Challenge To Excellence Charter School

This school has been an excellent choice for my family. We came from private schools and have not been disappointed. The teachers and staff care about each and every student. My children are now in high school and are so thankful for having been at Challenge To Excellence. They left C2E prepared and ready for high school. You need to see for yourself that this is the school you should choose for your children. I am so glad that we did!
—Submitted by a parent

I was happy with thisC2E originally as my child attended this school for a few early years. Over time, it seemed that the teachers did not put in the effort, and I definitely think that some teachers care more than others. It wasn't until we got to a new school that I discovered that some of the fundamentals were never taught at this school. Overall, not a great school, but not terrible either - Just very average. Looking at the newness of the building, and the wait list to get in is very deceiving as there are much better public schools in Douglas County.
—Submitted by a parent

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

Agreed the school is challenge to excellence, however, 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. I met several times with the staff and if you have a full time career run from this school. In my experience I was with the school for three years and it got worse not better. The interim principal tries really hard but the school is lacking passion and caring from the teachers. No child left behind does not apply to this school. When I notified the school that we would not be returning, the principal called my son the next day to say what a great month he had???
—Submitted by a parent

Although the current principle couldn't be worse, the teachers are ok. The only sports this school comepetes in are Flag Football, Basketball,and Volleyball.
—Submitted by a student

My son is in sixth grade now and we have been at this school since forth grade. This has been a wonderful school for my son, he is not been bored. Academically it is great! This is the second year of middle school sport teams for boys and girls. They are still working all the kinks out, but its still Fun! There is a school play and science fair each year for the kids to be in. I have another son who will start kindergarten next year and I cannot wait. Its still a young school but it's growing and getting better each year.
—Submitted by a parent

When I read the reviews calling teachers 'militaristic' or saying that the teachers should do more to help the children that fall behind and give less homework, I can only sigh. This school is fantastic! Yes, it is tough. Yes, they ask a lot of the kids. Yes, they are challenged- Challenged to excellence. Our kids are meeting the challenges and are very proud of their hard work. When parents make excuses for their children, they aren't doing them any favors- the real world doesn't work that way. Our kids have had to work very hard and are quite proud of how they have met all of their goals. We are grateful that this school exists.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been a big disappointment. Seems very militarist and the teachers, especially the middle school teachers, do not connect with the kids. One of the worst schools we have been in. Staff/teachers very disorganized.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe some of the teachers need to put less stress on the children by giving less homework and helping kids who are falling behind this would improve this school greatly
—Submitted by jordan carson, a student

Nice Charter School. Current Director is not the best, but next year 2006/2007 will have new director and hopefully things will improve. Some great teachers, some not so great. They have increased class size from the original 22 limit, so that is a drawback. New school building, nice facilities. Not much in extra curricular activities. Small school atmosphere is nice. Overall better than neighborhood school.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, higher expectations of students as individuals and as a group than public schools offer. Uniform/dress code is awesome. Great new building,built winter 2005. Lots of new clubs being formed. School admin is still working out ways to communicate and involve parents, new principal to start in fall 06 will help with that I think. Great spanish program and a very diverse bunch of kids for Douglas Co! Parents are required to give 20 volunteer hours per year...harder than you think if you have a career or younger non-school age kids to juggle around. The website for the school is poor, but is on the list to be improved. I am surprised test scores on Csap aren't higher..truly not representative of what these kids know. I love this school, bummed that we have to move away. Would totally recommend.
—Submitted by a parent