Challenge Charter School

The academic program is great. The extracurricular activities are limited. Parental involvement is strongly discouraged. There is no PTA and parents are not even allowed to speak at the monthly "School Advisory" meetings. At the last meeting, the founder even yelled at parents wanted to speak and told them to "go somewhere else".

Sadly, I would have to agree with the previous poster about the discouragement of true parental involvement. They have implemented a new uniform policy dictating that all uniforms have to be purchased from one supplier. Many parents tried to comment that the economy is not in a place where parents can afford to pay 2 times more to replace perfectly good uniforms that they already have purchased. Sadly, we were told that the decision was made and it wasn't up for discussion.

I agree with the previous two reviews, but I do still think the school has its merits. We've had our son there for 5 years. The academics are great, as well as the teachers. The extracurricular activities are pretty scarce, though. There is no music program. Also, my son wanted to join the computer club, but with a change of technology teacher, the club was disbanded two years ago. The facilities are kept in excellent condition. As for parental involvement, I have spent many hours in the classrooms volunteering over the years. From my own experience, the parents are treated with respect. Because this school is privately owned, the administrators do call the shots. That's not necessarily bad, but it does limit the say of parents. I'm not happy with the decision about the uniforms coming from one source, either. But you have to weigh the importance of it, and we decided that the fine academics override the overpriced uniforms. No school is perfect, and Challenge Charter School is no exception. But the bottom line is this: The administrators of this school have the best interests of our children at heart and do their very best with the limited funding that they get to provide a fine academic environment. My son loves it there and is thriving. He's getting a great academic education with lots of encouragement, and it's all in a safe environment. To me, that's what is important.

This is a great school if your child is extremely intelligent, but if they need some extra help good luck in getting it. If you take a complaint to the office you will be treated like crap if it's a teacher that is the administrators friend. They have no loyalty to their teachers unless the teacher is also their friend. I know of a few former teachers that were top of the line.Any school would be lucky to have them and Challenge let them go for no good reason. They have no loyalty to parents either. It's all about them and their test scores. Former parent

Like any school, there will always be parents who love it or have something negative to say. CCS is a great school, and most parents would agree, as it has a long wait list of students hoping to get in. These upset parents must have liked it, too, at one point if they CHOSE it for their student(s). My daughter has had a great experience with wonderful teachers and staff. Parents should remember that if they aren't happy they do have the right to "go someplace else"- which may not mean you are not appreciated, but may mean you don't appreciate what you have. If you come from a district school, be prepared that there are differences- costly uniforms, not as much parent input, etc. But you also get a great school that does not tolerate bullying, poor behavior (from students or parents), and very dedicated teachers.

I am one of the 2 Founders of CCS and it is very disappointing when you read the "thumbs down" reviews. I can see where some parents have a problem with being held accountable for their role in educating their children and blame the school for their lack of responsibility. Usually the "Lack of help" complaint is backed up with "I am too busy to work with the school for the benefit of my child". Over the last 20 years, parents who want more Parent Involvement usually want to "Change the strong pillars that make this school successful" Such as: "Change the uniform policy so I can save $2.00", without ever understanding how that policy is tied directly to the school's discipline policy and crates a level playing field for every student. As for teachers only getting to stay if they are "friends" with an administrator makes me laugh. Here you have to perform both academically and within the overall school culture. We are team based and expect our employees to make good and safe decisions about school activities, especially where they concern children. And yes we expect our teachers and our students to commit to academic excellence and achievement. If we were only about test scores, how come we are the only elem. school in AZ to be recognized for our Civic Engagement by the AZ Dept. of Education? Why did over 200 parents & students respond to a 4th grade students call to let the City Council know about his (& everyone else's) disappointment when the D.A.R.E. police program was being cut in the City's budget? Why have the 2 teams from Challenge that entered the Honeywell/Fiesta Bowl Aerospace Challenge placed 1st and 2nd in the Statewide competition among hundreds of 6 thru 8 grade teams? This is not a school where the winds of parent discontent change policy, but it is a school that listens to & processes input, and we will implement positive change that is good for kids.

My child is in kindergarten at CCS this year. So far we are pleased with the school. The first week was a big transition for us compared to the public half day preschool. All the worksheets and homework seemed like a lot, but we've all adjusted. When I mention all the work he does, it is always a point of pride for him. The school is costly for our budget (school uniforms, lunch fees, all day kindergarten fees, after school elective activities), but it seems to be paying off. I plan on continuing my son's enrollment for first grade.

I agree with the posts that commented on the school involvement with parents. Concerns are usually ridiculed by the administration. Take it or leave it mentality with absurd replies. Academic success is one thing but working with parents is as important.

I really don''t have the words. Well, I do but they are not nice ones and mama always said if you don't have anything nice to say, don''t say it at all. So I will just leave a compliment for Jack. He is such a nice guy.