Frequently Asked Questions
What is in independent charter?
We are a public school of choice that is chartered under Petaluma City Schools. As an independent charter we have our own Board of Directors made up of parent volunteers who are responsible for school policies and fiscal oversight. Our school office also functions as a district office, and our Executive Director is also the Principal. Charter schools were developed to encourage educators to try different approaches in the public sector. We operate as a non-profit and our Waldorf informed mission is renewed every 5 years.
Who is eligible to attend?
Anyone residing in the state of California! There are preferences given depending on your address per the California Education Code Section 47605(d)(2)(B). You can find more information on our How to Apply page.
Do you charge tuition?
No, charter schools receive funding from the state of California. This does not completely cover the level of education we offer, so it's supplemented by the Live Oak Charter School Foundation's fundraising efforts. You can learn more about that here.
What kind of curriculum do you offer?
We integrate the Common Core State Standards with the core principles of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, merging the latest understanding of human development (including neurological understanding) with a slower paced course of teaching that mirrors human developmental stages. Internationally, this is a much more common model than we have in the United States. More information can be found on the Curriculum and What is Waldorf pages.
What School Calendar do you follow?
Live Oak follows a traditional School Academic Calendar. We understand that families may have children at different schools so we strive to follow the Petaluma City School's calendar as best we can. Generally speaking, Live Oak begins school in mid August and ends around the first week of June. Please note, Live Oak has a minimum day for all students on Thursdays (school ends 12:40). See our school calendar.
Do you have Aftercare?
Yes! You can find more information here.
What is your Immunization policy?
Live Oak Charter follows California state law which requires all children to receive a course of immunizations to attend school or day care in California. Immunization records must be submitted for all students during registration. If immunization records are not current, updated, and submitted to the school site by the first day of school, students will not be allowed to attend school. Personal Belief Exemptions are no longer accepted per SB277. For required vaccines, visit HERE.
What is a looping teacher model?
Looping is when a teacher advances with the students to a higher grade. At Live Oak, our model is TK/K, 1st-3rd, 4th-5th, 6th-8th (though there is a lot of crossover between teachers in the Middle School, the main teacher is the same.) The benefits of looping include:
What is the personal electronic device policy?
We recognize that many students carry cell phones, smart watches or other electronic devices and need access to them before and after school to communicate with family members or caregivers. In order to provide the best possible learning environment, students will keep all devices powered off and in their backpack throughout the school day. Approved medical needs will be an exception.
We are a public school of choice that is chartered under Petaluma City Schools. As an independent charter we have our own Board of Directors made up of parent volunteers who are responsible for school policies and fiscal oversight. Our school office also functions as a district office, and our Executive Director is also the Principal. Charter schools were developed to encourage educators to try different approaches in the public sector. We operate as a non-profit and our Waldorf informed mission is renewed every 5 years.
Who is eligible to attend?
Anyone residing in the state of California! There are preferences given depending on your address per the California Education Code Section 47605(d)(2)(B). You can find more information on our How to Apply page.
Do you charge tuition?
No, charter schools receive funding from the state of California. This does not completely cover the level of education we offer, so it's supplemented by the Live Oak Charter School Foundation's fundraising efforts. You can learn more about that here.
What kind of curriculum do you offer?
We integrate the Common Core State Standards with the core principles of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, merging the latest understanding of human development (including neurological understanding) with a slower paced course of teaching that mirrors human developmental stages. Internationally, this is a much more common model than we have in the United States. More information can be found on the Curriculum and What is Waldorf pages.
What School Calendar do you follow?
Live Oak follows a traditional School Academic Calendar. We understand that families may have children at different schools so we strive to follow the Petaluma City School's calendar as best we can. Generally speaking, Live Oak begins school in mid August and ends around the first week of June. Please note, Live Oak has a minimum day for all students on Thursdays (school ends 12:40). See our school calendar.
Do you have Aftercare?
Yes! You can find more information here.
What is your Immunization policy?
Live Oak Charter follows California state law which requires all children to receive a course of immunizations to attend school or day care in California. Immunization records must be submitted for all students during registration. If immunization records are not current, updated, and submitted to the school site by the first day of school, students will not be allowed to attend school. Personal Belief Exemptions are no longer accepted per SB277. For required vaccines, visit HERE.
- Students entering TK-Kindergarten must be fully immunized according to State requirements.
- Students entering 7th grade must have proof of DTAP (1), ChickenPox (2), Polio (3), MMR (2)
What is a looping teacher model?
Looping is when a teacher advances with the students to a higher grade. At Live Oak, our model is TK/K, 1st-3rd, 4th-5th, 6th-8th (though there is a lot of crossover between teachers in the Middle School, the main teacher is the same.) The benefits of looping include:
- Improved relationship between teachers and students
- More efficient instruction as the time for getting acquainted is eliminated after the first year
- Reduced apprehension about the new school year
- Comfort with speaking to adults; we hear from high school teachers that they can always recognize a Waldorf student because they have no qualms about engaging with them!
- Strong teacher/parent relationships
- Read this article in the New York Times about the benefits of teacher looping: What Most American Schools Do Wrong (Oct 2023). Also, another article in US NEWS: The Benefits of Teacher Looping (Feb 2023)
What is the personal electronic device policy?
We recognize that many students carry cell phones, smart watches or other electronic devices and need access to them before and after school to communicate with family members or caregivers. In order to provide the best possible learning environment, students will keep all devices powered off and in their backpack throughout the school day. Approved medical needs will be an exception.
How does Live Oak perform on CA State Testing - CAASSP?
Live Oak Charter students from 3rd - 8th grade participate in annual state testing every spring. (More info on CAASSP testing.) Here was our last report:
From US News/Education: At Live Oak Charter, 57% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 67% scored at or above that level for reading. Compared with the district, the school did about the same in math and about the same in reading, according to this metric. In Live Oak Charter District, 67% of students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 57% tested at or above that level for math. Live Oak Charter did better in math and better in reading in this metric compared with students across the state. In California, 47% of students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 39% tested at or above that level for math. School information is provided by the government. See USNews |
How can I apply?
Please visit our Enrollment page.
If you have additional questions contact the Enrollment Coordinator
Please visit our Enrollment page.
If you have additional questions contact the Enrollment Coordinator