Moving to Palm Springs in 2020 as an LGBTQ family was both exciting and honestly terrifying as parents. Like every parent, we simply wanted our son to feel safe, supported, challenged academically, and excited about his future. Unfortunately, our early experiences within the public school system in this area were deeply disappointing. There was bullying, a lack of meaningful support, and moments where we truly felt our child was not being protected or seen in the ways he deserved. Finding Palm Valley School changed everything for our family. From the moment we arrived, we felt warmth, professionalism, inclusion, and genuine care not just from the faculty and administration, but from the other families and students as well. Palm Valley doesn't just educate children. They help them thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and creatively. The teachers here are exceptional. The electives and extracurricular programs are incredibly impressive and genuinely future-focused. Whether your child is interested in the arts, leadership, academics, athletics, technology, or community involvement, there are opportunities everywhere. The school creates pathways that truly prepare students for universities, scholarships, and successful futures while still allowing kids to actually enjoy learning. One of the biggest differences we noticed was that learning here feels alive. Our son comes home excited about projects, field trips, discussions, and experiences almost daily. There's a practical, hands-on approach that has helped him grow in confidence and maturity in ways that honestly continue to amaze us. Since enrolling at Palm Valley, our son has absolutely thrived through grades 7, 8, and now 9, and we genuinely look forward to continuing his educational journey here all the way through graduation. No school is perfect, and like every school navigating today's world, Palm Valley has faced challenges. What impressed us most was how professionally and compassionately the board and faculty handled difficult moments. You can genuinely feel that they care deeply about these students and families. Their response during challenging times did not weaken the school community. If anything, it strengthened it. There is resilience, accountability, kindness, and heart here, and it is obvious the students are benefiting from being part of a community that chooses growth and compassion over division. As LGBTQ parents, we cannot overstate what this school has meant to our family. Feeling safe matters. Feeling represented matters. Feeling protected matters. And feeling welcomed without explanation or judgment matters more than people realize. If you are an LGBTQ family considering schools in this area, our advice is simple: do not waste time second-guessing this decision. Learn from our experience. If Palm Valley is a feasible option for your family, enroll your child. And truthfully, this recommendation is not only for LGBTQ families. It is for any family looking for a school that genuinely sees children, supports them, challenges them, protects them, and helps them become excited about who they are and who they are capable of becoming. Palm Valley has been life-changing for our family, and we will always be grateful for that. read more

Palm Valley School - Palm Valley School - Elementary Schools Near Me - Rancho Mirage, California

My son has attended Palm Valley School since 5th grade. He is now completing 9th grade and he is so happy with the school! He plays every sport because it is a small school and all the kids join in. Many of the teachers attend the sports events to show support for their students. It's is such a great feeling to know that your child feels totally supported by their school and their teachers. He has really grown and matured as a student in this remarkable environment and he adores the teaching staff. We could not be happier with our experience at Palm Valley School and we find it to be worth every penny. We have toured other schools in the area both for grammar school and high school and there is no other option in our opinion. Having relocated temporarily during the pandemic and we thought we might stay for one year but we decided to relocate our family from Marina del Rey solely because our son is so happy and thriving academically of Palm Valley School. Yes, we left the beach because nothing is better than a happy thriving kid!! This school would be 50k in the Los Angeles area and the class sizes would be far larger. Additionally, the families at PVS are down to earth and the PVS community in general is very warm and welcoming. We plan on staying until our son graduates. My only regret is that he did not start at Palm Valley School in kindergarten. PVS may be the best parenting decision we have made thus far. read more

Truly the greatest gift we could have hoped for in terms of schools! The teachers are wonderful, and the class sizes are perfect. I love that I have an opportunity to volunteer within the classroom, and that they have a very active community of parents. I served as a room parent this year, and was thrilled with just how involved the parents in our grade level have been!! It's been such a treat! We love Family Game Night. We love the Fall Festival. The Parent Association hosts several "Meet and Mingle" gatherings throughout the year. It is SO easy to get involved here. Overall, it's a very welcoming vibe! It really makes our school feel like a family. read more

With both a kindergartener and a preschooler there, we've had an incredibly positive experience. Since transferring, our daughter now looks forward to school every day and comes home happy, engaged, and excited to learn. The small class sizes create a personalized, engaging learning environment, and the curriculum is both challenging and fun. We also appreciate the strong sense of community--supportive parents, kind children, and teachers who truly help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. The biggest change we've seen is in our daughter's confidence. She's gone from shy and reserved to expressive, curious, and eager to share her ideas. We're very grateful to be part of this community and excited to watch both of our children continue to thrive here. read more

Palm Valley has been an incredible school for my son. The small class sizes (with a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio) truly make a difference--each child receives individualized attention and support, which helps them thrive both academically and emotionally. The teachers are exceptional and genuinely care about their students. My son feels welcomed, valued, and loved every day, and it shows--he never wants to miss school and has built wonderful friendships. I also appreciate the well-rounded curriculum. Students begin Spanish as early as kindergarten and have access to enriching specialty classes like technology and dance, which adds so much to their overall learning experience. Beyond academics, there's a strong sense of community. The parents, teachers, and faculty all care deeply about the school and work together to create a positive, supportive environment where students can truly excel. We love palm valley. It's also the only non religious private school in the Coachella valley and that was something important for our family as well. read more

We feel so lucky to have found this school! the teachers are unbelievable, snd the campus is safe. The parents we've met are also so committed to academics and opportunities for the kids, and keeping PVS a great place to learn. read more

This school is full of fabulous teachers, a strong community, and has the most beautiful campus in the valley. It is a college prep school, but they don't just focus on academics (though they are incredibly strong there). They incorporate public speaking and social emotional learning at all grade levels, plus project based learning as the kids get older. read more

We have two kids at PVS and they love going to school and are thriving. The teachers truly care about the students in both the lower and middle school and the curriculum is challenging and keeps them engaged. Highly recommended it. read more

Both of our children have been at this school for four years, from preschool through middle school, and we couldn't be happier. The teachers truly care about the kids and support their growth both academically and personally. The small school atmosphere makes it feel safe, welcoming, and close-knit, and the parent community is warm and friendly. Academics are strong and balanced with a focus on whole-child wellness, which has helped our kids thrive. We're so grateful to be part of this community! read more

My two daughters have attended Palm Valley School for 5 years, now in 8th and 11th grade. The support from faculty, staff, and the entire PVS community creates an environment that has motivated my girls to learn, try new activities and clubs, be curious, have their voices be heard, and enjoy academics. The parent community was incredibly welcoming, as were the kids, when we first started. The teachers get to know the students learning style and work to encourage them to reach their full potential. read more

My son attended Palm Valley School for his tenth-grade year in 2023/24. Overall, it was a mistake sending him here. The upper school administrative staff that we met with in June was different from what we saw when we arrived in August. The school seems to have a very difficult time retaining qualified staff. The Upper school principal we met with in June was very engaging, knowledgeable, and professional. Between June and August, he must have left because when school started there was no upper school principal, and the middle school principal was pushed into that position. Unlike his predecessor the new upper school principal was awkward, unprofessional, unknowledgeable, aggressive, and uncommunicative. Our son lost so much academics during his time at PVS. The marketing speech for the school when we visited in June focused on a philosophy of learning that didn't push homework they said all work was done in school with the teachers. This was not true. English for one was a class where the teacher just bombarded the kids with assignments and offered little or no help. This even though they have some of the smallest teacher-to-student ratios in the valley. I got the sense that some of the teachers were at PVS because they couldn't make it at larger schools. Having said that there were some good teachers, history, music, and athletics had strong professionals who showed true education leadership and caring with students. They often pushed to meet a student at their level and helped them succeed. Unfortunately, they were a minority. The school offers no additional support to students. Our request for some extra tutoring was denied by the upper school principal and the head of school just generally ignored our emails instead spending his time dressed as a clown and waving at kids as they arrived to school. We attempted several times to engage with the head of school but he was unavailable and uninterested. In my opinion, he is not an effective leader or an advocate for education. We attempted to appeal to him as a leader in education, but he showed no compassion or interest in helping our son succeed. In one disturbing incident where our son was bullied due to a disability, both the upper school principal and the head of school refused to investigate or deal with the bullying. Students were often targeted and threatened by the Upper School principal. The environment of the high school has both positives and negatives. The campus is beautiful and the students are generally nice kids with a positive and caring attitude. I wonder if the school has financial issues because the kids complained of a lack of heat/cooling in the classrooms and some of the equipment was in poor condition. Our son's tenth grade only had 4 or 5 students and I believe the high school only had about 40 so they are having a problem filling their rosters. Having such a small student body and not enough staff did have an impact, for example, kids were not permitted to go the gym during downtime and would often be disciplined for just working out. Also, the school tries to enroll kids in virtual learning through other online schools because they don't have enough classes to fill student's days. I also believe the school has a drug problem that the administration and staff just don't know how to manage or are simply unaware. When I asked about how they deal with the epidemic of vaping in our schools they just gave me a blank stare and said we don't have that problem here. We saw evidence that there is an issue there. Be cautious about enrolling your child in PVS. I cannot speak to the lower grades but I do not recommend the high school. A media search of Palm Valley School does show some negative press and it would seem many families have experienced a lack of leadership at the school. With the right leaders and some additional teachers who are passionate about learning this could be a great school. With a leader who prefers to dress as a clown rather than get involved with real education issues there is likely no hope. read more

Is NOT a College Prep High School. Payed $13K a semester at Palm Valley. Turns out not all course are on site. The student needed a science course. Their solution was to put him in an online course. The rest of the classes, are not valid for college either. The Administrators never communicated, online courses as part of their program. In that case why should I pay $13K when I could have the student at home on online. It is a breach of contract, find it dishonest. Only few high school students, making the environment depressing. Most of the kids, after graduating are heading to a Community college. I can see why...most of the students are NOT College Prep ready (units completed under CP classes) to be Accepted. Watch Out, you don't get a REFUND, once you sign the contract. They make you pay. Xavier Prep School is a Stanford caliber school. read more

My three youngest sons, all five year-olds, are currently attending Palm Valley School. We moved to the desert from Orange County last summer; prior to the move, I spent a lot of time researching every school in the valley (I'll save you the effort). My gut said Palm Valley School, so scheduled a visit. The first person I met was Abby Sturgeon, Director of Admissions. Absolutely wonderful person! Abby stayed late after our meeting to answer questions, and gave me a tour of the Transitional Kindergarten building and classrooms. During my meeting with Abby, Dr. Steve Sherman, Palm Valley Head of School, came in to say hi. Another wonderful person! I left that afternoon certain this is where I want my kids to learn. A few days later, I was back at Palm Valley filling out all the admissions paperwork for my three little boys. As a single dad, my kids are with me almost all the time when not in school. They joined me this time as well. It was a bit overwhelming filling out paperwork with three curious and active little guys bouncing around me. I was going to take it home, but before I had a chance to pack up, in walks Dr. Steve Sherman. Steve, instead of assisting me out the door, voluntarily took my kids for an impromptu puppet show, raced them in the halls of the empty building, and entertained them in a way that would have made Mary Poppins jealous. I was able to complete the remaining paperwork without distraction. Over this past year I have gotten to know Steve much better. He is often out in the front entry driveway greeting vehicles in the morning, many times with costumes coinciding with holidays. Steve is almost always outside the school buildings saying goodbye to the kids and parents in the afternoon as well. He is a super high-character guy who truly cares about every student at his school... and apparently builds elaborate five-star treehouses for his grandkids in his spare time. My sons originally started transitional kindergarten this past August. First day... met more amazing staff and teachers!... Becky Chaffins (Assistant Director of Preschool/ Lead Teacher) and Kaira Beach (Head of Preschool). Class sizes of about 12 students. Lots of love and a passion for teaching is what you can expect from Becky and Kaira. My little guys ran into their classroom every day without looking back. They left school each day excitedly talking over each other about what they had learned. By October, my three sons were doing well enough to be moved up to kindergarten, at age four. Could it get any better?... apparently, yes. Now I have the pleasure of meeting Francene Fisher (Head of Lower School), Jeanne Anguiano (Lower School Operations), and Annette Van Vliet (Kindergarten Teacher). If there is a better group of people to leave my kids with, I'm yet to meet them. Class size again is about 12 students. My three sons and their classmates bonded quickly, and I mean all their classmates. They love each other. My kids write beautiful notes and draw pictures for other students and Annette many evenings after we get home, so they can bring them the following day. They run to other students at drop off to hold hands as they walk to class. The parents are great too. We meet at the zoo, meet for birthdays, and do play dates often. I have never seen or heard of a school that has an environment like this. I'm grateful every day they are at Palm Valley, especially during these critical early years of learning. Now, academics. My kids just turned five, and they are reading, writing, understand concepts of time, measurement, estimation, math, speak rudimentary Spanish, know basic sign language, sing songs they learn in music class, practice art using depth perception, count in the thousands, etc, etc, etc. The person primarily responsible: Annette Van Vliet. Annette has been teaching kindergarten at Palm Valley School for nearly 20 years, and inspires a deep passion for learning in such a kind and loving way. My kids are confident in their abilities and, most importantly, have a strong foundation for the future. I could never thank Annette enough for everything she has done for my kids. Usually, I try to balance out an evaluation with pros and cons. This is a rare instance where I cannot think of one thing I would change about Palm Valley School. Sending my kids to Palm Valley is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I have an 18 year-old son as well who went through private schools in Orange County, from pre-K through high school. All stellar schools. Yet, did not understand how exceptional a school could be until this past year. read more

Our son just finished his first year at Palm Valley and we just re-enrolled him for the next year. My wife and I love the education, care, and attention our son gets from the teachers and other staff. The school is very organized and structured, plenty of family events as well. Since our son started going here he has been very polite to others, his vocabulary is outstanding. We also love the buddy system , each pre-school student gets an older student from the school that escorts them to events such as assemblies, our son thinks its the coolest thing to hang out with older students. Very secure campus, plenty of space for kids to play, classrooms are very tidy and organized, and the teachers give plenty of attention to each and every student. read more

Like most parents, I strive for the best for my child. It's not easy picking a school, but after the school year has started I know I've made the absolute right choice for our family. Not only am I honored to be a Palm Valley parent, I'm extremely proud!!!!! The administration is very welcoming, accommodating, and open to hear my voice and anything I've had to say. I feel comfortable to discuss what I feel is important, whether it be my with my child's teacher or the wonderful head of school Mrs. Rice. I've been treated with great respect and nothing less!! I believe in this incredible school and align myself with the way its ran 100%. Mrs. Rice is the leader that Palm Valley needs and I'm confident that she makes the best decisions for our school. Her devotion is truly pure and the love she has for Palm Valley is undeniable!  Our school wouldn't be what it is today, without her. A big thanks to the whole administration working together to give our children the best!! My child has blossomed more than ever since attending Palm Valley, and I know its because of the devotion and compassion this school is made of. My child's teachers have made an impact on my child's life as they continue to grow and learn and I am forever grateful for that!! Palm Valley is an exceptional school that has far exceeded my expectations. From the kind Teachers such as; Mrs. Traub, Ms Garza & Ms Perez, awesome Directors like Mr. Klausz , and Wonderful Head of School Mrs. Rice - everyone has been easy to talk to and share input with. The community here is Real and it feels like Family!! Cheers to many more years!! read more

My children have attended Palm Valley school for 5 years. The education they receive there is the best one could ask for in the desert. Both the staff and all of the families there are so welcoming and caring, everyone knows each other; it is truly a tight knit community. My children get PE everyday and have art classes, music, and now even spanish weekly! We have a fantastic new head of school as well. read more

Palm Valley used to be a great school. Everything changed since 2015 after the era of the new principal. If you want to know more about how the head of school is running the business see this article: https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/education/2018/10/18/palm-valley-school-parent-complaints-end-student-expulsions/550826002/ This is what happens to kids whose parents dare to criticize or question the head of school. She rules the school with absolute power exactly like a dictator. This is not something that we should see in the 21st century and in America. Edit: I actually have firsthand experience with the head of school. My son, Ryan, who was in Palm Valley since kindergarten got expelled from school last March with no fault of his own. My son started school in Palm Valley when he was 5, he actually grew up in this school. He had all his friends in the school and in March this year while he was in 6th grade, he was expelled by the head of school. It was a very difficult time for him to adjust. He couldn't understand why he- who has not done anything wrong should be punished. I still don't know how a person calling herself principal who is supposed to care for the kids and actually shape their trust towards authority can do such a thing to a kid. I posted this review because I want parents to make an informed decision before they sign up their kid for this school and under the supervision of the new administration. read more

I attended PVS for K-8, roughly relating to 1987-1995. My older sister also attended during the same time. I doubt that very many of the faculty from my era remain but the school has a tradition of attracting and retaining quality teachers. Accordingly, I am confident that the overall experience is roughly the same. From what I understand the school has merged with another school thus increasing its size. This is a good development because when I was there, I can remember one year that the high school graduating class consisted of one person and she was the then principal's daughter. How is that for small? While I doubt that I will ever have the opportunity to send my kids here, given the chance I would definitely do so. The friends that I made here are friends to this day and I attribute this fact to the smallness, consistency, and quality of this fantastic school. Finally, if you are still not convinced that this is a great school, how many other Coachella Valley schools can claim that Paris Hilton was a prior student? The proof is in the pudding. read more

The Toddler Program is incredible!!! My son has been in the program for approximately 2 months and he is already doing so well! He has learned baby sign language and is already communicating with me! He even tells us "Agua" when he wants water! Mrs. Traub, Ms. Nuno, and the Director Mr. Klausz are absolutely fabulous! They have worked with us in setting goals for my son ( such as limiting bottle and Pacifier ) and have even set up a plan for potty training! I couldn't have asked for a better school for my son! Thank you for all the love you show! read more

In my 13 years as a member of the Palm Valley School community where my younger two children went, 9 of those years were under the leadership of Mr. Vince Downey and were fantastic years. During that time I can recall one student being expelled for possession of a knife and threatening another child. The child actually did something wrong. In the past two years, we have been under the leadership of Susan Rice- who I consider to be an egomaniacal dictator. She has expelled many innocent young students because their parents had questions regarding grades, mass exodus of teachers mid year or other such concerns that she didn't want to answer or deal with. Mind you, the parents pay a lot of money and should be able to question anything, especially with regard to education, grades, teacher turnover, meals, etc Last week, We dodged a bullet and preemptively withdrew Our son knowing he would be the next victim of her expulsion. He is a straight A student with not a negative mark on his record and lived by teachers and peers. In her usual MO, as she has done with previous parents, she sent us an email stating that we need to meet with her in her office immediately or the outcome would affect Sid. It was a veiled threat. Well, we did our research and found out from several sources what exactly transpires in her Little Chamber of Secrets. Her email was prompted by recent concerns I had regarding her leadership and the loss of many faculty and students under her regime. Even after we withdrew Sid she sent me an epic email which now directied the threats at me. Today I learned that another brilliant, MENSA category, articulate, talented 6th grader was expelled because his parents had similar concerns. The student as with many before him did NOTHING wrong. Like Sid he had been there since preschool and also like Sid was an asset to the school as a student. Can you imagine the emotional trauma and impact on these kids? But what really irks me is how other faculty, families and the Board stand silently and allow her to carry on? Is it a dictatorship? Are there no checks and balances? Does she have sole decision making power? The family whose child was most recently expelled fled from Iran to escape a dictatorship. Doesn't anyone care about the impact this has on the children?? Being expelled, having a mark on their record, leaving a place and community they have considered home, leaving friends, having to make new ones with three months remaining in the school year? What does the Board do?? The Board is comprised of supposedly upstanding members of the community such as doctors, lawyers and even law enforcement officers. In my opinion, These people are no different than the people who knew about and enabled criminlas like Jerry Sandusky Or Larry Nassar. While this is not sexual abuse or physical it is ABUSE. Abuse of power and emotional abuse towards innocent children.. Silent bystanders who know and allow this conduct to continue are just as guilty of wrongdoing and emotionally abusing children. It is truly a sad state of affairs which will undoubtably lead to the decline and possible death of what was once a great school. Do your Due Diligence. Unfortunately, I had to give it one star but that is being generous. There should be a negative star rating. I read more

Our child began at Marywood, and when the two schools merged the complexion of the entire experience changed. She was continually bullied and when we complained to the headmaster, he pretty much blew us off. When we'd finally had enough and took our daughter out of school after fifth grade, we had to spend $3000 at Sylvan learning Center over the summer to get her math skills up to public school level. She got A's and B's in math all through Palm Valley. She flourished at Palm Desert charter middle school, and also excelled at Palm Desert high school. We were foolish to buy in to the idea that an exclusive school like palm valley would afford our daughter a better education. If we had banked the money that we paid from kindergarten through fifth grade, we could've completely paid for her college education. Any of the dsusd Grade schools are quite likely superior educational experiences, and palm desert charter middle school is one of the finest in the nation, as is PDHS. If you buy into the notion that Palm Valley school is better for your child's social and educational well-being, you yourself may have an education coming . Edit: After reading the response from PV, I think like as not things have gotten worse, not better. read more

Palm Valley school is the school that we were dreaming for our daughter. The teachers are very dedicated and the average number of children per class is small. As working parents nothing is more important than leaving our daughter in a safe place with people who love her, educate and take care of her. All the stuff is very polite. They welcomed us as if we were part of a large family. We could not ask for anything more. Thank you palm valley for making my life easier. read more

Palm Valley has been a wonderful experience. My daughter, a happy and bright little girl in her third year at Palm Valley, loves the school. As a single parent who is bearing the entire cost of the education, I also love PVS for a number of reasons. The first reason are the teachers. They are caring, capable, and committed. Most, if not all, have advanced degrees, bring rich experiences to the classrooms, and pay attention to the details. Each of my daughter's teachers she has loved, and have been caring, empowering, and made sure each student received what he or she needed. For example, during each of the last two school years, both of my daughters teachers, without being prompted, volunteered to stay late a few afternoons a week to tutor my daughter through some tough spots. Another reason I am a fan of PVS is the staff. The staff are well-educated, and caring professionals. They make the time to address issues, provide updates, and ensure each of the kids receive what that individual student needs to thrive. In my case, staff has been especially patient with my situation, and has kept a loving eye out over my daughter. I can't tell you how much this means. The staffs' care has truly been a blessing. Each of the staff my daughter interacts with are good-hearted, ethical women, who take pride in what they do. IMHO, they are great influences. Another reason I value my daughter's time at Palm Valley are the resources, which are available to her. There are a total of nine students in my daughter's classroom. She can't help but get one-on-one time and attention not possible if she was attending a school with 30 or 40 students per classroom. There are a number of enrichment programs such as technology, robotics, music, physical education, language, and a really strong arts program. Also, PVS values critical thinking and reasoning. They begin to introduce the rigors of college-level education as the students advance in their PVS education. I watch the graduating seniors each year. Each year, PVS's seniors are accepted into a number of the nation's top universities with significant scholarship offers. I want this for my daughter. Another reason I value my daughter's time at Palm Valley are the other parents. The majority of the parents I've met are accomplished professionals from a variety of fields who care about their child's(ren's) education. Please know I have a number of friends who are similarly impressive people and professionals. These friends care deeply about their child, and chose to send their kids to public school. That works for them, and I am confident their kids are going to do incredible in life [in part because they have such good parents (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree)]. This said, I like knowing that when my daughter makes friends at school, and spends time with these friends outside of school, there is a high likelihood that the parents of the other kids similarly value academics, achievement, and hopefully integrity. Lastly, my daughter has made a number of great friends. The kids in her class are bright, good hearted, and come from an ethnically diverse background. Great kids, great parents, and enriching experiences... All good things. While the cost of PVS is no small amount, I look at the yearly tuition as an investment in my daughter's future. I hope my thoughts help anyone looking for the "perfect" school to send their child/ren. While no school is perfect, PVS has been a great, great experience. read more

I just started my 18 month son in Palm Valleys Cricket program. I was extremely nervous as most new moms are. I've been so pleasantly surprised at how easy the transition has been. The teachers let me call and check on my baby everyday, and send photos, so I'm not a nervous nelly, it really makes me feel comfortable and confident with the staff. The staff as been fantastic and plan on keeping him there as long as possible. read more

My son attended Marywood and Palm Valley School for middle and upper school, from 2004-2011. My time as a parent at Palm Valley School spanned the administrations of both Graham Hookey and Vince Downey, and I have continued to volunteer under both Mr. Graves and Mrs. Rice. As many have said in their reviews, Palm Valley was a good school under previous administrations. In fact, there are plenty of examples of excellence I can point to: drama productions, individual attention to students, writing instruction, and opportunities for sports for all students. These are all areas in which the school community continues to excel. However, no school can rest on doing things well. As an educator, I can say that all schools must evolve to ensure they are meeting the ever changing demands of society and the needs of their students. Change is hard for everyone, especially those who may not understand the need for change. However, all schools are in the process of coming to terms with the realities of an increased focus on teaching and learning that is requiring educators to significantly change their practice in the classroom. These changes are not unique to Palm Valley School, but change in a small school community, with a long history and rich tradition, can feel particularly uncomfortable, and not all teachers are willing or able to adapt. There seem to be many misconceptions among some of the parents who are posting, much of which I will not comment on. Instead, I would simply like to point out that three of the four division heads in place for next school year are long time employees who have been with the school for over fifteen years. I encourage any current or prospective parent to engage with any of these division heads if they want to know about the history of the school or how they feel things are going now. I coached at Marywood before the merger, was an active parent at Palm Valley while my son attended, and have continued to volunteer since his graduation in 2011. As a current teacher and former Athletic Director at another school in the Coachella Valley, I can say that Palm Valley has an incredible reputation. The school is known for their academics and their performing arts, but more than that, they regularly receive sportsmanship awards and are regarded as having some of the nicest and most respectful students in the area. This is just as true now as it always has been. As a local teacher I participate in many community events where I have the opportunity to see current or former Palm Valley students. I am always impressed when they go out of their way to greet me, to speak with me, or to thank me for something I may have done for them in the past. This level of good natured citizenship is something that I try to instill in my own students and is something that I feel that Palm Valley has excelled at, and continues to do currently. For all of these reasons I chose Palm Valley for my son, and would wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone looking for a positive environment with proven results. read more

First off, I am not using my own name out of fear of repercussions for me or my child at the school. That itself should say something. I'm not saying to give into the negativity, but I cannot be sure. I've always been a stout defender of Palm Valley. While many others choose to pull their children and send them to Xavier or other public schools but I'm beginning to question my decision because of the fog of war that seems to be going on. This most recent school year has been concerning and I'll just make a list of gripes from what I can recall. - No phones rule is quite annoying sometimes for my family personally as our job scheduling changes frequently. Instead of shooting a quick text to my child who responds quickly I have to call through the office phone. Rule actually makes a difference for a small minority of phone trouble makers and punishes the majority of kids who do not use their phone maliciously. Smart watch rule ticks me off too because my child can't use their expensive smart watch because it can connect to the phone. If my kid is sitting there playing with his wrist teachers should be paying enough attention to see that. Oh well though. - The aftercare program that I have to pay money for if I can't get my kid by 3:30. That's crazy. If I don't bolt out of work or jump through hoops to get someone to pick up my child they have to go to aftercare and I get charged? - I did not appreciate them flipping the uniforms back and forth. They're expensive. Anyways those are pretty big inconveniences to me but the biggest concern for me is the staff problems.. So many good teachers have been cut and I hear that three of the better teachers will be leaving next year. We're never told why we just have to be quiet and accept it. It really really worries me. Good teachers are leaving and some remain that I seriously question. The math department seems really thin, from what I know there is one teacher doing about all the advanced math courses. (multiple Pre-Calculus classes, AP Calculus, BC Calculus). A couple other of departments have very questionable teachers there and I have proof to base that on. I won't go into detail here because it would be obvious who I'm talking about. Some teachers are very good at their job and I have great faith in 99% of the school, except for the head. I would like a road map or something because it just seems like the school is going on a downward spiral being masked as "changes" The school is expensive and I really would love to know where it's going. This would easily be a five star review if there was a light at the end of this foggy tunnel. I'm confused and on the brink of pulling my child. read more

Our son is halfway through his first year in the toddler room. We have seen such growth in him, from the ABC's, counting, socializing and more. Mrs Traub is one of a kind. She makes learning fun. She always has great activities planed. They cook, paint, sing, dance and so much more. It is an awesome program and she is an amazing teacher. Also, Mr Klausz (Head of Pre School) is great! We don't know too much about the upper schools but we have heard great things and look forward to experiencing them too! read more

Preschool, as a Hummingbird in 2011, began our Son's education at Palm Valley School. When we first came to Palm Valley, we had a wait-and-see attitude regarding our long-term plans with the school. Since I work mostly at home, our Son had not been to day care. Palm Valley was his first experience away from my wife and I in a structured environment. I was immediately impressed w/the high level of care, compassion and professionalism the teachers and administration displayed. Their demeanor communicated to me that my Son would be safe, nurtured and challenged. Our Son was allowed the freedom to have abundant fun while learning- something crucial to development. Exposure to kids yoga, dance, forign languages, and participating in musical performances was a total bonus surprise to us. Two years of preschool extended to Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten on up through third grade where our Son is now thriving. I've been fortunate to experience and observe leadership of three Heads of School: Vince Downey, Mr. Graves and now Mrs. Rice. I began to volunteer at the school in 2013 which really changed my perception of the school. Simply dropping off and picking up my Son, provided a limited awareness of how the school functioned. The quality of education, staff and faculty are obvious if a parent is lucky enough to be immersed as I've been. I was surprised to see how different each student's competencies were at the same age and grade level. And as a volunteer, witnessed first hand, how the teachers addressed these differences. Playing to the individual's strengths with encouragement, while creatively generating opportunities to grow in areas needing emphasis only confirmed for us that this was EXACTLY where I wanted my Son to be! Changes in leadership are a reality in any organization. I saw good works first hand from all three of Palm Valley's leaders. The impressive part of this now, seven year progression at the school, has been the growth and positive changes I've seen. From my 34 years as a business owner as well as time in corporate leadership, I well know the challenges of leading a group. Achieving a long-term strategic vision must be a complex combination of moves, micro and at times seemingly jarring to some. It is often a thankless job inviting criticism from those lacking information or unable to see the big picture. I have seen some negative reviews on Yelp that are obviously deeply personal in nature. I won't comment, other than on my own seven year experience and deep involvement in the school sometimes on a day to day basis. Mrs. Rice, as the Head of School, has brought a combination of bold courageous moves tempered with compassion, fairness and diplomacy. Some of the decisions may not make sense at the time but are ultimately part of a plan to insure Palm Valley remains solvent, innovative and the Center of Excellence it has become. Leaders are not appointed impulsively or by chance. Many years of experience steer this ship with an eye on both the future and the maintenance and propagation of these core values in each and every student. In our seven year time at Palm Valley, there have been issues involving dual households and shared custody. At times, these have spilled over into the school. Mrs. Rice and her staff have worked diligently and fairly with professionalism and confidentiality to minimize any emotional impact on our Son. The protection and care of the child has been their number one priority, as it should be. Mrs. Rice's knowledge of and adherence to the State and Federal laws has been impressive. In the litigious world of today, it's a delicate dance to be done around this, but Palm Valley's staff putting the children's welfare first is something I'll be forever grateful for. Take a walk through the campus from preschool, lower, middle and upper school. Do this between classes while students are actively moving. You will encounter a group of youths that hold doors open for you, pick up trash, smile with eye contact. It will be obvious that this is not being generated from brow-beaten over disciplined robots. What you will encounter are confident, proud children and young adults knowing that it's just as important to give to the world as to take from it. This takes a strength of spirit and a solid core believe that we all can make a difference. That is what I want for my Son as he goes out into the world eager to do his part and have fun doing it. read more

PVS was noted in CY15 for being among the best in the TOP 100 listed schools in California. We moved from Silicon Valley for our son to attend this exceptional school that offers: Leadership, well rounded & challenging academic curriculum, ability to add fun & hands-on learning engagement, availability of staff expertise in each area, committed to results, safety and teaching good character. It is a pleasure to drive to a school facility that has an excellent building design to catered to the academic topic and you will always find it to be impeccable! For parents, they offer workshops that will enable further knowledge about what is being taught to the children in order for parents to be part of the positive reinforcement process. Our son is doing excellent in his school, advanced in reading and writing skills. Enjoys the hands-on learning projects (building rockets in 3rd grade). If you are looking for a top school with academics, caring school community and leadership, PVS is the school to strongly consider. read more

Love this school! I have had three children attend Palm Valley School. All three have received a top quality education in a caring environment. One of my children has severe food allergies. Sending a child that has life threatening food allergies to school can be very scary. I remember on the first day of preschool my son running off in excitement to play with his new friends while I stood in the middle of the classroom crying for fear of the potential food dangers he could encounter while not in my site. Palm Valley School immediately made certain anything that could cause him harm was removed from the classroom and contacted me regularly to make certain paints and other crafts were safe for him to touch. That preschooler is now a prospering 7th grader, still with the same life threatening allergies, yet safe and happy to be in a normal environment with peers and instructors that love and care for him. Even after all these years staff still contacts me regularly if they notice any changes in him that could be indicative of a potential reaction and I am relieved to know that all staff is trained to use every life saving epinephrine device on the market. If you are looking for a school that provides academic excellence, in a nurturing environment, on an amazing campus, Palm Valley School is just that place. read more

As a parent with 2 children attending PVS, I am very satisfied with my experience as a new family this year. My family has felt extremely welcomed into this wonderful community. Starting with the Head of School Mrs. Rice and continuing down to Mrs. Fisher the Head of Lower school, where my daughter is in kindergarten and Mr. Klausz the Head of Preschool where my son is. My children previously attended another private preschool in the area but after attending a few events for PVS, we felt this was a better fit moving forward. We love the teachers that our children have and feel like we are leaving them with family. The communication is open and honest and we have never felt more confident in our children's education. read more

My son attends Palm Valley Preschool. I'll begin by saying, this is the third preschool he has attended and it is by far superior to the previous. It is such a breathe of fresh air, to be surrounded by educators who genuinely care about your child and their well being. The principle, head of preschool, and teachers have gone ABOVE and beyond to help my son, while providing an exceptional learning environment. So grateful to have found such a wonderful school. read more

I have two children attending Palm Valley now. I have read all the reviews and many are from parents that have left. I thought it was time for someone to post a review from a current parent that is still with the school. While I can't speak to issues parents have had, my experience has been vastly different and positive. Both of our children are happy at Palm Valley. The parents we meet through Palm Valley, we've formed tremendous bonds with and respect. To me this speaks volumes about the school community and likely quality of kids my children will interact with. In many cases, these parents have the means to send their children anywhere they want for school and have chosen to send and keep their kids at Palm Valley. I have found the current administration is willing to help when asked. I have one child that was having a hard time educationally. I meet with the Head of school, within a few days of my request. She brought in teachers, the head of lower school, found us an outside testing center, and because we were willing to do what was necessary as parents, the school created a team to help. We were also expected to do our part. Our child is now receiving 1 on 1 teaching with a specialized teacher during the school day combined with classes from two grades and has built a team of staff we communicate with weekly. There are also outside tutors the school is interacting with. In fact, I meet with the whole team again this week, my 3rd time in less than a month. The school was even willing to have the outside testing company observe the classroom and paid for it. In my opinion, way above and beyond. To get this type of specialized attention is rare but also what you're paying for at Palm Valley. School education is more than just the educational tools; reading, writing, math etc. My older child is learning how to do public speaking, learning how to act and behave, look people in the eye when speaking, Palm Valley goes beyond the traditional curriculum. My son just came back from a 2-day overnight at a Marine Institute in Catalina. To me, a school is the sum of the educational work and other activities combined that lead to a well-rounded child's total education. We have found the school to be overly concerned about behavior and bullying issues and we are grateful for this. The school does expect parents to get involved if there are issues and be proactive. I like this approach and appreciate I know what's going on. I would much rather, too concerned, than not enough. The stories are everywhere today and they all end with if only someone paid more attention... Where graduates are going is also a good indication of how a school is doing and Palm Valley has fantastic college placement. At the end There are cheaper options than Palm Valley it's expensive, but you get what you pay for. They also give out a fair amount of financial aid. If you compared Palm Valley to private schools in most other places, Boston, NY, Los Angeles.... it's a bargain at 30-40% less. I hope this helps prospective parents. All the best in your search. read more

My 2 children have attended PVS for the past 8 years (middle school & high school). Our experience has been great. They have received an excellent education & built strong communication skills. My oldest child is now excelling at a major university, which I think is a direct result of the stellar preparation provided by PV. I have always found the staff and administration to be very approachable, readily available & open to discussing concerns. I am very thankful my children have had the opportunity to attend PVS. read more

As a former parent of children at this school, all I can say is STAY AWAY. Awful administration is ruining what is left of this already damaged school. We pulled my children out several years ago because we could already see the problems starting with administration. I'm so glad we did because my children are learning better in PUBLIC SCHOOL than they ever did at Palm Valley. Not to mention that they where 3 years behind on their math skills. This school infuriates me and all I hope is that other parents steer clear- seriously, any other school, even public school is better than this. read more

My kids went to this school back in the day and it seemed okay although the administation was well, a bit out of the ordinary. However recently it appears that things have degraded somewhat. If you want to send your child here i would take a serious look at their staff turnover, etc before proceeding. read more

Well of course you would not find our name because we were forced to leave at the expense of your headmaster, also you are a newly hired staff member. Sorry, the school has no recollection of the fight because my child still remembers it :( read more

Palm Valley is the most incredible school and community of dedicated families, faculty, administration and especially our Head of School. We have been at the school over 10 years and with new leadership the School keeps getting better and better. Our children's education is most important to us as parents. We are confident that PVS is the very best School to challenge them academically while nurturing them as they grow and develop. It is normal for teaches and students to change. I have always seen the school treat everyone with the greatest respect. Palm Valley offers everything that the very best private school schools offer. Very grateful to be part of the Firebird family. I would be happy to talk with anyone who has questions about this incredible school. read more

My child has attended Palm Valley School for 9 years and it has grown and improved during that time in many ways. Most families come to this school because of the educational programs, personal attention to students, quality of faculty, and 100% college acceptance rate, all of which are very good reasons. We will stay at the school through high school graduation for those reasons, as well as the school's emphasis on developing students to be respectful and caring citizens who value equity, diversity, and inclusion. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to send my child here, as do the hundreds of families who also consider it the best school for their children. read more

My family with three children have been with Palm Valley School for 8 years. I choose a private school because the options for public school are just not appealing to me for them. That leaves private school as the option and I am happy to have chosen Palm Valley School to educate and affect their lives. They have each received a very personal, hands-on academically-driven education with many options in the fine arts. The school is made up of three dynamic campuses: Lower School, Middle School and Upper School and I've seen my children experience each level. The lower school has changed significantly since my children left that part of the campus and seems all for the better with the addition of technology and labs. Mean girls seem to be on every school campus no matter where you go and that problem although exists, is being handled much swifter than in the past. A bully (very mean girl) and her bully mother were rightfully asked to leave after the mother bullied children (including my own). This woman actually laid hands on someone else's child. The school did the right thing and as a private school they can act without limits of public school rules. Because the classes are smaller, the problem of mean girls is a much bigger problem at other schools and at PVS can be addressed faster with control. The teachers and administration today identify these issues immediately and try to help everyone resolve them such as recommending relevant resources or ultimate removal if there is no willingness to change. Because of the smaller classes, teachers will and have reached out to me about a behavioral change in my child or a concern about an academic subject. We can and did address that immediately together and this is an invaluable service. The Middle School years are the most formative years for all children and this is my favorite part of PVS - the children grow in a very safe and caring environment where academics remain the focus. I think this is the best kept secret in the desert - the Middles School at Palm Valley. If you can afford private school for a short time, this is where you want to spend the money - the Middle School at Palm Valley. The school continually emphasizes the fine arts augmenting the high academics - their experience in drama and music blow parents away with each performance and presentation. For instance, at a young age in 3rd grade, the students begin annual poetry recitals and get excited finding the right poem to present to a large room that includes the entire school. This is tremendous experience. These poetry recitals carry through Middle School and the Upper School with optional participation in regional competitions. The relationships the students develop with the teachers feel very collegiate - these are mentors the kids admire and stay connected with throughout their lifetime. Although the school is not well known for its athletic teams, physical education is absolutely part of the daily curriculum and complemented with the teachings of a healthy life style. For instance, Mondays are knows as Mile Monday because they have to run/walk at least a mile in PE each Monday. Goes over well with teenage girls! Seriously though, to keep children moving daily coupled with good eating habits, well we all know how imperative that is. My children have each received so far a very fulsome experience and I'm grateful for the teachers and administration and the parents too. The number of volunteers and commitment of the parents is significant and I know they help watch over all the kids including my own when I'm not there. I have PVS friends who've left the area or moved to other local schools and their children are all thriving. Evidence that the school provides a great foundation of academics and more. I work full time and all the disposable income I earn goes to their education. Each morning when I drop them off, I feel so much relief that they are in a safe place getting an exceptional education without sacrificing the arts, the sciences or physical activity. A commitment to a private school is a very major decision and I hope this review helps another mom or dad. My children are surrounded by teachers and parents who are committed to a well-rounded education. Palm Valley School has been a blessing for my children and a constant foundation in a life surrounded by change. They will each be ready for college or whatever they decide to do with lifelong friendships made along the way. read more