Caliber Schools Reviews

Pros

Really care about the community they serve and work hard to close that equity gap. They also treat their employees really well and are open to feedback.

Cons

I don't see any, but I think any organization has room for growth.

Pros

The culture of the workplace is great. Good opportunities.

Cons

High turnover makes for an unstable environment.

Pros

Health insurance benefits are great.

Cons

Lack of experienced leadership, no accountability for students needs, no accountability for administration when teachers need long term aide, not enough teachers because people leave mid year, no subs, the list goes on. Please don’t be gas lighted into thinking you’ll do good. Just let the school close and an actual y public school get the funds this school syphons from Vallejo and Richmond.

Pros

I have been here for several years and hope to be for several more. I can share so much but as a Black educator it's important that I share my experience from that perspective. I love the way Caliber Public schools affirms their Black students and teachers. It is so refreshing to work at a school that has: A Black CEO, 75% Black Principals, Black Leadership including APs, ICs, and Black Clinicians and Black Teachers - in abundance, serving kids that look like them. I love that diversity and equity is prioritized and centered. Teacher retention is high, clear pipelines for development (content leads, career pathways, support for PD etc.) and lots of joy. I feel affirmed and supported in my work and I am so thankful that there are thoughtful attempts to hold problematic staff accountable. This work is about equity and I love that we are held accountable for dismantling white supremacy and celebrating the beautiful diversity of our staff and students. I am so grateful to be part of our Vallejo family.

Cons

There are a few staff members who refuse to be accountable to our kids and to the most basic professional standards - admin is too slow to get rid of them. Lots of noise from that camp

Pros

*Loving and caring children; they sincerely love their teachers *Supportive families *Hardworking, dedicated staff *Strong SEL foundation from past years - evident in student attitudes and warmth *Decent benefits, OK bonuses and opportunities for stipends *Very strong DEI program for the staff; Top notch.

Cons

*Very limited opportunity for growth and promotion. This school does not grow leadership from within. It loses the best, brightest, and most creative teachers and instructional coaches year after year. *Inadequate professional development opportunities for teachers who have taught for over 3 years. This is a training ground for newer teachers *Extremely disorganized, at the K-4 level. School leader says all the right things, but does not walk the walk with staff. *High teacher turn-over *Now follows a KIPP-like data driven model instead of the SEL, project based, community focus it used to have in the past. School lacks vision and purpose.

Pros

Caliber offers a great and diverse benefits package to its staff. They are one of the few Charter Schools in the area to offer a Family Planning/Fertility benefit! They also offer a diverse range of benefits like Medical, Dental, FSA, 401K (w/ employee match) and EAP services. The EAP program is great because it offers up to FREE 5 counseling session along with a diverse range of additional benefits. Make sure you ask them about FSA and Dependent Care FSA - they are lifesavers! Management does a good job is helping staff in their professional development not only by contracting great educators/coaches for PD but also offering Professional Development Stipends that can be used to help pay for school or trainings of your choice! Overall, they do a great job taking care of their staff!

Cons

Nothing, they are doing great and continue to improve year by year!

Pros

School is fairly new so still building its foundation

Cons

Leadership changes pretty off and sometimes lack of institutional vision and foundation.

Pros

Opportunities to grow and learn Leadership strives for continuous improvement Equity driven organization A lot of opportunities for Professional Development Top quality leadership and teachers Community oriented

Cons

-Growth opportunities depend on your effort and visibility, if you aren't trying to be seen or speaking out for yourself you can get overlooked. -They have a growth mindset if you are looking for a small organization that seeks to stay where they are at with the bare minimum that's not Caliber. (Its a pro for me but I know some people prefer smaller settings.

Pros

I receive higher pay compared to surrounding public schools.

Cons

There is a lot more work and time that goes into the job.

Pros

Caliber Public Schools is an organization where the actions match their values. I have personally been impressed with our approach to the whole child. Student success is at the center of all that we do. Whether it's supporting the social emotional needs of our students and families or providing weekly instructional feedback for our teachers to help our teachers grow, it's all in service of the student experience.

Cons

This work is hard and we're constantly in pursuit of continuous improvement. If you're a person that isn't fond of feedback both affirming and adjusting, it probably isn't the right fit for you.