Schools

If you’re moving to Chico with kiddies, there’s a good chance you’ll want them to do some book-learnin’. Fortunately, Chico has a variety of educational options to choose from. The public schools have a reputation for excellence, and there are private schools, many of them with church affiliations, as well. Rest assured, Chico is known for its good schools.

Public schools

Chico Unified School District
The CUSD includes 16 elementary schools, three junior highs and three high schools (including a continuation school) and is in the process of obtaining land for another comprehensive high school. More than 13,400 students attend these schools. The CUSD has a policy of letting parents send their students to the schools of their choice, as long as there’s room. Test scores and other state measures of achievement are kept at the district offices at 1163 E. Seventh St. (898-3000) The CUSD also offers a homeschool program and oversees one K-8 charter school, Chico Country Day School. www.cusd.chico.k12.ca.us.

Butte County Office of Education
BCOE oversees all the public schools in the county, along with countywide programs such as Regional Occupational Programs (ROP), migrant education, Head Start and community schools. BCOE also oversees two charter schools in Chico: The Blue Oak Charter School, which opened in 2001 and uses Waldorf methods of teaching, and the Four Winds of Indian Education. BCOE offices are at 1859 Bird St. in Oroville, 532-5650. http://www.bcoe.butte.k12.ca.us/

Private schools

The Progressive Schoolhouse
This 17-year-old K-8 school moved from Paradise to Chico in 2000. Each student gets his or her own individualized program, and the school focuses on developmental stages. Tuition plus a materials fee totals about $3,500 a year. 2400 Notre Dame. 345-5665. www.progressiveschoolhouse.net

There are also several schools in Chico operated by religious interests, not to mention the many high-school students who ride a bus 40 minutes north to attend the Catholic Mercy High School in Red Bluff (www.mercy-high.org). Here are some of the bigger ones:

Notre Dame School
Notre Dame is a Catholic elementary school serving kindergarten through eighth grades. It’s been here since 1928 and was expanded in 1953 and again in 1979. It has 300 students, with learning coordinated closely with area parishes. Uniforms are worn. 435 Hazel St. 342-2502. http://www. nds.cisnet.net/homepg.asp

Chico Christian School
Affiliated with Neighborhood Church, this is a K-6 school. (There’s also a preschool.) Uniforms are worn. 2801 Notre Dame Blvd. 343-6051. http://www.chicochristian.org/ccs/index.html

The Pleasant Valley Baptist School
The only K-12 Christian school in Butte County, this school is affiliated with and housed by the church at 13539 Garner Lane, north of town off Highway 99. 343-2949.

Champion Christian School
This 7-12, interdenominational school has been in operation since 1992. The teachers integrate Bible studies into each subject. Champion has competitive sports teams. Enrollment begins each April, and tuition is about $3,000 a year. 1184 East Ave. 345-8008. www.championchristianschool.org