Riverstone and Golden Valley Unified Partner for Academic Excellence

September 25, 2016

Madera, CA - In addition to stylish new homes, inviting neighborhood parks, miles of hiking and biking trails and an array of family-friendly amenities, the new master-planned community of Riverstone will offer the one thing parents seem to desire most: a top-notch education for their children.   

In addition to outstanding academics, Liberty High School is also known for its strong athletics program. Pictured here are members of the women’s Cross Country team. From left to right are Sophia Napier, Matison McCombs and Brianna Burgess.
The 1:1 Technology Program was recently rolled out to 7th and 8th grade students at Ranchos Middle School. Utilizing Chromebooks, the program empowers teachers to create exciting interactive lessons for a high level of student engagement.

Riverstone’s planned on-site schools will belong to the Golden Valley Unified School District, an award-winning district known for academic and sports excellence as well as technological innovation. The district comprises nine schools serving nearly 2,000 students, and has had its share of success and accolades. The district’s Liberty High School, for instance, boasts a graduation rate of 96.18%, which is the highest graduation rate in the region. Golden Valley Unified also maintains an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 24:1, and was named a Silver Award recipient for Best High Schools from U.S. News & World Report.

“We’re extremely fortunate to be served by Golden Valley Unified and greatly value our relationship with the district’s teachers, coaches, students and parents,” said Riverstone’s Tim Jones. “I’ve always believed few things in life are more important than providing our next generation with a solid, well-rounded education. That’s exactly what’s in store for the families who decide to call Riverstone home.”

Liberty High School, named a California Distinguished School for 2009, offers nine Advanced Placement classes, and 85% of its students are involved in extra or co-curricular activities. With the one-to-one mobile device program currently available for the school’s 9th to 12th graders—as well as 7th and 8th graders at Ranchos Middle School—students utilize cutting-edge 10.1 Samsung Note Tablets and Chromebooks both in the classroom and at home, giving teachers the ability to make learning more immersive and participatory.

“I’m very excited to offer 1:1 instruction utilizing Chromebooks in our classroom which better prepares students for college and career fields,” said Ranchos Middle School teacher, Josh Clarke. “Students literally cannot wait to get into class and start working on their assignments! I’m able to differentiate my instruction, so students who don't understand the content initially have the opportunity to go back and review a video or interactive lesson to gain a better understanding of the material.” 

Added teacher Lisa Davis, “It’s about giving our students the content, skills and tools so they can achieve more than we could ever imagine.”

An exemplary school committed to motivating all students to become academic achievers, Ranchos Middle School has garnered the California Distinguished School accolade, and the Math and English proficiency of its students rank especially high in the state.

Other Golden Valley Unified standouts include Webster Elementary and Sierra View Elementary, two schools that have both garnered California Distinguished School honors. Both schools run award-winning reading labs in which all students are assessed three times a year to ensure reading growth. If a student becomes “at risk”, they attend the on-campus reading lab for 30 minutes a day every day of the week—with curriculum and instruction matched to students’ needs. Each lab employs well-trained paraprofessionals and a reading specialist to assess, instruct, motivate and monitor the students. 

A strong athletics program is synonymous with Liberty High School, with league, division and valley championships in various sports—and quickly growing Cross Country and Track-and-Field teams.

“I’m so excited to be part of the Cross Country team,” said Matison McCombs. “The women’s team has medaled in every race we’ve entered! My times are improving every week leading up to our big trips to Pacific Grove and Mt. SAC in Los Angeles. It’s going to be a great year!”

Liberty High’s FFA Team fared very well at Madera Fair; all the animals made weight and were market ready. In Dairy, Goat, Sheep and Swine competitions, the students took home a total of 21 awards, including five 1st Place trophies.

Situated in the heart of the region’s path of growth, Riverstone—when complete—will total approximately 6,578 single-family, attached and multi-family homes, as well as commercial and mixed-use space including office, service and retail. Amenities at Riverstone are anticipated to include walkable neighborhoods, parks and open space, multiple resort-style community clubhouses, hiking and biking trails, a dog park, a community farm, historic olive and citrus groves, on-site schools, a sustainable water supply and a nearby stretch of the San Joaquin River and adjacent lake.

Riverstone’s inaugural collection of new homes from local, award-winning homebuilder, McCaffrey Homes, is currently under construction. The model homes from McCaffrey are anticipated to open late 2016. Riverstone’s second homebuilder, Lennar, is also currently under construction. Interested homebuyers are encouraged to add their name to the Interest List at www.RiverstoneCA.com.    




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