Challenge To Excellence Charter School

One thing we must remember about schools, especaily in Douglas County, is that you can never make everyone happy. In general you get out what you put in. In the day of entitlements and teachers teaching parents how to parent this school serves it's comunity with fling colors. I have one in, and one on the way and I am especaily pleased with how well they teach to the individual. The negative reveiws that I have read sound like poeple that can not handle accountability for themselfs or thier students. Over the last several years I have watched C2E build several programs and help students prosper. Are there other great schools out there? Yes, but i think no one cares as much for the students as C2E's teachers do.
--Submitted by a parent

I have taught at Challenge to Excellence for about 5 years. A lot of the criticism from 3-4 years ago is somewhat valid, but we have come a long way in the last 2 years. This is the best school I have taught at, the best principal I have worked for, and this has been the best year of my career. Do we still have faults? Yes. However here are some facts: there are more students now on Honor Roll than ever before, we do very well on CSAP testing compared to local schools, and our withdrawal rate has been dropping steadily over the past 2 years. More families are staying and as a result, we are at capacity with a long waiting list. Is this school the best for every student? No. You won't find a school that perfectly fits every students' needs. Is C2E worth considering for your child? Yes, it is, and you can ask for a tour during school hours to see for yourself.
--Submitted by a teacher

I have been very impressed with this school since my daughter started 3 years ago. She is now in middle school and thriving. She loves the middle school teachers and how they make learning fun. I like my daughter being at a smaller school where teachers know all of the kids personally. The music teacher is excellent. She has brought so much to the school in such a short amount of time. The programs that she puts together in band and the school concerts are top notch. Since everyone learns at a different pace I was looking for a school that would accommodate that and C2E has. They teach to the children s abilities and put them in the appropriate level. This is the 4th school my daughter has been at so I ve seen what s out there and C2E is one of the best.
--Submitted by a parent

Challenge to Excellence is a great school for elementary students but as soon as the child hits middle school it's all down hill. They pile alot of homework on you, and claim they are preparing you for high school but the truth is they are doing far from that. The middle school teachers gossip about the students even though they claim not to. The music teacher is ridiculous and gives out detentions like its candy on Halloween. the teachers humiliate students in front of their classmates, and get kids in trouble for no reason. do not send your children to this school.

I have watched teachers humiliate students on repeated occasions. The school is so intent on the idea that everyone needs to be at least a full grade ahead that they miss a lot of basics. Parents are expected to spend a LOT of their own time teaching what did not get taught in the classroom but got assigned as homework anyway, so if you don't have the time and/or ability to home-school in the evenings, this is not the school for you. There is very little communication between the teachers/administration and parents; teachers are very lax about keeping up with grades on parent portal. The dress code is simple and looks nice. Class size is usually under 25. If you like a classroom where the teacher will not be preoccupied by severely handicapped or autistic kids, this is the place for your kid. They do not allow anyone to tour the school during session, claiming it is a "distraction." We could have made a better decision for our family if we had been allowed an opportunity to see how the classes were conducted, and the "feel" of the energy in the halls. Our child is a high achiever and usually ends up in "gifted" classes but C2E just about broke this kid's enthusiasm for learning.
--Submitted by a parent

I think you are out of your mind...there are true leaders out there and she is not one of them.

I think that this school has the most wonderful PVA!!! The president of the PVA is the best thing that has happend to our school. My children have been atending Challenge to Excellence since it has oppened. The system is amazing. My kids love love love the school and i just wanted to give a big thanks to the PVA president of 2009, 2008, and 2007. All of the years with her parent volentenre assosiation. And also the years before when she headed the social comite!!!! She is our schools CHAMP!!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I believe this school goes above and beyond with the kids. I actually took my child out of a cherry creek elementary school because he didn't fit their box, so to speak. He is on a 504 and the staff does a lot to keep him on track. This school is not for the faint of heart though. It is 'challenging' and they expect a lot. How much you put in to your childs education will depend on how successful they are. I would say most of the children are doing math at least one grade level above their actual grade. This school was also named one of the nine for 'school of distinction' in the entire state for their CSAP scores. With three children in this school I can say it is great!
--Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with this school. My child is reading and doing math at the 1st Grade level in Kindergarten. Kudos to the principal and teachers. This is one of the only schools that still has specials such as P.E., Art, Music and Spanish. This school is the best.
--Submitted by a parent

I disagree with the person who wrote ...' if your child does not fit the mold then they are a problem . The school can not handle kids that need more time on projects or help during class.' could not be more wrong. My child is on a IEP and the school/teachers/administration have been great!This school cares about the kids and what they learn! We are starting our 3rd year at C2E and I only wish we would have started sooner!
--Submitted by a parent