Valencia Elementary School

Welcome to Valencia!  

 

Nestled in a tranquil setting where two creeks merge and bordered by woods on three sides, Valencia Elementary opened as Aptos Union school in 1929 serving K-8 students.  The original school building still stands housing the library and four classrooms. Currently serving 486 students in grades K-6 it is one of the most diverse schools in one of the largest districts both geographically and by population in the state.  Students live in the nearby Aptos Hills south to Sunset Beach.  12% of our students are English learners many living in the nearby San Andreas Labor Community which houses families who make their living in the adjacent strawberry fields.  Nearly 40% of our students qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch program.  We also have the largest population of special education students in the district with both a moderate/severe and a mild/moderate SDC class, eight full inclusion students with 1:1 aides and 36 students receiving RSP services. In 2010, we received a grant to install a Boundless Playground – the only one in Santa Cruz county built especially to allow students with disabilities to play alongside their peers.  We view our diversity as our greatest strength and choose to nurture and celebrate this aspect of our unique school community.

 

Teaching and learning form the centerpiece of the school’s work.  Teachers at all grade levels collaborate weekly, participate in professional development opportunities such as the Monterey Bay Math Project and marine science training from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  In past years, Valencia received a Cotsen Fellowship during which participating teachers chosen for their potential for excellence traveled to Teacher’s College in New York and particpate in a Note and Notice book study and Signposts classroom implementation project

 

As part of our school mission we have adopted a set of Valencia Values:  Respect, Responsibility, and Safety…for ourselves, for others, and for the earth. Our school has earned recognition as a Santa Cruz County Certified Green Business for our efforts to limit our impact on our surrounding environment.  Everyday students can be seen composting, recycling, working in our exemplary school garden or taking walking field trips on trails in our surrounding woods built by our local Eagle Scout troop. To promote the values in our community relationships we follow the Positive Discipline model.  Class meetings in which students compliment and appreciate one another as well as resolve problems are held regularly.  

 

The greater school community, parents, local businesses and organizations, and nearby Cabrillo College and CSUMB students actively support the school.  This year Cabrillo students are supporting our classroom programs in an aide-like capacity. In addition, a volunteer corps of over 100 parents (and grandparents) regularly assist in classrooms as well as supporting fundraising and community-building activities through our HSC Organization and English Learner Advisory Committee.  Parents and staff operate in a shared decision-making mode when planning school budgets and programs.  This is exemplified in the work of the School Site Council (SSC), parents and staff elected by their peers.  SSC develops and revises the annual school plan and approves funding and advocates for Valencia programs with the school district.

 

Valencia Elementary embraces a true spirit of collaboration, caring, and going the extra mile to ensure that all students realize their highest potential.  Students are at the heart of all of our efforts….we are better together. This year's motto - 'Every day is better with YOU...Striving to be BETTER EVERY DAY!'