North Valley Schools
North Valley Schools provides non-public special education services to children with serious emotional, behavioral and educational needs. With a history exceeding 30 years, NVS has demonstrated a track record of superior success. We are certified by the California Department of Education and three of our schools are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Our non-public schools serve youth who are living in residential treatment as well as youth who are living in family settings in the community. All North Valley School students are placed as a result of experiencing serious educational challenges and/or multiple school failures in lower levels of educational service. The school's purpose is to provide an education that promotes independence, understanding, and personal responsibility for each student. North Valley Schools provides these services to both boys and girls who have primary handicapping conditions of Emotional Disturbance (ED), Specific Learning Disability (SLD), Autism (AUT), Multiple Disability (MD), Other Health Impairment (OHI), Mental Retardation Mild/Moderate (MR), and Speech or Language Impairment (SL). Services are provided to students Kindergarten through 12th grades.
The specific academic needs of each student are addressed through the Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) process, with strong emphasis placed on the child's academic achievement, vocational readiness, positive school experiences, and quality of life. Students are referred to North Valley Schools by Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA's) or by the local County Office of Education.
North Valley Schools utilizes standard based, comprehensive curriculum, which enables students to benefit from a wide variety of learning experiences while also developing their classroom skills and enhancing their social growth. With an average of one staff person per four youth, we focus intently on each child's educational goals while simultaneously addressing the behavioral and mental health concerns which are impacting their ability to learn. Designated instructional services include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, behavior intervention plan development and implementation, temporary support aide and day treatment intensive mental health services. In conjunction with these services, all North Valley School sites provide pre-vocational, vocational, and independent living skills curriculum and programming. Students may also participate in the school's WorkAbility Program, providing paid work experience opportunities within the community. Extra-curricular activities include sports teams, creative arts, performing arts, music programs, social activities, and recognition events.
North Valley Schools offers both regular and extended year schedules, providing up to 360 instructional minutes per day. Students are referred by the Local Education Agency (LEA) or the local County Office of Education responsible for providing free and appropriate public education to the student. Placement of students into NVS is an IEP team decision. Currently, students must fulfill the local education agency's board adopted requirements to complete high school with a diploma, certificate of completion, or other board approved certificate. The NVS Board of Directors has adopted requirements for students to receive a private school diploma, certificate of completion, or completion of personal program certificate.
Our "laser focus" is to address the educational needs of children by focusing simultaneously on their academic and behavioral growth areas while building on their strengths and gifts. We measure our success by our ability to help children return to public schools settings. Embedded throughout Victor is the philosophy and expectation that it is through rich and meaningful relationships that change and learning occur. Our educational and behavioral expertise as well as our low staff to student ratio allows us to facilitate great educational gains. At North Valley Schools, students have the opportunity to discover their own natural talents and strengths and then apply these to their academic endeavors.
At each NVS site, educational programming includes various innovative approaches. We utilize a wide variety of activity-based learning opportunities, such as Equine, Animal Husbandry, Ceramics, Agriculture, Performing Arts, Music, Community Volunteerism, Mechanics, Sports and Leisure, and Work Experience. Within these activity-based learning programs, the North Valley School's educational staff demonstrates their high level of commitment to each student and their academic, social, and behavioral success. It is the North Valley School's expectation that all of the youth placed in our schools can and will be successful moving forward to greater and greater levels of academic achievement and overall well-being.
