| Date | Who | Comments |
| 11/4/2012 | parent | This is my 4th, 3rd, and 1st grader's first year at GVA. I am so happy with the school so far. I love the parent involvement and the requirement for parents to put in at least 30 volunteer hours. I am happy with all my kid's teachers. I think this school is just the challenge my kids needed. We do not speak Spanish at home and it is exciting to see the progress they are making at school. Their English reading and writing, along with math, have improved also. I know many parents are upset with the principal for various reasons, but I am truly happy with this school overall. |
| 10/23/2012 | parent | Wow- what a concept. Came from Arrowhead, CC School and good school but not challenging enough. My daughter is in 2nd grade Spanish with a teacher from Spain, very excited about her outcome. Very friendly staff and always greeted with a smile. Glad I came to Global. |
| 9/17/2012 | parent | kids can get lost easily at this school, a lot of safety issues. Went to pick up both my kids and nowhere to be found. Thank god we found them after lokking for about 20 minutes. It was a very sad day, but i transfered them to another school and we are all a lot happier with it. When I asked the GVA staff for a withrrow form,they said they were out because they had a lot withrrows going on. That tells me that I made the right desicion by switching them. |
| 8/18/2012 | other | I am a former student going to Rangeview. I tested advanced in Math and am in 3rd year Spanish. Miss my teachers, especially MS. Hartwick and Mrs. Espinosa. |
| 8/18/2012 | parent | Not for active kids. My daughter has attended for 2 days and she does not like it. Not your average kindergarten-not-wanting-to-be-away-from-mama not liking it. She's been to preschool without a problem for years. First day report - "my teacher is mean." She didn't get a sticker. She knew it was for "being bad" but she had no idea what she did. I asked the teacher and she said that she was "moving all the time." Oh. She's 5. She came from an active preschool where the kids didn't sit at tables all day except to eat. This was being bad to them (nevermind that you should give every kindergartner a sticker ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!). I talked to her and told her that she wasn't in trouble from me (I know she doesn't like to sit still. That's just her.), but that her teacher wants her to be more still and look at her more. Her soundless splashy tears was her joyous, free spirit leaving her little body. Can they teach languages? Sure. However, I think they forget the are teaching CHILDREN. My daughter dreads going back there. I'm taking her out of this shool before it kills her love of school and learning, not to mention her spirit. Not for everyone. Listen to your child. |
| 8/18/2012 | parent | Wish I heard about this site earlier, probally would have never attended our neighborhood school, Tollgate. Program is one of kind, teachers are diverse and staff is friendly. Haven't meet the Principal (except for the information night) but probally not a bad thing. My child speaks a second language already so we are going for a 3rd. The French program seems good, will know more at the end of the year but for the first 2 weeks, prtetty good. Like the parent before wish there was bussing. |
| 8/17/2012 | parent | This is very unsafe school,my son was lost and nobody knew about it until i went to pick him up. I was looking for him all by myself and the staff there did not care at all for him or for. Had to call the police for help. After my son was found, i did not even get an apology . He is now in a safe school better than this one. |
| 6/9/2012 | parent | I like the school my son is in kinder garten there. the only thing i wish they will have school buses for the people that we live far from the school |
| 6/1/2012 | parent | My student has been attending GVA for 3 years and I keep thinking that it will get better organized but so far NOT. The lack of communication from the Admin really needs work. The teachers are GREAT! But I find that the left hand doesn t know what the right hand is doing. As for the language my child is able to speak, read, and write very well in Chinese. The teachers are willing to go the extra mile to help the students out. So for that I want to give an above average grade but in order to make it great we need to be organized. |
| 2/20/2012 | parent | Classroom instruction in Chinese is fantastic! Teachers are caring and kid-focused. My kindergartener can converse with teachers from other classrooms and has impressed numerous other native speakers in other venues. Math instruction is accelerated with 2-digit addition w/o carrying and single digit subtraction by January of kindergarten. Cannot disagree with the reports of chaos - the K-2 building is not designed to be a school and to encourage parental communication they allow parents in the building both before and after school so the negative is canceled by the positive in my book. The principal (also bilingual) is responsive when issues arise. Staff (some bi-lingual) are dedicated and truly want to be there. Parental participation in our classroom is very strong. The school has only been open 4 years and has probably grown a little faster than they should have, in hind sight. Our pediatrician was enthusiastic about my son's enrollment: second language instruction has research to support the positive impact on increased brain development. With the global economy we are watching birthed right now, who wouldn't want to prepare their child to be successful in it ?? |
| 12/5/2011 | parent | I love love love this school, this is my first year in GVA, my daughter goes to Kindergarden French she already knows how to count to 1 -30 in french, she knows between 4 to 5 songs in french, she knows her abc's in french parts of the body and she is always trying to teach me french this is a great school, the staff is super friendly and helpful especially Cinthia at the front desk, Dennises' teacher is super involved with the kids and very sweet with them, I will DEFITNELY going to enroll my child in first grade the next year. About the issues that the school have let's remember that it is a charter school and does not have the same financial support as a public school, but I'm a witness that the school is working super hard in getting the financial support by raising money for the benfits of our children, also as a Room Parent I'm extremely sad with the lack of parental involvement, so let's face the situation the problem is not the school is the lack of parental involvement a lot of parents do not want to do their VOLUNTEERING HOURS always making excuses for not doing them. We have a wonderful gift for giving our children the opportunity to learn a new language for free. |
| 10/24/2011 | parent | To the parent who claims their child will have an edge over ours because she kept her kid in a mediocre Spanish immersion program...I've got news for you..My kid has been bilingual since birth...she was fluent before she ever hit the program. So don't be so quick to assume you know what you're talking about. We don't need our children to be in a Spanish immersion program to learn the language...because we're already bilingual and can educate them as we have since birth. And, there is at least one other public Spanish immersion program in the Denver area....do your research before you make such a claim. You can ask many other parents...the Spanish immersion program lacks substantially...just look at the high turnover of teachers. We're not the only ones that feel this way and it shows in the low enrollment numbers this year. It really is too bad...the school could be doing so much better, but it's not! |
| 10/19/2011 | parent | I am a parent at GVA and I am completely satisfied with all that they have to offer. My child loves his teacher and the staff is so helpful and friendly! Everyday when my son and I go to school they greet him by name. I disagree with the parent that said that the French and Spanish are like the "red-headed step child of the school." My son is in the Spanish program and he is learning the Spanish language quite well; I am impressed with the level of dedication that his teacher has for her students. I have volunteered in the classroom several times and the teachers are always talking in Spanish as well as encouraging the students to speak in Spanish. I also really enjoyed the Smart Board in the classroom, what a cool piece of technology!! I wish that we had those when I was in school. I agree that the traffic situation is not optimal but it is what it is and every school is just as bad. I've had to pick up my nephews at a public school in Parker and it took me 20 minutes to get through the line! It is ridiculous for parents to dwell on the negative when their child is getting language immersion which is not provided in any other schools in the Denver area. |
| 9/21/2011 | parent | My son is in the French Kindergarten program. I am amazed at how much he has learned in the short time he has been there. He already knows quite a bit of french and is even trying to teach me at home. His teacher seems awsome and caring. He loves going to school, he enjoys both the before and after school program very much as well as his classroom time. Everyone know's him by name and we are always greeted when he arrives. The only reaon I did not give the school 5 stars is because of the disorganization, not all of the time but at back to school night and open houses it is very disorganized. |
| 9/17/2011 | parent | I have to agree with the disorganization, however I have to believe that this will smooth out during the upcoming months. I have a Kindergartner and he is really thriving in the environment. Already have a bully issue, but I feel it is being promptly addressed. |
| 9/16/2011 | parent | Love the Chinese language immersion program and the singapore math. This is our third year at the school and my two daughters are thriving and are both a year ahead in math. They enjoy going to school and love their teachers. |
| 8/31/2011 | parent | What a disorganized mess. Had my doubts after the chaotic new student back to school night...where the principle seemed to be MIA. I withdrew my Kindergartener within the first week. I have never seen such a barren Kindergarten class ever. Not even some letters up on the wall. Seems like most of the "specials" they say they have are actually afterschool programs that the parents pay for. Instead of building new building they should have cut enrollment to a smaller size and fix up the classrooms . |
| 2/23/2011 | parent | . I love the cultural nights, and the Science Fair has really grown this year.My daughter is taking violin. They also added dance/drama this year, so I feel she is getting a lot more than she would at the district, especially with their budget cuts--learning a second language, arts, PE, and good afterschool program.. Parking and pick up are still bad, but they were at my last school as well. GVA is building a new building for next year right behind the current one. |
| 9/7/2010 | parent | My daughter has been in the school for three years and is now scoring very high in math and language arts. The school has really grown as a community thanks to so many wonderful parents and the caring staff. As an added gift, students learn Mandarin, Spanish or French. My husband and I definitely reccommend it to any parent who wants something different from the traditional school setting. |
| 8/27/2010 | other | The language immersion is a great concept here, the Singapore math is great too, unfortunately they are lacking in science and technology. The atmosphere does not feel warm and welcoming. |
| 8/13/2010 | parent | worst parking for drop off and pick up ever. My daughters a kindergartner at this school and they did not give her, her lunch...they told her to hold on and never gave to her. I paid for the full month. This is not right letting a 5 year old starve like that. Called the school, but they just make excuses..tried to call again but cannot contact them. I am soooo angry. |
| 5/26/2010 | parent | The concept of GVA is amazing. This is NOT the place to send your child if he has even mild learning disabilities or behavioral issues as they are completely ill equipped to manage those. Their need to find teachers fluent in another language means some lack teaching experience or have experience in a completely different age group. Thus they struggled with the basics of classroom management. The teachers are caring people, but often overwhelmed. This school is extremely noisy and chaotic. I fear they are seeking additional charters before they have perfected the model to be able to include all children. Within a month at a public school, my son's issues were understood and a plan was put in place and he was completely successful at school which he never would have been at GVA. Do not send your child here if he needs extra attention. |
| 3/1/2010 | parent | Excellent education at GVA! In response to the last poster, 'GVA cleans employees clean their bathrooms as frequently as possible'. 'I challenge you to find a school where bathrooms are perfectly clean 100% of the time.' |
| 2/27/2010 | parent | The 2 teachers we have had have been excellent. Janitorial services are BADLY needed as the restrooms are disgusting at any hour of the day. The restrooms are visible in the lobby and all staff sees this problem but does nothing. Papertowels strewn on floors, toilets overflowing and toilet seats dirty. If you concentrate solely on the education your child recieves than this is truly a great school if you can overlook the messiness. It seems to always be improving. |
| 1/27/2010 | parent | This school has great teachers who are committed to an excellent learning environment. Smart boards in every classroom provide engaging and interactive lessons. They are truly providing for a global future for my child. |
| 11/13/2009 | parent | Very happy with this school, teachers and parents. In first grade our child is speaking 2 languages and math skills are above average. I am looking forward to the next 7 year at GVA. |
| 9/21/2009 | parent | GVA recently received a $1.4 U.S. Department of Education grant...endorsing the school as a leader in immersion. My daughter loves the Chinese program. Great art program as well...violin, dance and arts! school has it all. |
| 6/3/2009 | parent | Though the school is struggling to be at full-service (with bussing, school lunch, playground), it has already engaged my daughter far more than the local public school. |
| 5/21/2009 | parent | Outstanding leadership. Taking the right steps to make this a top notch school. Teachers are outstanding. Facilities are limited.....a kitchen would help immensely. Immersion program works very well. |
| 2/3/2009 | parent | Love this school. Ideals are high..International baccalaureate and immersion. It is new school with some challenges but overall I am very pleased. More parent involvemnet is needed. Currently very few parents do most of the volunteering. Great teachers. |
| 1/28/2009 | parent | Only the 2nd year school is open - getting better with each year. Immersion prgram working and policies changing wtih time - will go from a good to great school soon enough. |
| 5/23/2008 | parent | The school will get better and some day maybe bullying won't be tolerated, the immersion program will actually be a n immersion program and it will be a 'College prep' school. For now it's an elementary school that 's slowly moving forward but can't really be described as haing any of those attributes. |
| 4/25/2008 | parent | Good Language immersion program, college preparation. Bullying is not tolerated. Good school for just being open 1 year! |
