Walnut Grove Elementary School

Pleasanton's Walnut Grove Elementary School is one of the most highly regarded schools in California and is located in a scenic coastal valley just east of San Francisco Bay. Within a middle class suburban hamlet of 60,000+, it is one of fifteen public schools. A rich past dating back to colonial America, Pleasanton boasts. Quality colleges, coupled with proximity to employers in Silicon Valley, have made Pleasanton a family-destination city.

 

Walnut Grove School boasts a proud past, much like the town in which it thrives, one in which educational creativity has long been promoted and practiced. Walnut Grove, founded in 1966 as a radical "open-space" kindergarten, has been known for decades as a regional locus for "cutting-edge" educational practices. "the Grove" has featured innovative educational activities such as Exploration and numerous other conventional programs since its inception. Walnut Grove's educational programming has also grown with the creation of the California State Teaching Standards and the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTPs).  Starting in the 2012-2013 academic year, Walnut Grove merged its Discovery and various Traditional programs to form a hybrid educational model which incorporates the best of all programs.

 

Their vision for students goes well beyond simply achievement and parental satisfaction. It is one that takes inspiration from the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” Their mission is To include all stakeholders in the promotion of community values and achievement, including the belief that ‘school’ is a place that attends to the child’s soul as well as his/her mind. Toward that end, they offer a comprehensive array of programs, including instruction in character education, integration of music and math software, Hands Across America, GATE, EL Programs, Roots and Shoots, Ecology Club, our organic community garden, and the visual and performing arts.

 

Community partnerships flourish at the Grove. Last year they enlisted over 600 registered parent volunteers. Parents participate as tutors in a remedial reading program, in school governance as members of their School Site Council, as classroom volunteers, arts docents, organic garden purveyors, PTA officers and members or activity supervisors. They welcome their involvement and view them as full partners in the learning process. In a letter to the principal, a parent remarked, “I love how the Walnut Grove teachers see me, the parent, as a complete partner in my child’s education, at home and in the classroom!” For these, and many other reasons, we believe that Walnut Grove is a very special place!

 

Mission Statement

To capitalize on our continuous improvement process to enhance student achievement.

 

Goals

• To provide a balanced curriculum that attends to the arts, the sciences and to character development

• To promote high levels of academic achievement while meeting the needs of all learners

• To create children fit to command through the 21st century and beyond

• To create a collaborative and inclusive school culture

 

Shared Educational Beliefs

The following shared beliefs serve as a beacon for inspiring our work with students and families. With these core beliefs at the forefront of our daily teaching, the students at Walnut Grove will become outstanding contributors in our learning community.

 

They  Believe In

• Providing a safe environment that promotes trust, fairness, responsibility and respect for self and others;

• Acknowledging hard work, challenges, and successes along the path of the learning journey;

• Creating an environment that is supportive, caring and which provides creative, positive experiences that allow individuals to understand and capitalize on their potential;

• Fostering individuality while also pursuing shared goals that reflect a community centered learning atmosphere.