Novato Charter

We love the Charter School. There are certainly some people that take issue with the class fund contribution requests but those requests occur at all public and private schools on the SF Bay Area.

The education provided at the Charter School is top notch. For example, my fifth grader is learning Botany, can play the violin, recorder and is teaching her self to play the ukulele. She has a passion for art, observation and problem solving and no qualms about giving presentations or any public speaking. All of these skills were taught with a gentle hand and encouragement by the amazing teachers. The students are nurtured in ways you just don't see at other schools.

If you are considering it go and take a tour. Make your own determination. Please don't let the grumpy reviewer above deter you from what could be an amazing gift to your child.

Please consider the following:
The "Organic Garden" the children eat from, dig in, play in, run around on, and breath the dust from has a historical toxic past from its time used by the military. The school is also located just a few feet from one of the largest MTBE/Benzene toxic sites in California. http://wpn.org/Hamilton/HAFB_Toxics_Map.html
The surrounding neighborhoods cannot legally plant a food production garden or fruit trees due to their roots extracting past toxic chemicals. http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/New-Marin-Subdivision-Gets-MTBE-Warning-Sales-2948290.php

The outside perception of a cute, happy, shinny school does not reflect the interior reality. Lots of window dressing.
Parent nights are strongly encouraged where you will listen to outside Waldorf speakers on how to raise your child. "Do as I say, not as I do" http://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2014/08/09/teacher-linked-child-porn-became-waldorf-rock-star/13849859/

Remember this is a free public school. However the cost to attend here is roughly $400 per child for the yearly class fund plus an additional $1800 dollars a year for the "school pledge". That's $2400 a year your being manipulated to pay to attend a free public school in Novato. If you do not pay on-time you will be called, emailed, or spoken to. Everyone knows, as the school foundation/pta (parents) are the collectors. Remember the kids can't bully but the adults will whisper and shun! http://www.novatocharterschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2013-2014-Contribution-Form.pdf

The teacher turn over rate is now high. Extreme large class sizes with no in class help in last few years.

All in all, parents want the best for their kids. Sometimes our fears, anxiety, and insecurities surrounding our perceptions of the greater world leads us to explore alternatives that will help keep our kids safe from the problems and stresses of the world.
However it's those honest and pure emotions we hold as parents that leads others to take advantage of us. You do not need to have someone telling you over and over that your "lucky" that your child is at this school instead of. a neighborhood school. Its as if its a trophy or prize that you won but somebody else didn't. You and your kids should 'feel lucky' because you feel it, see it, and experience it! Us vs. them? What does that teach your child?