34347 Gap Rd
Golden, CO 80403

Ralston is a Jefferson County School. Jefferson County School District has systemic issues which permeate the district from the superintendent down to the school level. While the majority of teachers at Ralston Valley are caring, the admin tend to lack humanness. They tend to take a one-size-fits-all approach and don't seem to be willing (able?) to perspective-take and consider individual needs and circumstances. While it's necessary to be firm and consistent, there are always going to be nuances when dealing with students from all different backgrounds and walks of life, a concept RV would do well to acknowledge. Some RV educators don't value parents as invaluable advocates and supporters in their children's lives---if and when they feel justified in overriding parental authority. Concerns shared with admin about employee missteps should be taken seriously and addressed, not downplayed or ignored. Complacency when things are going smoothly at RV can turn into being blindsided by an onslaught of circumstances or events which can negatively impact students. Teachers are the highlight of RV, most of them genuinely caring about students and working to meet them where they are. Bravo, teachers!

School is great. My kids love going to school. Having a pre-k in this small community is amazing. Small class sizes are the single best predictor of student success. Being somewhat out from under the thumb of the poorly run Jeffco School District into a public charter that better uses my tax money is a benefit. My only complaint is that I would like to be more involved as a parent in the pto and the current pto has not listened to complaints that the time they scheduled meetings has excluded working patents.