Eldridge

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!

I attended El Verano as a child and now I am 22 years old. I enjoyed my experience and know that the school has fabulous, caring teachers with a ton of experience. My little brother currently attends EV and I am able to see how the school has remain true to caring for its students.

Our grandson has flourished at Flowery school. We are so impressed when he reads us a book in Spanish and the fact that he reads just as well in English is amazing. Have said before that the atmosphere at Flowery is truly a sunny one and we always look forward to a visit when we are in town. This school model is needed everywhere. Hope to be back in the fall this year and am sure we will stop by.

Overall this school is failing miserably at serving children of color. Multiple teachers and members of administration including the principal herself have participated in racist behaviors towards Latino and African American students. When parents have attempted to bring attention to this, they are met with denial and deeply condescending responses from both teachers and principal. The refusal to address feedback and work on building a more inclusive and safe environment for students is deeply concerning.