San Diego Cooperative Charter School

Posted: July 22, 2022

I had mixed feelings about this school. On the one hand, it seemed to be a good fit for my middle schooler. She was brand new & was welcomed right in. She is a creative artsy tech type & I feel really thrived here in this smaller environment. I was really attracted to the whole child inclusive approach.

But it wasn’t the same welcoming vibe for my 1st grader unfortunately, & that tainted everything for me. They promoted a great special education team with an inclusive approach. I have read all about inclusion models specifically for autism & was thrilled to finally find a school that seemed to offer this & truly embrace difference. It looked great on paper. But apparently they mean those that are a little quirky, aka, the “easier to handle” kids. My child is a happy animated little girl, she just needs some extra accommodation.

There is too much nuance to fit here, but in a nutshell they (particularly one staff member) made us feel so small, like we’d be burdening them if we chose to keep her there, were told that their enrollment admin was new, implying he shouldn’t have enrolled her, that of course they’d have to legally accommodate her but “to be honest I’m not sure this will work out”, & because of the strict mask policy she would be separated from her class, not allowed to play on the playground or really do anything fun the school had to offer because of her sensory aversion to keeping any kind of mask on her face (not for lack of trying). So basically my child who is already so othered in her life would be further ostracized. I am for masks, but this is supposed to be accommodated for. I did not process this all fully until later, I walked out of there just crying in defeat. We could have fought this, but after the encounter we felt so discouraged we pulled her right out & continued homeschooling as we had been. We wanted her to experience what her sister had, but felt she’d have been miserable there being made to watch everyone else experience all the perks of this school while being isolated in one of the dreary back trailers. And let me tell you, this school is colorful & alluring for a little kid like her. She was upset to leave without getting to play on the playground like the other kids.

I wanted to pull my older child out too, but felt it wouldn’t be fair to her, so we stuck it out. Needless to say, the year was very bittersweet. We ended up moving out of the area so she won’t be returning next year anyway.

Posted: July 22, 2022

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Posted: August 28, 2021

Posted: August 28, 2021

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Posted: August 28, 2021

One can agree to disagree but the wonks that ran this school would not allow the pledge of allegiance to be done. Had tizzy fits when Girl Scouts wanted to raise flag and take it down. Unbeknownst to me my kids went K-8 without learning the pledge of allegiance, which I find explains a lot about what's happening.

Posted: August 28, 2021

Posted: December 3, 2020

This school was once great. Unfortunately with the change of leadership, all of the incredible teachers left too. The new administration is heavy on messaging only - no follow through whatsoever.
An emphasis on funding and the teachers have superseded the needs for the children. The school admin. constantly asks for donations and want you to sign up for government assistance through them so they can pocket the funds.
This place has lost it's focus on the children and it's quite sad. Politically motivated to tow the line for the SD teachers union, they don't have the kid's best interest in heart and only make decisions that are in line with the union's political alignment.
The former administration was focused on the kids and was a true co-op and now it's about as far from that as you can get.
Non-responsive to problems, issues, or concerns about safety should concern you as a parent looking to send your kids here. There are much better schools in much better neighborhoods which would better serve your children.
Too bad, what was once great is just a shell with a new building but crumbling everywhere else where it really matters.
Do your due diligence and really dig into this place before you commit sending your precious kids here.

Posted: December 3, 2020

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Posted: December 16, 2019

Posted: December 16, 2019

Many of the teachers are experienced in project based learning.

Posted: December 16, 2019

Students are taught socioemotional skills from kindergarten onwards. They are exposed to diverse cultures through peers, inter-grade collaborations, and diverse volunteers.

Posted: December 16, 2019

Leaders are receptive to parents and love students.

Posted: December 16, 2019

Teachers treat every student as an individual, and parent volunteers and instructional assistants provide a lot of 1:1 opportunities for children to learn in different ways. Many families who have children with learning differences choose this school because their children will be valued.

Posted: December 16, 2019

The strong emphasis on socioemotional skills helps a lot with this.

Posted: December 16, 2019

We have been here for 5 years with three kids, ranging from kinder through 8th. Our kids love the school, love attending, and love their teachers. I love that they have a strong music, dance, and art program. The teachers for these programs are phenomenal and truly a gift.

Our children are doing very well academically. One child, of whom we became guardians in 5th grade, has gone from hating school and avoiding books to devouring a book each week, critically answering questions about it, and moving from being significantly behind in math to advanced math. My daughter thrives with the project based approach, researching topics and writing about them at a level that far exceeds her grade level. This is not a test-heavy school, and learning depth and joy is prioritized over rote memorization. Almost all kids at the school love their school and love learning.

This school is an excellent example of why snapshot test scores really don't represent the children's learning, critical thinking, or well roundness (including socioemotionally). Test scores are further complicated by a school where parents bring their children - who struggle for various reasons at neighborhood schools - in later grades. A quantitative snapshot doesn't capture longitudinal growth of students who have been at the school for years.

Posted: January 16, 2019

It’s our first year at SDCCS and our experience has been excellent. We’re part of the half day TK/K program and loving it. Small class size, stellar art program, low child per adult ratio, supporting staff, helpful office personnel, cooking, gardening, farm animals, hands on science program with by-monthly field trips, weekly report from teacher of what’s going on in classroom regarding curriculum, Orton-Guillingham literacy approach, effective social-emotional learning, like-minded parents that are involved in child’s school life, and a nurturing sense of community. SD Coopertiave Charter has it all and I’m positive is one the Happiest Places on Earth. If you’re looking for something more for your child, education that goes on the opposite way of mainstream. School environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking and strong sense of self and community, that’s the place to be!

Posted: January 16, 2019

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Posted: November 1, 2017

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Posted: November 1, 2017

5 stars for the last 10 years. I couldn't have dreamed of a better school for my children.

Posted: May 9, 2017

I am so very pleased with this school. The teachers we have had for Kinder and 1st grade are amazing! The principal has been very responsive to any concerns I've had. I feel like they really understand my child, and love and appreciate him for who he is. Plus, I've been impressed with the academics. My husband and I are both attorneys and we thought we were choosing social emotional learning over vigorous academics but we feel the academics are quite strong for the stuff that matters (critical thinking, analytical reasoning, oral and written communication). We are so thankful for this school.

Posted: May 9, 2017

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Posted: December 14, 2016

Kids spend enough time away from family at school, when they get home, family time is strongly encouraged rather than sitting them in a corner to do worksheets...we all learn better from real life experiences. Research proves it!

Posted: December 14, 2016

Staff and parents look out for ALL students best interests as much as humanly possible! The community is amazing! Our family has grown in more ways than I ever could have imagined through the last 3 years as my daughter has attended San Diego Cooperative Charter School in Linda Vista. Her principal, teacher, and all the aides she has had are amazing! I know she is loved, listened to and given the opportunity to help her peers, which gives her the confidence she needs to be able to stand up for what is right. I know she will make this world a better place, even more so because of her experiences at SDCCS!

Posted: November 17, 2016

Posted: November 17, 2016

Posted: November 17, 2016

Posted: November 17, 2016

This school is terrible. Academic standards and expectations are extremely low, classrooms are chaotic and structure is nonexistent. There is little to no individual attention given to students by the teacher and the blended classroom structure and group work mentality seems to mean that the older kids are expected to teach the younger.
If your child has an IEP, don't even think of sending them to this school. The special ed department is an unorganized mess, more concerned with forcing their own opinions on a student rather then what works best for the student himself. There is no collaboration, cooperation or communication but rather rude, unprofessional behavior with little consideration for what is in the child's best interests.
I honestly do not know how any child could learn in this school.

Posted: June 10, 2016

Posted: June 10, 2016

There is a lot of self-regulation with regard to homework; some kids do it, some don't. It depends on the kids and his/her needs for more.

Posted: June 10, 2016

There is a strong social emotional component to the education here. Wish it was transmitted to some of the parents who strut about in an entitled way.

Posted: June 10, 2016

Recently, there has been the sense among parents of high achieving kids that the school is abandoning them academically in favor of students with IEPs and special needs. In one class there are 30% of the students with IEPS ... that's a lot of kids needing extra support on the low end. There needs to be support and enrichment for kids at the other end of the educational spectrum. Our higher achieving kids are not being challenged!

Posted: November 6, 2014

Main consideration should be whether it's a "fit" for your child's learning style. In some ways, constructivist, project-based setting works best for self-motivated kids. Lack of structure/accountabilty can be problematic unless parents are strong advocates There are some amazingly invested, talented teachers here but also a handful who use lack of structure and tolerance of alternative methods to justify an "anything goes" mentality. Problem is made worse by a principal who is strong on theory and concept and leads from her heart but lacks leadership skills to manage staff, delegate real authority and to confront obvious ongoing problems that impact staff and parent morale. As a result, the school seems stuck in a pattern of unrealized potential due to the extraordinary amount of energy that goes into managing drama in an organization where chaos reigns. Often feels like school is more about handling adults' needs than kids'. Perhaps all schools have these issues? However, their strength in social/emotional arena is priceless and I credit them with the fact my kids are happy, well-rounded, creative and love school. SO, what are you going to do?

Posted: April 27, 2014

very alternative school. I really like the educational field trips. I joined this school starting 5th grade because my son needed smaller class size and a friendlier environment. This school is perfect. My son is very happy and seems to be learning..........

Posted: August 22, 2013

SDCCS is the most amazing school ever! I have learned so much and, contrary to what others have said, the middle school math standard(especially seventh grade) is quite high. I have gone from a third grade to a grade level education in two years, getting straight As, over 90% on test scores. I don't care what others say, this school is the best school in the entire world. We have caring teachers who are all like parents to me, and sweet people everywhere. Zero bullying is tolerated. Once two people had to apologize in front of the entire school for sending a rude email to a fellow student. I highly recommend this school. Love it! <3 <3 :) (: c:

Posted: August 16, 2013

I have a 15 year old who started in kindergarten at SDCCS and is now doing very well in high school. I also have two sons who are currently enrolled at SDCCS in 7th grade and 1rst grade. I can honestly say that I wouldn't send them to any other school. I believe in the philosophy and have seen how it plays out over a 9 year period with so many kids who started in kinder with my daughter....this school fosters emotional intelligence, curiosity and confidence which is so important in the development of a child's ability to problem solve. They know how to help themselves!I really trust the community at the school and appreciate the importance placed social issues in all grades. After being there for over 11 years (with 7 more to go) I can honestly say that I don't mind some of the chaos that also goes along with a place like SDCCS with it's pets and gardens and festivals and parades and field trips and science projects happening in the hallways. It has worked extremely well for all my kids with their very different personalities!

Posted: June 2, 2013

Although I think this school is making growth and overcoming adversity, I am still concerned that my son is not learning what he needs to be successful. I don't believe standards and the need for academic challenges are of interest to many of the primary teachers. I love that my son has made many friends and peer relationships are strong, however he has yet to bond with his teachers and this worries me because the 'male role model' he needs in his life is not to be found on staff in the primary grades. He will have to wait until Middle School (unless I relocate him sooner) to receive great teacher-student interaction with the male staff. I think you are doing many wonderful things SDCCS, but there is a need for new faces or a 'changing of the guard'. Teachers that have been there for over a decade need either a new role or a new setting. I know charter schools have the authority to remove educators that aren't a 'great fit' for kids. I wish the administration would recognize this and do what is best for the kids, not just keep teachers around because they are friends with one another.

Posted: March 24, 2013

Wow, this school has grown by leaps and bounds in the past several years. It seems that the staff are always trying to take things up a notch and make the school even better than it already is. Don't worry about the poor rating this site has given to our wonderful school. The raters have no knowledge of this schools fabulous social/emotional curriculum, hands-on learning activities, unbelievable art program, loving dedicated teachers, kind, generous and supportive families, and hard-working leaders. When the school began recruiting some children who did not have all the advantages of the more affluent families the result was an immediate drop in test scores. It is unfortunate that the school is penalized for trying to help children who have fewer options. It's a win-win for my children though because in addition to the impressive curriculum they are also making friends with kids from many different backgrounds. To me diversity is an important consideration when looking at schools. I know this school is awesome when strangers ask where my kids go to school because they are so impressed with their behavior, thoughtfulness and intelligence. Thank you SDCCS, you are the best!

Posted: May 13, 2012

This is one amazing School. We came from out of state and we spend several months in Rady children's Hospital. My daughter had some special dietary and other needs that the school was very willing to help with and help her with continueing her education. The teachers are awesome and the staffing has been beyong top notch! If you get the chance to attend this school, please do so! you iwll never regret it!!! Thank you to everyone and the staff for all you have doen and do. They do the most amazing job with kids and are truely caring and helpful.

Posted: January 10, 2012

I am an alumni at this school and I simply love SDCCS. I was definitely prepared for high school. And I can't believe some of the things that has been said about this amazing school. This school is not taught to the test and is project based learning. This method was perfect for me and I excelled and even got the flying pheonix award. (which is all A's and E's both semesters the eighth grade) I go to San Diego High now and I am perfectly capable of dealing with the homework load, the method of teaching which is by all means NOT project based. I think that going to this project based school followed by a 'taught to the test' school is a perfect pair for almost all students. However if you are a parent looking for a school with amazing test scores, as you can obviously see this is not the school for you. I for one got advanced in all my test scores but some of my friends didn't. I had the best time at SDCCS and I always look forward to when I can visit my old again. I treasure the memories I have there and I adore watching my siblings go through this school all the while learning so much. Thank you SDCCS I will never forget you.