The mission of River Charter Schools, a leading center of educational innovation, is to grow leaders and scholars, ignite a love of learning, and equip each student with the knowledge, skills, character, and social-emotional well-being to thrive and contribute to an evolving and increasingly-connected world.
We do this through schools that:
Promote belonging for all members of our collaborative school communities
Transform teaching, learning, and operations in our continuing pursuit of excellence
Mobilize teams of talented, well-trained, adequately supported, and caring staff
Connect with volunteers, parents, and business people through partnerships and positive relationships that empower students and teachers
Practice responsible fiscal planning
Our Core Values
At River Charter Schools, we hold these core values in common:
Positive Attitude
We treat each other with empathy and compassion and assume others have good intentions in the ways they treat us.
Self-Reflection
We strive to keep improving, including practicing humility, listening actively, having a willingness to change, and expressing our feelings honestly.
Collaboration
We work as a team to communicate well, build trusting relationships, and have courageous conversations so we can achieve common goals.
Our History
The story of River Charter Schools begins with a group of concerned parents, a close-knit community, and two years of very hard work.
In 2005, River Delta Unified School District announced its plans to close Clarksburg Elementary School, which threatened to disrupt the lives of many local families and disperse students to schools in nearby cities. A group of concerned parents mobilized to take action. It took nearly two years of careful deliberation, planning, and hard work, but on Aug. 22, 2007, Delta Elementary Charter School opened its doors to 95 students and five teachers.
In imagining their ideal school, the founders carefully crafted a comprehensive charter proposal that set an ambitious roadmap for the school. For instance, the curriculum stresses the community’s relationship to agriculture and focuses on developing responsible citizens who value and respect one another’s unique backgrounds and perspectives. The school also seeks to help students become lifelong learners who embrace healthy lifestyles and are prepared for the challenges ahead.
In 2013, the DECS founders began to think bigger. Could they replicate this successful model to establish other charter schools? Because many of the students at Delta Elementary Charter School were from West Sacramento, that community seemed a perfect place to launch a second campus. In 2015, Lighthouse Charter School was born.
These two schools are connected by more than just the river that flows near each of their campuses. They have the same vision and purpose to provide an exceptional education for all.
