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Our Vision
The Yuba River Charter School endeavors to develop free human beings who, of themselves, are able to impart purpose and direction to their lives. School Verse This is our school. A community of teachers and families uniting to inspire a love of life and learning for the whole child, for the whole world. Our School There are over two hundred charter schools in the state of California. Although each one may be unique in its mission, program and in the challenges it faces, they all have some crucial elements in common. Charter schools address the need for parents to have expanded choices in the kinds of educational experiences available to their children and involvement in the life of the school. These elements, along with the expectation that the innovations provided by charter schools will translate into overall student achievement and represent the threefold principles of the Charter Movement. Our vision for a charter school using Waldorf-trained teachers and Waldorf methods began several years ago, due to the active interest of many local parents and teachers. This effort culminated in 1994 with the opening of the Twin Ridges Alternative Charter School. The school served kindergarten through grade two under the auspices of the Twin Ridges Elementary School District. The first year, the kindergarten was situated in the idyllic setting of the John Woolman School children Center. Grades one and two were in a portable building at the Jacobson Dude Ranch in Nevada City. The first year was ushered in under the existing Home Study Charter of Twin Ridges. In our second year we added another kindergarten and expanded through grade six. We wrote our own charter and received approval by the State (charter #86). Within a month of the start of school, we found accommodations at 870 Gold Flat Road in Nevada city. Our enrollment was 185 children, with 8 full-time teachers, and a part-time administrator. Our program also included five specialty-subject teachers and an after-school program. In our third year, 1996-1997, we expanded to grade seven and added a full-time administrator and co-teaches in grades one and two. The student population reached 200 and the specialty program grew to include Spanish, German, Games, Handwork, Woodwork, Eurythmy, Music, Drama and Calligraphy. We developed a comprehensive committee structure, with harmonious and productive work from our parent and Charter Councils. A great moment came with the naming of our school. In September 1997 we became a complete elementary school, kindergarten through grade eight, with 200 students. We added two portable buildings for our kindergartens, and graduated our first grade eight class in the spring of 1998! 
On July 1, 1999, we moved to a new facility at the Bitney Springs Center in Grass Valley, shown above. The increased classroom space was not the only benefit we derived. Bitney Springs Center is a 300-acre park with a mix of firs, pines and cedars, hundred mile views, hiking trails and two ponds. It is an ideal setting for our school, allowing us to fulfill our educational vision by providing our students and community with a site for nature and environmental studies, gardening, outdoor activities and art, music and theater programs. Top of the page. |
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Copyright©2005 Yuba River Charter School Web design donated by Kim Cote |
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