Riverstone & Golden Valley USD: Where Students Shine

October 19, 2019

With back-to-school season just kicking off, we’re all reminded of the importance of a community’s school district in the purchase of a new home. In fact, according to a recent report from the National Association of Realtors, 53% of homebuyers with children considered a neighborhood based on the quality of the school districts located within that neighborhood. Fortunately, for the master-planned community of Riverstone, education has always been a standout. Riverstone’s future school—Stone Creek Elementary—will be served by Golden Valley Unified, one of the highest performing school districts in the Central Valley.

Kendall Geist of Madera-Liberty FFA (and Riverstone resident) proudly shows off her Supreme Champion Market Steer at the 2019 Madera District Fair.

The Hawks varsity football team from Liberty High School recently squared off against the Yosemite Badgers in the home conference Homecoming game.

“For us, an exemplary education is everything,” said Riverstone’s Tim Jones. “To be able to learn and grow in a safe, collaborative and nurturing environment is so important to today’s youth…and it’s delivered day in, day out by Golden Valley USD’s dedicated team of teachers, coaches and administrative staff.”

Comprising nine schools serving nearly 2,000 students, Golden Valley USD 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.

The district’s Liberty High School, named a California Distinguished School for 2009, boasts a graduation rate of 96.18%, which is the highest graduation rate in the region. Graduating Seniors each year pursue a wide range of higher education opportunities, from four-year universities and community colleges to military and technical schools.

Not to be outdone by academics alone, Liberty High School is also recognized for its strong athletics program. Over the years, Liberty High teams have won multiple league championships and CIF Section Championships. Just last year, the Girls Cross Country, Boys Baseball and Boys Basketball teams all won Division V CIF Section Championships.

At the recent Madera County Fair, Golden Valley Unified schools—including Liberty High School—dominated the competition. Students took home a total of nearly 90 awards in the categories of Floriculture, Horse, Rabbit, Sheep, Swine, Goats and Beef.

Plans are being finalized for future expansion of the Agriculture and Career Technical Education opportunities with the construction of a state-of-the-art Liberty High School Engineering, Agri-Science and Farming Academy (LEAF). Featuring animal pens, barns and an animal show pavilion, the facility will support planned career pathways in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Manufacturing and Product Development.

Two other district schools that have both garnered California Distinguished School honors include Webster Elementary and Sierra View Elementary. Families, students and staff of Sierra View held their school carnival this past October 4th. Webster Elementary, which is the temporary home for TK-6th graders and their families living at Riverstone, held their school carnival on October 18th. All GVUSD students and families are looking forward to the school’s lineup of theatrical plays, band and choir concerts, which are typically held in December.

The opportunity for a Golden Valley USD education will soon be available within Riverstone’s Lodge District residential neighborhood with the addition of the community’s future Stone Creek Elementary school. Anticipated to open in time for the 2021 school year, the innovative campus—which will be within walking and biking distance from Riverstone’s new homes—is planned to feature tech-forward 21st century classrooms, a state-of-the-art Library/Media Center, a dedicated music room, outdoor learning spaces, a large outdoor amphitheater and a dynamic sports complex.

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 community clubhouses, hiking and biking trails, a dog park, a community farm, historic olive and citrus groves, a sustainable water supply, and on-site schools.

For more information about the new-home community of Riverstone and its collections of new homes from Bonadelle Neighborhoods, Crown Homes, D.R. Horton, Lennar and Wathen Castanos Homes, homebuyers are encouraged to visit the community’s website at www.RiverstoneCA.com and add their name to the Interest List.