Challenger School - Middlefield - Palo Alto, California

Qian L.

We had a horrible experience at the Palo Alto campus during our daughter's Open House visit. While my partner and I were speaking with the lead teacher of the 3-year-old classroom, another preschool teacher abruptly took away the toys our 2-year-old daughter was playing with and pushed her aside to organize chairs. This behavior was alarming, especially considering our daughter's young age. Having toured over 20 preschools in the Bay Area, we were shocked by this incident. Unfortunately, we didn't obtain the teacher's name at the time, but it has left a lasting impression. We would not feel confident entrusting our child's care to this school and would caution other parents considering enrollment to exercise caution.

Ting Liu

Challenger isn’t the best place for school but it doesn’t mean it’s a bad place. The teachers are very creative and helpful in our study’s even if one of them is a bit sensitive when people are within 6 ft(Ms Rusu). Everyone had their flaws ( sry ms Rusu I need to write someone down to convince people to go to challenger). As a student who has been there for 7ish years Challenger is a good place to go to. It is in the more expensive side but if you can afford it ( u probably can cause you live in the Bay Area) the curriculum is a good 2 to 3 years ahead of the normal public school.

Edit: sorry if I did any grammar mistakes( to mostly Mrs. Gokhale), my mom was rushing me to hurry up the entire time.

Roy

Absolutely wonderful school with amazing teachers. Ms. Gokhale, Ms. Naufahu, and Ms. Rusu are teachers who deeply impacted my life and allowed me to become the person I am today. I remember before Ms. Gokhale came to Challenger, I was failing all my English classes. However after Ms. Gokhale came to challenger I got all A’s (except for that pesky literature grade). Anyone who says otherwise is just trying to get attention and is wrong about what they said.

Teddy’s Life

My daughter loves this school and attending it since preschool. Teachers are very good and friendly. They teach kids in a fun and friendly environment especially phonics and grammar, math, logic, science and geography all learned in a fun way and she doesn't feel stressed out with lots of things learning at the same time. They not only focus academically, but also on extra curricular activities like Art, Singing, Sports, Public Speaking, Presentations, Writing Stories, Computers, Logic, Science Fairs etc. They also provide lots of activities during extended care time. My daughter finishes her homework, test preparations, etc during the extended time itself and is self reliant and independently performs her tasks without any help. The kids usually come from different cultures and my daughter is very happy to learn all the different cultures around the world. A strong foundation is built since her preschool and overall, we are very happy with our child's progress.

Maria Zhalnina

Updated: This school used to be great because of the great, kind and caring teachers. The director changed, and so did the atmosphere;( During the study-from-home times I had a chance to learn more about their program, and it is astonishing how outdated their learning methods are. Their program was based on pure repetition, no free thinking there, you just get your grades for meticulously following instructions. I pulled my kid out.

My old review from 3 years ago: This school is pure excellence! Kind and patient teachers know how to develop a stable interest in learning! My 6 y. o. has been going to Challenger since the age of 3 and does not want to hear of any other school. He and his school friends LOVE reading, writing, math, science, and are very proud of their achievements! Highly recommended!

Shri S

Challenger is an amazing school with focus on academic excellence. If you are a parent interested in providing a strong academic foundation for your child esp. in Math, English Grammar, Science, Coding, Logic, Speaking, Writing...then Challenger is the place. Great teachers and caring staff.

Aditya Deshpande

I went to this school and have never experienced a more harsh, anti student, and overall bafflingly terrible school. The amount of stress that I went through as a 12 year old I would not wish upon my worst enemy. The fact that they charge for this school is absolutely ridiculous

Michael Wright

Best curriculum, teaching, and activities available. Challenging academically. My 22 year old went through the Challenger program, and my 9 years old went from 3 years old through 8 years old - until we relocated out of state. Far exceeds government schools in every way. Barbara Baker is perhaps the greatest contributor to the improvement of human kind and our children of anyone today. They teach the majority of the day, in contrast with public schools, where actual active teaching averages about an hour a day, the rest of the day being for correcting each other's homework, watching the tattooed young adults with their anti-bullying message implemented as lame rap lyrics and singing, basically being an entertainer rather than a teacher. Kids know when their teacher is actually teaching important stuff versus all the other lowest common denominator fluff, and they love the teachers that care enough to teach them well.