based on 16 reviews
Challenger School
730 Camina Escuela
San Jose, CA
95129
(708) 213-0083
By: parent
Date: July, 2006
Excellent, excellent, excellent! My child has learned tons from this wonderful school! Every penny I have spent for my daughter have paid off. I recommend this great school to everyone!
By: parent
Date: April, 2007
Everything is excellent about the Berryessa Challenger school - the improvement needed is on the extracurricular activity front. Options are too few.
By: parent
Date: April, 2007
The principal, preschool director, and most of the staff at this Challenger (Berryessa) are excellent. Teaching style is very good -- the kids learn a lot without feeling pressured in the classroom. The teachers always encourage a level playing field, hence do not expect the kids to do more than the daily homework (from first grade). The one aspect that has a lot of room for improvement is providing a variety of extracurricular activity choices. Currently they do have basketball, mad science, journalism (this is very good), karate and chess bu there is no opportunity o explore creative talent required for drama, dance, music, games and there are very few games other than basketball.
By: parent
Date: December, 2006
Very happy with Challenger. Will continue in Challenger in elementary & beyond.
By: parent
Date: September, 2006
In Kindergarten: PROS: Music daily, science, art, logic, geography every week. Kids reading by first week- very academically challenging. Very diverse. Teachers are kind and professional and seem interested in the individual child and teaching them to be good citizens. Bi-weekly assemblies with whole school. CONS: Academically 'challenging'- perhaps overly so. Supported by parents who value that. They SAT test Kindergarteners! The administration is very rigid. The admin postion is one of 'letting' you be there rather than appreciating you have entrusted your child to them. Allow no parent involvement on campus but expect alot at home. Use really rude and inefficient uniform company. Conclusion: Wonderful teachers, great Saxon math, music, phonics. Very demanding. Admin not glad you are there. Teach good citizenry and independence. Teachers responsive to parents.
By: parent
Date: January, 2007
My kid is going to this school as preschooler since she was 2 yr.9 mo. She loves it.. She has made many friends over there and does not stop talking about how much fun she has at school.. Now she want to go for 3 days a week from 2 days a week..
By: Your Neighbor
Date: April, 2008
I dont send my kids here, but I have lot of
friends who send their kids there.
My friends send their kids to challenger school Beryessa and the parents
and kids are both stressed. They cant even
spare even one day in weekday to comeout
and enjoy. Why, becoz everyday they have
tests and homework. This is at the first grade
level :).
By: parent
Date: March, 2007
I have 2 kids in elementary. They have always loved Challenger until last year and this year. Challenger has changed for the worse. Teachers here seem to come and go so often, chances are you won't be seing the same one next year either. Strict military style discipline that will demoralize any child.
By: parent
Date: May, 2007
Here are the facts: No free dress day except the last day of school. Winter and Spring Program are performed during class' music hour (30 minutes, then children are back to class for the next lesson) and children are still required to wear school uniform. Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, birthday parties... are non-existent because the school does not allow student/parent to bring food nor gifts to share with classmates. Middle School Dances are conducted during lunch time. No field trips. Every activities are conducted during school hours. School seem to shun parental involvement in school, but be prepare to get VERY involved in child's homework. Teachers, though may lack experience, have high academic expectations. Why pay tuition when you ended up home schooling your child or having to pay for a tutor after school?
By: former student
Date: March, 2007
I am a former student of this school, and the its academics are high, but the teaching methods are low. I would not recommend this school to anyone.
By: parent
Date: April, 2007
Parents looking for highly structured education will love it. Demanding curriculum, less emphasis on sport and cultural activities, teachers have tons of things to take care of. This program exhausts kids.Very friendly front desk staff , but cannot say same about others. Parent-teacher meetings seems to be one-sided, teachers are hardly excited to listen to your suggestions. Homework is another problem. Kids spend around 20 minutes in preschool, 45 minutes in Grade 1 and thereafter on homework. If you want better grades go for it, but if you want all round development of your kid check other schools.
By: parent
Date: April, 2007
Although I loved the high expectations and the strong curriculums Challenger had provided, Challenger's inability to retain quality teachers is changing my view. The new teachers are unable to deliver the strong curriculum. After 7+ years with Challenger, I am pulling 3 of my kids out.
By: former student
Date: April, 2007
Challenger started out with lofty goals. They always have had trouble keeping good teachers. The turnover is outrageous. The students aren't proud to be here. In my seven years with Challenger, I have only seen good teachers leave. Any school is made up of motivated teachers and the management has a very hard time understanding that at Challenger. I would not want my child to continue here.
By: student
Date: March, 2007
Academics are high, but lack of science lab in middle school. Strict discipline. Zero parental involvement. Lack of caring and no sharing is allowed. Stunt the spirit and the creativity of a child.
By: Your Neighbor
Date: September, 2008
Very bad school when it comes to morality. This school is nothing but money minded. If you get a good teacher for your kid you are lucky because good techers don't stay there for too long.
