Challenge School - any recent info? (how much, middle school, linear)

[Spartangarden]

Does anyone have recent feedback on the Challenge School? Our daughter was just accepted for first grade and we are looking for any recent insights specifically regarding the new principal, the consistency of teachers, and how much pressure there truly is. Any feedback would be great! Thank you.

[Mike from back east]

Until new info arrives in this thread, here's our former thread on the topic of Challenge School.

[Spartangarden]

Thanks. Was hoping for new info.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Originally Posted by Spartangarden

Thanks. Was hoping for new info.

I'll talk to my husband after our guests leave. He used to teach there and still keeps in touch with some of his fellow teachers. Check back here later.

[Spartangarden]

Thanks so much!

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Since the new principal came in, there has been a big change and a resulting lowering of standards. The Challenge School used to be successful because the teachers and administration could think outside of the box. For example, the children were placed in grade levels based on their performance and not on their age. So my husband would have 6,7, and 8 graders in one math class. Under the new principal they don't do this anymore and have gone to the old accepted standard that certain age groups can only be in specific classes.

Although Challenge is still placing high in test scores and other performance measures, they are no longer number one or two as they were consistently in the past. They still do have good teachers, but some of the ones who have been there under previous principals are unhappy. Your student will still get a better education, I believe, than at her regular assigned school.

What exactly do you mean by "pressure"? By being accepted into the school there is an expectation that your student will perform above others in the district. However, while there are highly motivated students who push themselves to perform at the top, not all of the students are straight A's.

[Moonwalkr]

I have a child who went through Challenge with the old principal and a current child there with the new principal. First let me say that it's still a good school academically. That said, the magnet part of the school has lost some of its luster. Yes the new principal is trying to make it more like other public schools and less like an innovative program. I will say I was not a fan of parents pushing their kids to skip a math grade every year until their kids are taking pre-calc by 8th grade, clearly there were many kids who were not ready and struggled when they got to high school. However there should be some latitude given to those students who clearly excel and have them continue at the accelerated pace.

Another issue I have with the current administration is the lack of consistency disciplining kids. They need to follow clearly written guidelines and enforce those policies instead of winging them. It's almost as if they are scared of offending minorities (race and religion) to the point of not properly enforcing appropriate punishments, as if it's a minority-privilege. I have no issues with it being a progressive diverse place, but I do take issues when unbalanced justice is meted out.

Your child will be very much integrated into the Challenge eco-system by starting out in First grade. Just make sure to keep them grounded; there's a very true maxim that Challenge kids display an air of superiority that a lot of kids at other schools don't like. When they get to high school, reality quickly sets in. The workload is not difficult nor heavy at Challenge, your task is to ensure that they are able to stick to task and stay organized, these are the most important skills to take to the next level. Work with your child to gain problem solving skills, because not all teachers are alike and more than likely she will need to be able to learn from the book or on her own with some classes starting in high school. You do not want to have to learn Linear Algebra to help her out!

Lastly only about 75% of the student population are considered 'high-achieving', the rest are lotto'ed off to the general population. So don't feel like there is undue pressure there, it's just like any elementary and middle school; there will be more social pressure than academic pressure.