Challenger Middle School

Violent and aggressive students rule this school and administration doesn't get involved. I am moving my kids out of state after persistent bullying at this school caused my son such deep depression that he was suicidal and hospitalized. It ruined my gifted and honor students life. Ruined his grades and personality and all they did was move him to another school in the district that is not as bad, but still has bullying. The assistant principle has called my son and I "liars" when we brought it to his attention, and it even had no direct change when I met with the district. This is the kind of school that is waiting for a law suit, but this is my only act of contrition.
--Submitted by a parent

Challenger Middle School is an exceptional educational facility. The students at Challenger are met with high expectations and are held to those expectations throughout the school year. The teachers and administration work very hard to make Challenger a great school for all students. As a parent, I couldn't ask for a better school for my children. Congratulations to Ms. Molina and Ms. Birrell for all of their hard work and leadership in making this school a great school for kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Challenger school administration is terrible.There is no support from the office admins. Therefore the students are out of control. I have observed this school and there is no way I would ever put my child in this school. There has been so many threats and bullying and even the admin have to have a security officer walk with them because she is afraid of the students.

I began my career at Challenger, and in the short amount of time that I have been there I have grown to adore this school! The administration, Tiffany, Jenni,and Mark, have been such a support in good and bad times. Challenger is filled to capacity with amazing teachers and beautiful kids! Speaking from a teacher's perspective Challenger is a wonderful place to work and live out the dream of teaching that still burns inside of me.
--Submitted by a teacher

i am a student at challenger and i think this school is not doing very well. In my opinion this school shouldnt be aloud to be a school. me and my mom have had so many problems with the school. the staff is horrible they arent kind and the principals arent doing a good job. if i could switch schools i would. i am glad this is my last year here. i have been at this school since fifth grade until now and i am in eighth grade now. since i came to this school my grades have been lower than before and i always never wanted to go to school. i use to be a straight a student but now im getting b's or m's or 3's. another thing that bothers me is the grading system. well im glad im going to highschool and im getting out of that dump.
--Submitted by a student

Challenger Middle School is doing much better now and is a performing plus school. Thanks to our phenomenal teachers,staff members,and principals Challenger is a wonderful school. Our staff member work very hard to make sure that we learn to our highest level possible. I really enjoy school knowing that Challenger has smiling teachers everyday that everyone loves. CMS is the best school ever!!!!
--Submitted by a student

The school is so overwhelmed with the amount of students, when I see another apartment complex go up I know the school will get another rush of students. Our child is in 5th grade and this is his third school because of over crowding, I thought the purpose of buying a home was so that children could stay in the same school. As for parents we need to speak up, jump up and down, scream and holler whatever it take to get some action.
--Submitted by a parent

Parent apathy, overwhelmed teachers, poor student behavior, continous staff turnover, and lack of effective leadership at the district level are all factors that cause Challenger to be a below average school. There are some bright spots but unfortunately that are few and far between. There is much that needs to be done in order to turn Challenger into a quality school.
--Submitted by a teacher

It is sad that this school can't meet no child left behind act for the last 5 years.I believe our teachers are underpaid and the curriculum needs to be changed. Glendale District needs to step in and assist with these changes.
--Submitted by connie carpenter, a parent

It is very sad to see Challenger (when it was a true middle school) an A+ school, now falling to the label of an under performing school. There are a number of reasons for the failings, but the efforts to save money has let good teacher after good teacher go to other schools by transforming the school into a fabricated K-8 school is a shame.
--Submitted by a former student