River Valley Charter School
Lakeside, CA 92040
Phone: (619) 390-2579
Fax: (619) 390-2581
District: Lakeside Union Elementary School District
GreatSchools Rating
charter • Grades 7,8,9,10,11,12 • 231 students
River Valley Charter School, a charter school located in Lakeside, CA, serves grades 7-12 in the Lakeside Union Elementary School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 9 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
River Valley Charter School is a charter school located in Lakeside, CA. 231 students attend River Valley Charter School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 10/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 California Science Test data from California Department of Education. |
| College Readiness | 8/10 | The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using 2019 SAT percent college ready data from California Department of Education, using 2019 Average ACT score data from California Department of Education, using 2019 ACT percent college ready data from California Department of Education, using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from California Department of Education, using 2025 Percent of students who meet UC/CSU entrance requirements data from California Department of Education, and using 2025 demographic data from California Department of Education. |
| Student Growth | 10/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from California Department of Education. |
Posted: June 20, 2019
Posted: June 20, 2019
Teachers care about the students and help them achieve their goals.
Posted: June 20, 2019
Posted: June 20, 2019
Administration department at this school, to include the principal, post activities and functions at the very last second. They are all very nice, but need to do a better job of using the school website to post information. Another annoying item is that activities and functions already scheduled are changed to another date or time at the very last moment without regard to students and parents schedules.
Posted: June 20, 2019
Posted: June 20, 2019
Very little bullying at this school. Most students treat each other with respect and it is rare to see problems between students at this school.
Posted: June 20, 2019
This school is overall great, both my children attended here and have become successful. They both enjoyed attending here and always said they were glad we picked this charter school for them.
Posted: February 12, 2018
We had the initial impression this was a highly academically focused school. Unfortunately, although most of the teachers are wonderful, it appears the school is attracting more students who just couldn't perform well in a regular school setting due to various behavioral or other issues as opposed to students who prefer to be challenged in a rigorous academic setting.
Posted: February 12, 2018
Posted: February 12, 2018
Posted: February 12, 2018
Posted: February 12, 2018
Posted: February 12, 2018
Posted: February 12, 2018
Posted: September 26, 2017
Posted: September 26, 2017
Posted: September 26, 2017
Posted: September 26, 2017
Posted: September 26, 2017
Posted: September 26, 2017
Posted: September 26, 2017
Our daughter struggled in middle school not achieving her full potential-not a problem here. Teachers and Staff are nothing short of impressive. If you are not happy with teacher involvement and communication at your current school, then I highly recommend River Valley!
Posted: January 19, 2017
Posted: January 19, 2017
Posted: January 19, 2017
Posted: January 19, 2017
Posted: January 19, 2017
Posted: January 19, 2017
Posted: January 19, 2017
My daughter has gone to this school for 2 years and we love it. Besides excelling in her studies the teachers are preparing her well for college and life. She can get tutoring in any subject whenever she needs it. They talk about colleges, careers and life skills on a regular basis in a tangible way that really connects with who they are and who they want to become.
Posted: March 27, 2016
Posted: March 27, 2016
Posted: March 27, 2016
Posted: March 27, 2016
Full of self absorbed parents, kids, and teachers. Of course you will do well on test scores.
Posted: October 6, 2014
Amazing school! Highest API scores in SD county for 11 years in a row. When I read the other reviews I was shocked, my youngest daughter is disabled & wears a brace, she has many friends and has NEVER been bullied. This school is welcoming to students who would probably not be the "in crowd" at other schools. My oldest daughter, also has a disability went 7th -12th grade there, LOVED the school. The math tutoring was overcrowded, we opted to take Geometry online through BYU, so she could work at her own pace. The atmosphere is amazing, the students LOVE & RESPECT the teachers. Students have pride in their work. The Principal, Mr. Wall is a great leader, patient & approachable. Classrooms are about 16 students to a class, critical thinking & discussion is encouraged. There is no fill in the blank work at this school! Many textbooks are the same text books they use at the community college. The kids are responsible for themselves and given a master agreement each semester to sign. If the student is disruptive or abusive to other students they will not be given a master agreement. (then it seems they come and vent on a site like this) My daughter is now breezing through college!
Posted: August 4, 2014
We have been using this school for two years. The English and History/Geography departments are outstanding. However, the Math and Science departments are, well, when you know this school it's easy to see why the US is so far behind most of the world in these two subjects. The teachers are nice, but the method does not work. "Tutoring" is fatally overcrowded due to the teaching methods that don't work. If you choose to attend this school, be prepared to pay for private tutoring, or accept low grades in these subjects.
Posted: August 17, 2013
School has great education standards etc. but my gay son was bullied and taunted for being who he is, and staff, parents and students all offered to pray with him for a 'cure.' If you are happy with a very narrowly focused, narrow-minded school, this could be right for you
Posted: July 22, 2013
I'm a new student to RVCS and honestly my experience here has been absolutely amazing! I get top notch education and I come here knowing that my Educators all have Masters Degrees, and are more than qualified to teach. Not only that, the Instructors are definitely One-of-a-Kind. They are the nicest, most caring teachers I have ever met. You can tell they are Passionate about their subject. The Staff is amazing, the kids are awesome and treat each other with respect. There is ABSOLUTELY NO bullying here whatsoever. I feel so welcomed here. However the campus could use a touch up. Other than that the school has met all of my standards.
Posted: July 15, 2013
I cannot say that River Valley is for everyone, but I would like to. It is most likely one of the best schools in the country. A loving, expert staff; accepting, intelligent yet fun-loving students - RV has all these qualities. And not to mention this school is award winning. I absolutely love my school. It is not perfect, but it is great.
Posted: February 9, 2011
We love this school! The culture of the school is a very happy safe effective learning environment.
Posted: November 24, 2006
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santee Villas | Apartment Complex | Santee | CA | 1.7 mi | |
| 2 | Canyon Run Apartments | Apartment Complex | El Cajon | CA | 3.1 mi | |
| 3 | Lakeview Village Apartments | Apartment Complex | Spring Valley | CA | 8.4 mi | |
| 4 | Del Cerro | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 9 mi | |
| 5 | Jackson Pointe Townhomes | Condominium/Townhouse | Spring Valley | CA | 9.2 mi | |
| 6 | Jackson Pointe Townhomes | Condominium/Townhouse | Spring Valley | CA | 9.2 mi | |
| 7 | Canyon View | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 10.2 mi | |
| 8 | Spectrum Center Blvd, Kearny Mesa | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 11.6 mi | |
| 9 | City Heights | Neighborhood/Subdivision | San Diego | CA | 12.6 mi | |
| 10 | Heritage at Otay Ranch | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Chula Vista | CA | 13.1 mi | |
| 11 | Riverfront Condominium Rentals | Apartment Complex | San Diego | CA | 14 mi | |
| 12 | Legacy Walk | Condominium/Townhouse | San Diego | CA | 14.4 mi | |
| 13 | Eastlake Greens | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Chula Vista | CA | 14.4 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santee | Santee | CA | 2.2 mi | |
| 2 | Santee Trolley Square | Santee | CA | 2.7 mi | |
| 3 | El Cajon | El Cajon | CA | 4.2 mi | |
| 4 | Rancho San Diego | El Cajon | CA | 7.3 mi | |
| 5 | East County of San Diego | La Mesa | CA | 7.6 mi | |
| 6 | Del Cerro | San Diego | CA | 8.6 mi | |
| 7 | Wine Country area of Scripps Ranch | San Diego | CA | 8.8 mi | |
| 8 | Kensington | San Diego | CA | 11.3 mi | |
| 9 | Serra Mesa | San Diego | CA | 11.9 mi | |
| 10 | Mira Mesa | San Diego | CA | 11.9 mi | |
| 11 | North Park | San Diego | CA | 13.4 mi | |
| 12 | Bonita | Chula Vista | CA | 14 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Miramar MCAS | 11.3 mi. |
| San Diego Naval Medical Center | 14.7 mi. |
| San Diego Naval Base | 15.9 mi. |
| MCRD San Diego | 16.9 mi. |
| Coronado Naval Amphibious Base | 17.9 mi. |
| North Island NAS | 18.8 mi. |
| Naval Base Point Loma | 21 mi. |
| Camp Pendleton | 43.6 mi. |
