Sonoma Charter School

17202 Sonoma Highway

School District

Sonoma Valley Unified
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

charter

School Map for Sonoma 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 parent on February 18, 2023

I am continually impressed with Sonoma Charter School. My daughter is in 1st grade and is so happy to go to school every day! The most important asset this school has, in my opinion, is a genuine sense of community. Parents are encouraged to join in and volunteer for different activities and programs and in doing so, everyone becomes close, and that helps me feel that my child is safe at school. I can tell my daughter feels safe too because my seriously shy, quiet kid has completely opened up-to the point where she asked her teacher if she could read one of her favorite books aloud to her entire class! And she did, and the kids loved it! Academically, we’ve been very impressed as well. I really appreciate how well the teachers all know the kids and are so good at identifying the kid’s needs. If someone needs extra help, they get it. If someone is performing way above grade level, they get assigned more appropriate work for their abilities. My kid is never bored. I don’t think kids would be able to get this kind of attention at bigger schools. I also think the smaller school size contributes to the overall culture and conduct which has resulted in the *nicest* group of students! The kids care about each other. The middle school age kids are fantastic role models for the younger kids. I have never seen a fight there. I have never heard kids being mean to each other-it truly blows my mind! Can’t recommend this school enough-this school is doing amazing work for our kids!
Submitted by parent on October 06, 2022

I am so glad I found Cal-Pac Charter School - Sonoma! My son absolutely loves it! Which is a lot coming from him. Their Special Needs Division is "hands down" the best! The teachers and counselors/therapists are so compassionate and understanding. They really care about my son's education and are always willing to "go the extra mile" for him. Cal-Pac has definitely made my son love school again! Thank you, Cal-Pac!
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2018

My daughter started at Sonoma Charter School in Kindegarten and is now in second grade. She is reading at a third grade level and absolutley Loves going to school and Adores her teachers. Charter School offers a nourishing environment where students teachers and faculty all have a great mutual respect for each other and the planet at large (every day is started with a pledge to the world, and all living things). The Love my daughter has for learning is enough of a reason for us to give high praises to this wonderful school. I feel so blessed and grateful for the years past and the years to come, and I look forward to seeing my daughter grow and thrive in this supportive environment.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2013

My children have been attending Sonoma Charter School for 8 years. I love that it is a small school that develops each child as an individual. After attending the 8th grade graduation last year I was struck by how well the teachers know the students when they leave. Each student was honored by a teacher with encouraging words and funny anecdotes. My children are confident learners who perform well academically. They feel valued as people and have grown in confidence as citizens of society. The drama and art programs are fantastic and the school reinstated Spanish this year. I feel confident that my children will sail through high school and go on to academic universities thanks largely to their elementary education at Sonoma Charter School.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

Sonoma Charter is a vibrant environment filled with rich educational opportunities and diverse social interactions. This school truly fosters a welcoming, worldly atmosphere where each child (and parent) is valued and supported. My sons passionately loved it from Day One, therefore, so did I.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2013

My daughter started here in 2nd grade. It has been the best experience for her. She is now an 8th grader. One of my favorite things about the school is that it is K-8. During her 6th & 7th grade years her confidence has grown & her insecurities decreased. I know this wouldn't be the case starting all over @ a new school in 6th. People criticize the fact that there are only one 6th, 7th and 8th grade class each but this has allowed her to make close friends & that security has allowed her to be able to learn social skills she may not have learned elsewhere. High school will offer a larger environment & a new experience but with the maturational skills that her self confidence has allowed her to develop, she will handle it smoothly. She has the rest of her school career to manage multiple large classes on a larger campus but you can't trade what she gained from the close environment at Sonoma Charter for a larger school experience. An enthusiastic new director with great ideas will make for a fantastic year! All of the teachers are great and take a personal interest in the children. We may not have all of the things or $ other schools have, but what we do have is priceless.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2013

Sonoma Charter School is a school I send my children to every morning and they can't ait to get there. The very first day of school my 5th grade son who has learning disabilities and has always struggled in calss, came home excited about what he learned, he told me in detail about his day. My Kindergartener who is often shy is laughing and singing and also tells me in detail about his day. What I love about this school is the love of learning and friendship that is instilled. The projects they work on as a group are inventive and fun and teach team building. My kids are truly learning. Also as a parent who has a child w/ learning disabilities the school has been amazing in supporting his learning and meeting his needs. My children are also biracial and diversity is embraced and celebrated so much they never feel like they stand out. The parent community is wonderful and supportive, the teachers communicate fantastically with the parents and the administration is very attentive and always striving towards improving every day. We are very happy here and look forward to many years with our SCS community.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2013

Sonoma Charter School is a wonderful tight knit community with superb and dedicated teachers. You cannot judge the school by its outward appearance. Visit the classrooms and you'll see a type of magic that is infectious!
Submitted by other on August 28, 2013

As an interested observer, I have been impressed by Sonoma Charter School's innovative programs, supportive staff, involved parents, and community outreach. This combination produces results seen in students' achievements and successful graduates. I would not hestitate to recommend Sonoma Charter School to any family.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2013

Fantastic small K-8 school that pays close attention to the developmental and learning needs of each child. The teachers are truly caring and wonderful. Since it is small, there might be less in terms of the variety of upper grade electives compared to really large schools, but more opportunities for unique individual instruction for the students that wouldn't happen at big schools.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2013

I had three kids through this school. We had a great experience there and they benefitted from many great teachers. Particular highlights were: 1. Mr. Edmonson, one of the 4th/5th grade teachers who is one of each of my kids' favorite teachers! 2. Lynda Allen, who's run the Physical Education program since the beginning and is the most creative PE educator I have EVER met! 3. David Sporrong, the after school care provider who I appreciate more than he will ever know for his artistic and nurturing influence in my boys' lives!
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2013

SCS is a wonderful school! Wonderful dedicated Teachers, a great K-8 small campus, parent participation, happy and giving students. The list is endless! These are just a few high lights. Marnie Heitmeyer, parent of a 3rd grader
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2013

An amazing little school on the outskirts of Sonoma. The staff is amazing, and each child gets personalized attention and opportunity for bettering themselves, their grades and their community. SCS is like a family. My child is a more confident speaker and reader due to his education here. My child knows and understands the basics of good health, art, and music because of the extra programs made possible by parental fundraising. I give SCS a 10 out of 10!
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2013

Our son and daughter were fortunate to go to Sonoma Charter School from K-8th grade and received a stellar academic foundation. We had strong teachers every single year who were skilled in not only teaching core content but also in sparking an enduring love of learning which my children will carry with them throughout their entire lives. We particularly loved the Montessori emphasis from K-3 and the project-based learning emphasis from 4-8th grade. They consistently outperform other schools in the area on state tests but do so without teaching to the test. The new principal is bringing a wealth of ideas and energy to the school and I anticipate the coming academic year will be phenomenal as a result. The physical grounds could use improvement and electives like foreign language and technology need strengthening. Despite that, we would wholeheartedly encourage anyone considering Sonoma Charter School to apply for the lottery and attend if you are selected.
Submitted by other on October 09, 2010

because its an independant and progressive school.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2010

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Submitted by parent on October 27, 2009

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Submitted by parent on September 18, 2008

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