River Valley Charter School is a public charter school located in Lakeside, California, just 25 minutes from downtown San Diego. Established in 1997, it caters to students in grades 7 through 12. The school prides itself on being a California Distinguished School with a track record of academic success.

It has consistently earned the highest scores in the Academic Performance Index (API) in San Diego County for seven consecutive years. At River Valley Charter School, the emphasis is on academic rigor and college preparation. The curriculum includes four years each of mathematics, social science, science, and English, all of which meet the University of California's A to G requirements.

With a college-like schedule, students attend core classes twice a week for 75 minutes and engage in independent study for the rest of the week. With a maximum class size of 18 students, River Valley Charter School offers a personalized learning experience where instructional methods range from lecture formats to seminar-style discussions and presentations. The dedicated faculty, consisting of nine full-time teachers, four elective teachers, and a college counselor, guide students towards success.

At River Valley Charter School, the educational process is a collaborative effort involving parents, students, and staff. The school values an atmosphere of mutual respect and encourages community involvement, recognizing that education is best fostered in a small, close-knit learning community