Challenger School - Silverado

The school academics are wonderful-if that's all your looking for! There are no extracurricular activities and the children are repromanded for having their own thoughts and opinions if they do not coincide with the 'Challenger Way'. Yes they teach your children to read and yes they teach your children math- but do they teach your children not to be a Challenger Military robot? NO
—Submitted by a parent

The school does exactly what is expected of it by teaching independence, self-reliance, and 'logical skills'. Our son is 4 years old and is already reading to us. He returns home sharing with us his experience of science and math. Please keep in mind, the school has expectations of the parents and that is to assist with the learning process; that is what we do.
—Submitted by a parent

Not great!!! Saxon Math and Modern Press English is what they teach. Looks like ghost posts on this forum by school staff.
—Submitted by a parent

I find it appalling that people complain on here and yet still send their children. GO see for yourself and meet the incredibly dynamic administration, the friendly front office staff and the wonderful teachers. (Many of whom have been there for the 5 years my children have been attending.) In fact, the only time my preschooler had a new teacher was because his previous teacher became deathly ill. This school teaches responsibility, independence and high levels of academics. My children's biggest complaint is that they don't want to leave extended care! You hear it all the time. This school has been a rock for my family. Many valuable members of our community send their children here for the same reasons my husband and I do. See it for yourself folks..Go and take a tour! Hands down-the BEST education in the valley. Thank you Challenger!
—Submitted by a parent

I love Challenger school. My only complaint is that there isn't enough parent/teacher communication. They push the children hard but with my kids that works well. They put a lot of fun into the learning though wish is great. My daughter loves it too.
—Submitted by a parent

I Love this school...My child is thriving and soaking up knowledge like a sponge. They use music to teach and my girl loves it.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's 6th year at Challenger. We have been at the school since he was three years old. We completed the pre-school program and he is now in third grade. I also have another child now enrolled in pre-school. The curriculum is phenomenal, the teachers are amazing. We have had great years and one year that was not so hot. There have been complaints about the staff turnover or lack of extracurriculars on campus. That being said, every school has a bit of administration issues. The curriculum is what really sets Challenger apart. We are paying a lot of money to send our kids to a school that is focused on results, personal responsibility, choices and hard core academics. The school is highly successful there. We can get the sports, music and art outside of campus and our family does. This is the best education we've found in Vegas.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children are enrolled in Challenger. They are enjoying the school and their teachers. We have been very impressed with how much our children are learning. Our kindergartener is reading at a second grade level. The only problem is the staffing issues. My son has had five teachers the last three years, of which three have left. My daughter has been with the school five weeks and already has lost a teacher. 2 kindergarten teachers left last week, as well. Is it the administration? If they are as difficult for the teachers to deal with as they are the parents, I would say 'yes'. There is a lack of concern on the adminsration's part when it comes to the parents. As a parent, I would do anything for the betterment of my children, but I have found Challenger's policies and lack of respect from the administration tough to take.
—Submitted by a parent

After removing my daughter from 2 schools in 1 year, the 1st another private school, the 2nd a public school that was suppossed to be better than the rest. They lost her physically 2 times, without any worry. I pulled her. I took 2 months checking out many private schools. I finally found Challenger and placed her. She has been learning some amazing things and she LOVES school! I am disappointed in the after school, or non-extra activities, they are very expensive and not worth it. However, my experiences with the front desk staff, not always good, but the teachers she has had, have been wonderful! I admitt it is a problem once she gets to 3rd grade, then were do we go? Overall, I love the learning environment, but the price is going up yearly and the staff ever changing?
—Submitted by a parent

I have had all 3 of my children attend this particular campus. Both my husband and I are physicians in Las Vegas, and we value education. The majority of our colleauges and friends agree that this is the greatest program in not only Vegas, but the country. You can not refute the results, they are the best. Make an educated decision and see for yourself how this program ranks.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started preschool at Challenger at the age of 3, and she just completed the 1st Grade. Although their Preschool program through Kindergarten is phenominal, the administrative problems, high turnover by the teachers, etc. that they have evperienced this past year have forced us to remove her from the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing experience! My son is actually reading at four years old-- it's amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent, academically-focused school that stresses self-reliance and logical reasoning in its curriculum. If attendance is declining it is because the school refuses to lower scholastic standards to ameliorate the objections of malcontent parents. The culture here is not 'social,' but the school delivers the promised product.
—Submitted by a parent

Horribly disappointed. Poor administration, their best teachers have been leaving and their declining attendance is hurting the level of materials available for learning.
—Submitted by a parent

As a Challenger parent, I have found that it is sometimes necessary to tell the administration if my child's homework load is excessive. I understand that homework should not take more than an hour at Challenger. If it takes longer, you should talk to the teacher or the principal. Also, if my child focuses on completing his homework, and doesn't watch tv, play games, etc, he is able to finish much faster. This school is not for everyone, but I'm so happy my family chose to go.
—Submitted by a parent

I have multiple children attending Challenger. My decision was initially based on national results and statistics. There is no question that the curriculum and what your children retain is amazing. However, I spend 2 hours most evenings making sure my children get the curriculum versus the teacher doing it in class. .
—Submitted by a parent

It is so hard to find a school that delivers on its promise; a solid education for our nations future. Public schools continue to fail parents, and private schools are too often carbon copies of those failing public schools. Challenger provides an amazing education! Challenger focuses on delivering the foundation children need to be successful later in life; thinking skills and a desire to continue learning. The emphasis is on achievement! The Silverado location is doing a great job of keeping true to Challenger's mission. I highly recommend touring and signing your child(ren) up at this school! Sincerely, A very satisfied and relieved parent
—Submitted by a parent

Challenger's priorities are not in the children who walk thru the door for their education. It is the funds their parents bring to the school. Never have I seen a more unorganized, mismanaged staff. There are a handful of great teachers there who really do care about their students which makes it unfortunate to have incompetent Directors, Principals and front desk staff representing the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very happy with my child's progress. I have been at other private schools but this is the only one where my daughter loves to go to school, and where I see amazing progress. This school is really not for every family because your child will experience success and failure.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been attending Challenger since preschool and I must say that it is the best school hands down. Even though there are not many extra curricular activities, my child and I can go elsewhere for the 'extra's'. No other private school in the valley offers the academics that Challenger does, and no one teaches the self reliance and discipilne like they do. They never stray from the mission. If you are a parent looking for the 'social' aspect of school, you can go to the competetion, but if you are serious about education, this is the route to take.
—Submitted by a parent