Challenger

Why are so many parents withdrawing from Shawnee? Too many parents have opted out of this campus and have either moved to a different Challenger campus or to a different school. We have been with the school for 7 years and have seen a gradual decline in its teaching quality. The dwindling count of good, experienced teachers is sadly alarming, especially in the higher grades. The Principal (aka Headmaster) is extremely diffident and lacks the skill sets to bring any positive changes. We stuck around for a long time hoping to see things turn around for the better. But with a looming middle school ahead, we finally took the plunge and have moved to a different campus this year. I hope the administrators put their acts together before it is too late!
--Submitted by a parent

This is great school. I have not had any negative experiences so far. My 4 year old son has learnt how to read upto 5 letter words and is writing well. The school has very high standards which is very good in my opinion. The only very minor issue I have is that they donot offer half day classes. The teachers have been awesome. They are fun and energetic.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school if you want to push your kid. No field trip ever, kids need to have fun sometimes. My kid has a hard time at school and then come to homework, it is just too overwhelming. I ask my kids if they wanted out, of course they said yes.
--Submitted by a parent

Challenger kids score over 90 percentile in SAT. In some cases over 95. In California where schools are worst in the nation, we need Challenger to compete at national level without paying 1 million dollars to be in Cupertino or Fremont. Challenger should however must make attempt to address the concerns raised by other reviewers. I hope they are listening.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to Challenger for 7 years and we were happy with the academics taught there. Very high standards. Now my son is there in Pre-K and needless to say we are definitely not keeping him there! The best teachers have quit or laid off and the management doesn't care about retaining them. Their attitude is take-it-or-leave it. And we're leaving! I would NOT recommend Challenger to anyone and believe me, we loved it at one time. I am now looking at other schools and hope my son doesn't have to endure any more of challenger.
--Submitted by a parent

This is not specific to this campus. It applies in general (I have friends from other campuses). I have two kids here, and I simply wish we had other choices. The Challenger System seems to be purely based on profit, and don't care about their customers' feedback. The attitude is like take it or leave it. They will change programs at will w/o informing parents. If parents want to raise concerns, they are only allowed to speak 1:1 and not as a group. Group gathering of parents are referred to as 'mobs' by the school management. It is pretty sad situation in how they treat the parents, and teachers. Also, there is high teacher turn-over. The best teachers leave very fast. One of my kids is top in her class from pre-k, so she ends up with top teachers for each year - but they all end up leaving..
--Submitted by a parent

Here are the facts: No free dress day except the last day of school. Winter and Spring Program are performed during class' music hour (30 minutes, then children are back to class for the next lesson) and children are still required to wear school uniform. Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, birthday parties... are non-existent because the school does not allow student/parent to bring food nor gifts to share with classmates. Middle School Dances are conducted during lunch time. No field trips. Every activities are conducted during school hours. School seem to shun parental involvement in school, but be prepare to get VERY involved in child's homework. Teachers, though may lack experience, have high academic expectations. Why pay tuition when you ended up home schooling your child or having to pay for a tutor after school?
--Submitted by a parent

Although I loved the high expectations and the strong curriculums Challenger had provided, Challenger's inability to retain quality teachers is changing my view. The new teachers are unable to deliver the strong curriculum. After 7+ years with Challenger, I am pulling 3 of my kids out.
--Submitted by a parent

Challenger started out with lofty goals. They always have had trouble keeping good teachers. The turnover is outrageous. The students aren't proud to be here. In my seven years with Challenger, I have only seen good teachers leave. Any school is made up of motivated teachers and the management has a very hard time understanding that at Challenger. I would not want my child to continue here.
--Submitted by a former student

Academics are high, but lack of science lab in middle school. Strict discipline. Zero parental involvement. Lack of caring and no sharing is allowed. Stunt the spirit and the creativity of a child.
--Submitted by a student