know how to address the issues, as they seem to have lost control of the once positive culture as the school expanded. Several years ago, I would have highly recommended this school... now I would recommend steering clear.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2021

It once was a school which revolved around education but has now turned into a social indoctrination program school like any other public school. Kavod means respect, except when it comes to the parents. If you do not agree with the social indoctrination your children will be bullied. Teachers force both racist and sexual indoctrination’s in this school. This school is no different then your typical public school. Unfortunately It’s just another public San Diego school.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2021

My kids love it here. I like the teachers a lot. My youngest daughter is doing much better with school and enjoys going to school now.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2020

The attitude and the energy of the whole team reflects on the great job that they are doing! Very happy with the whole concept!