Great Valley Academy - Salida

Great Valley Academy - Salida is a public charter school in Modesto, California, that serves 880 students in grades K–8. It is located in a rural area on the edge of the city. The school has 26 students for every teacher, which is the same as the district average. It also has 34 full-time teachers and one full-time school counselor. There are a lot of different types of students at the school. 55.5% are Hispanic or Latino, 29.8% are White, and 7.3% are from two or more races. There are almost as many girls (49%) as boys (51%) in the school, and 32% of the students are from low-income families. According to data from 2025, half of the students who took the test read at or above the proficient level, and 29% did the same in math. The school's budget for the 2024–2025 school year includes about $13.5 million in planned spending. Great Valley Academy - Salida is known for its "Great Valley Smart" approach, which uses neuroscience and visual learning techniques to help students reach their full potential. Character development, mastery learning, and "looping," where students stay with the same teacher for two years, are all important to the school.

Great Valley Academy - Salida in Modesto, California, is moving forward with its plans to grow! The school will get a new grass athletic field, a paved parking lot with 332 spaces, and four new classrooms. This will allow for up to 100 more students, bringing the total number of students to 950. This growth shows that the school is dedicated to giving students a safe place to grow and learn.

The school's emphasis on character development, kindness, and academic excellence is truly inspiring. It is a public charter school with small class sizes and no tuition. Parents are very happy with how the school focuses on building character and mastering subjects, which makes the school a great place to be.

Q1. How do you meet the needs of each student?

Ans. Teachers give each student personalized instruction and access to support programs that work for different learning styles. This method makes sure that each student gets the help they need to do well.

Q2. Does the school put a lot of emphasis on social and emotional learning?

Ans. Yes, lessons every day include empathy, social skills, teamwork, and understanding other people's feelings. These lessons help kids make friends and behave well.

Q3. What does the school do to get people involved in the community?

Ans. Families are encouraged to go to school events, volunteer, and do things that are cultural. This participation makes the school community stronger.

Q4. What is the main purpose of Great Valley Academy—Salida?

Ans. The school helps students who want to learn more by teaching them how to think critically and creatively solve problems.

Q5. Are there activities outside of school?

Ans. Yes, students can join STEM clubs, arts and crafts activities, and leadership programs that help them learn outside of school.