About Us

Ripon Elementary School’s mission is, "To create critical thinkers to develop powerful leaders."   The receiving of the 2007 Title I Academic Achievement award and 2010 California Distinguished School recognition reflects our commitment to providing a solid foundation for learning.

Ripon Elementary School has ‘old school’ appeal for a new generation. Our unfenced, Main Street location makes the school a focus for all who come to our community. The fact that many of our students are second, third or even fourth generation Ripon Elementary children brings much loyalty and community support. Ripon’s K-8 school philosophy provides continuity in not only academics, but also in the bonds that are formed with our students’ families. There is always a group of students who stay with us from kindergarten through eighth grade and they are recognized as "Die Hard Indians". Our school mascot is the Indian. The sports, leadership and extracurricular activities we offer our older students make for well rounded citizens, prepared for the next step in their education.


Our school is the oldest school in the Ripon Unified School District. The school has been at the same location, next to Ripon High School, since about 1924.   In the last 85 years, the school has had only nine administrators. While our current school facility is 55 years old, continuous improvements make it a welcoming campus for our approximately 440 students. While many of our students have grandparents or even great grandparents who attended the school, 20% of our students are English Language Learners, and first generation Ripon Elementary families. The close relationships that are established between staff, students and families truly reflect the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”. Older students often return to primary classrooms to help teachers, and many parents stop in to consult a previous teacher about concerns with their child.


The value of quality education goes far beyond the school facility. We are located just one block from the Public Library, where our classes are welcome to come during the day or after school. Our location also enables us to have walking field trips to the Police and Fire Departments, Post Office, Senior Citizen complexes and various other businesses.   Our children are offered extra support through an extended day Title I program, as well as homework help through two after school programs. Give Every Child A Chance provides one on one tutoring as well as homework help, group activities, arts and crafts. Stone Soup, located in our multi-use room, also provides homework help, group activities, arts and crafts, and operates on an extended year calendar. Parent and community volunteers assist in our classrooms and around the campus.  Our Parent Faculty Club works diligently to provide enhancements to our school environment in order to improve the educational programs we offer.

 
While the rigors of high academic standards keep us very busy, we do find time to provide additional opportunities for our students. The after school athletics program includes volleyball, softball, soccer and basketball. Leadership is fostered in our Student Council and Peer Helper programs. We emphasize positive character traits in our monthly assemblies, produce an annual talent show and  theatre production.  Students volunteer to serve on the yearbook staff and our school’s morning news program, which is broadcast each morning to all of our classrooms. Last, but not least, our five day Science Camp is still one of the highlights of the sixth grade year. It is held in the Santa Cruz mountains and we are fortunate to have former Ripon Elementary students return as counselors.

Ripon Elementary has been and continues to be at the heart of the Ripon community. The staff and faculty strive to provide an atmosphere and opportunities for our students to grow and succeed both academically and personally. We endeavor to teach our students the skills necessary to become contributing citizens in an ever changing and diverse global society. In doing so, we are ensuring the success of not just individuals, but the school and the entire community.