River Oak Charter School

Each year, our 8th grade self-portraits offer a beautiful glimpse into the individuality of each student and their unique gifts, perspectives, and unfolding journeys. More than works of art, these portraits embody the developing mind, body, and spirit of each young person, reflecting the essence of who they are at this important threshold.

In Waldorf education, every child is deeply seen, known, and honored. Today, as we celebrate our graduating 8th graders, we recognize not only their academic accomplishments, but also the remarkable human beings they have become.

This evening, these students will cross the bridge from middle school into their next chapter- high school and beyond. We are filled with gratitude for the years we have shared, the growth we have witnessed, and the memories we have created together.

River Oak is incredibly proud of each and every one of you. It has been an honor to walk alongside you on your journey. May you carry your curiosity, courage, creativity, and compassion into all that lies ahead.

Congratulations, Class of 2026 🌹

Join Our River Oak Team!

We’re hiring a Paraprofessional Moderate/Severe to support and work closely with our incredible TK–8th grade students each day.

Come be part of a fun, supportive, Waldorf-inspired charter school community where creativity, connection, and student growth are at the heart of what we do.

If you love working with children, collaborating with a team, and making a difference every day, we’d love to meet you!

For job descriptions and application information, visit: www.edjoin.org/riveroakcharterschool

Due to many requests from families who missed our first enrollment period, we are opening a secondary enrollment lottery for the 2026–2027 school year starting Monday, May 11th on our website www.riveroakcharterschool.org This is your opportunity to submit an application and be added to our waitlist for consideration.

Please note: all applicants from this secondary lottery will be placed below families already on the waitlist from our first enrollment lottery. However, we cannot contact you with an enrollment offer if we do not have a submitted application on file. This your chance to apply for a free, high-quality Waldorf-inspired education for your child.

The photos shared here are from a recent second grade field trip to MacKerricher State Park, where students explored tide pools and connected hands-on learning directly to their curriculum. At River Oak, field trips and experiential education are an important part of our Waldorf-inspired approach because meaningful learning happens through real-world experiences.

Questions about enrollment or our school community?
📞 Call our registrar at 707-467-1855 ext. 103
📧 Email: [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming new families to the River Oak community!

May Day at River Oak was pure magic 🌸✨ From our kindergarteners to eighth graders, students danced joyfully around the Maypole, welcoming spring with color, music, and movement, just as Waldorf traditions invite us to do.

We’re so grateful for our incredible families who helped bring this celebration to life in so many ways. From preparing food, setting up, hosting raffles, donating items, selling tickets, and more. Your contributions truly support the heart of our school and its mission.

Wishing everyone a beautiful, joyful spring weekend 💐

Fifth grade took learning beyond the classroom and into the heart of downtown Ukiah 🎨

Our students started their walking field trip at , where they explored a gallery featuring artist William Shi, a graduate of The Developing Virtue Boys School. From there, they continued on to the to experience a special exhibit showcasing artists’ interpretations of Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night.

Along the way, students observed, discussed, and took notes on the different artistic mediums and techniques they encountered bringing their classroom studies to life in a meaningful, real-world way.

We’re so grateful for the vibrant local art scene here in Ukiah. Creativity is everywhere in our community, and at our school, art is deeply woven into our Waldorf-inspired curriculum every single day 💛🖌️