Ridge and Valley Charter School

"Offers a tuition-free public elementary alternative to conventional local schools in a caring community of shared responsibility."

"My child graduated from RVCS and entered all honors classes in high school. She was well prepared academically and socially for the transition and has remained in all honors for her four years. Her education at RVCS gave her a strong foundation academically, but more importantly, it gave her a strong sense of self that has been wonderful in dealing with the less than ideal traditional education setting of high school. My second will graduate soon and will also enter all honors. RVCS education is different. If you are looking for traditional, sit in rows, do worksheets, never go outside education, RVCS is NOT the right choice. If you are looking for an education for your child that results in strong sense of self, good communication skilks, outside in the environment, caring for the earth, the world, each other, then RVCS is a great choice. If you want your child to master the multiple choice test taking ability go to your local school. If you want a child that can think critically, then RVCS. It's not the same. It doesn't look the same. That's what people that are happy with RVCS were looking for and have found."

"I have three children enrolled at RVCS, and we have been a part of the school community for six years. I am also a licensed teacher, and consistently see that the school meets or exceeds all standards. There are so many things we love about the school, it becomes hard to tell you in one small blurb on a site- but the negative reviews by folks who clearly either are not part of the school community, or for whom the school wasn’t the right choice compel me to try. I can only begin to tell you all the ways the school has made my kids better people, how the guides and entire community are caring, competent, and kind. I can tell you that my kids get a phenomenal education utilizing programs like Invesigations Math and the Columbia University Teacher’s College reading and writing workshop models (this is an outstanding program by any educator’s measure). They get to explore what ignites their passion during weekly independent study time. They are truly learning earth literacy, sustainability, about the animals, plants, and ecosystem of our bio region. They care for the school gardens from planning design, to seed, to tending, harvesting, preserving, and back to seed, year after year. Kids have access to all school guides- not just their own, and one of the best things to me is that the kids are unafraid to speak to adults and to peers. They learn to ask for help when it’s needed. All of this encourages children to be intrinsically motivated to learn, and to be wonderfully articulate. Very important to me- they children also getting to be kids. They enjoy exploring the outdoors, and experiencing overnights that the students and guides work together to plan down to the detail for months. You don’t have to take my words for it- RVCS was recently renewed for the third time by the NJ Department of Education- and with zero addional stipulations. In late 2017 they were one of only four charter schools to be chosen to be featured for their innovation in the report “20 Years of New Jersey Charter. Schools: A State of the Sector Report” in an article entitled “Ridge and Valley: A High-Performing School in Blairstown. You can read it here: https://www.leapacademycharter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/NJCSA_StateOfTheSector2017.pdf This fall, I am delighted to put in the RVCS Kindergarten application for my youngest child. I know they will enjoy nine glorious years there. We only wish it was more!"

"This school has provided my children with the unusual opportunity to think, not memorize. They have learned how to problem solve in real world situations. All are thriving and performing above average in all academic areas. Our oldest who has graduated is in the top percent of class and has won many academic awards and scholarships. This school has taught them to be responsible and life long learners. We are forever grateful. They are well adjusted, joyful, responsible and successful students. Well done RVCS!"

"My daughter is a student at RVCS, as is my cousins daughter. My daughter is able to learn in a way thats best for her hsnds on and direvt experience. Actually learning not trying to memorize things behind a desk. They focus on where things come from, gratitude and creativity. Most things that are lacking this day and age. The teachers are passionate and caring. We look forward to many years here!"

"This school's approach has not met the educational needs of my child, and clearly many other children based on this (schooldigger.com) web site, and several other websites that now report on school testing information. Things many parents find good about the school: 1) small class size (105 students currently in the school), 2) somewhat selective, 3) fairly homogeneous group of children with little diversity (other area schools have high percentages of minorities), 4) no A,B,C... grading system in order to protect the psyche of children and parents, 5) no set structure, such as english will be five times a week at this time, and math will meet at this times on these days... 5) lot's of "classroom leading" or teaching done by parents, 6) very enthusiastic teachers 7) a lot of parent involvement from a core group of parents. Unfortunately, because of the lack of structure, lack of expectations, and a lack of concern regarding the core content areas, our children are not able to perform well on the NJ Ask and the GEPA testing, as can be seen on the results of this website. In addition to spending more time on core content areas and ensuring mastery within those areas, the school needs provide more realistic feedback so parents do not think their children are doing great, and then watch them get clobbered on the end of year testing."

"As a parent of two, I couldn’t be more satisfied with the education and experiences my children are receiving. They love it and are thriving."

"My child attended the regular school in town, constant nagging and excessive amounts of homework and no room to be a kid. When he was finally picked for a spot at Ridge and Valley his life completely changed. No more tears or “sick” days, a true place to grow independently and within the school community! Our daughter is now in her second year and we plan to send our son in kindergarten in a few yrs! This school is not for everyone perhaps but it’s definitely for us! What a great experience we are having!!"

"Excellent school, couldn’t be more happy with this choice school for our son. He is learning so much! Highly recommended!!"

"Two months ago, this school (RVCS) was placed on probation for academic reasons by the New Jersey Department of Educations. I had a child at this school and was very disappointed in the progress my child made throughout the year. If there was any correlation between the wonderful reviews you read from supporters of the school and overall academic performance, this would be one of the top schools in the State. Unfortunately, the academics at the school are a fuzzy environmental theme with these circles where they give praise for plants and animals. Until the buckle down on academics they will not improve. The Schooldigger.com website rating, in my opinion, is far closer to the actual school's academic performance than the glowing parent reviews. All of us will have our own experience, but I, and many of my neighbors, are not happy with this school."