Challenge School - Foster City Campus

Both of my kids have been going to Challenge for two months now. They love going to school everyday. I am surprised how much Mandarin they picked up in such short period of time. Everyday after they come home, they will show me what they learned from school that day. They will sing to me in Mandarin and even read me a few Chinese poems. My older one can now recognize over 30 Chinese characters. What an accomplishment! All the teachers at Challenge are well trained and caring, they love kids! I will highly recommend this place!
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers at Challenge are nurturing and caring. My daughter, who was very shy, was well received by the teachers here. Not just her teacher, but other teachers as well. The program is structured but casual, and students are well-behaved but not bored. My daughter comes home every night and starts yakking away in something that sounds like Mandarin for hours on end. We highly recommend Challenge School.
--Submitted by a parent

I recommend this school with absolutely no hesitation! Having looked into (and tried out) other Mandarin preschool options in the Bay Area (both parent-participation and non), I can say that I am very satisfied with Challenge School. The teachers (esp Yang Laoshi) are warm and caring, the director Grace is very involved and open to suggestions (her son also attends) , and most of all, my son truly loves the school. Some of his biggest milestones occurred there - becoming comfortable in a drop off setting, toilet training, and learning to self-feed. I was worried when he cried for 1.5 hrs of his first dropoff session (which was only 2 hrs long), but the staff worked with me to ensure a smooth transition and even accommodated him coming in for extra sessions until he was adjusted. We live further south but still think it's worth the 30 min commute each way!
--Submitted by a parent

I highly recommend this school as it has worked out for my grandson. When he first attended he didn't show a lot of interest and it wasn't clear whether he would pick up the Chinese language or care to. However, after a few weeks, he has acclimated very well, and is now speaking Chinese and he often asks me how to say an English word or phrase in Chinese. He is definitely engaged in wanting to learn Chinese when he comes from a 100% Engilsh-speaking home. You also notice that he is very happy at the school with all of his teachers, and often doesn't want to go home immediately when picked up. Note that he only goes 2 days a week in the morning. A big accomplishment for us...

Ten other friends of mine and myself have been sending our kids to Challenge School in Foster City for over 6 months (most of them since 2 years old) and we have been very happy with the school and their Mandarin Immersion program. The directors (Grace and May) are very responsive to parents' questions and comments. They are flexible and always keep the mind set of "how to make the school even better". Their teachers are experienced, very patient and considerate. I recently attended their Chinese Moon Festival school event (my 1st parents + students event of the school) and was surprised how many parents showed up at the event. They basically ran out of seats! That was a great way to tell the parents' commitment to the school. I highly recommend Challenge School to other parents. Please check it out yourself!
--Submitted by a parent

Poor supervision so bullying and swearing take place among students. There is very little accomodation for students from non-Chinese spaking familiies.
--Submitted by a parent

A wonderful Chinese language and culture program, well designed after school program too. A place I can trust to put my daughter in and a great loving enviroment for kids to growe up. This is my daughter's first year here at challenge school, my husband and I are very happy with them.
--Submitted by a parent

A good afterschool program for kids, the language class is a big plus for our kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent program is provided by challenge school -Foster City Campus. It has very friendly teachers and staffs that you can talk with.
--Submitted by a parent