Middlefield

We are incredibly happy with our experience at Challenger School in Palo Alto. Our son is thriving here, and we have been consistently impressed by the balance of strong academics and character development. The school excels in maintaining high standards for discipline and academics, but they also do a wonderful job with sports, art, and extracurriculars to ensure the kids have a well-rounded experience. A huge shout-out to the Program Director, Ms. Madhavi, and the class teachers Ms. Markaj, Ms. Vasquez, Ms. Arjun and Ms. Srivastava for their dedication and hard work. They, along with so many other teachers and staff members, go above and beyond to support the students. We highly recommend this school to any parent looking for a structured and nurturing environment!

We are so grateful to have Miss Sonali and Miss Stacy guiding our child at Challenger. Their dedication to academic excellence combined with their genuine care for the students is truly remarkable. Since being in their class, our child has shown incredible progress in both confidence and academic skills. Miss Sonali's structured approach and Miss Stacy's encouraging nature make a perfect team. Thank you for creating such a positive and inspiring learning environment!

Choosing the Challenger School at Middlefield Campus for our daughter's preschool has been the best decision we could have made for her. Our younger daughter joined as the youngest student in her class, and like any parents, we were initially anxious about how she would adapt to a new environment. Those worries disappeared almost immediately thanks to the incredible staff. Her teachers, Ms. Azita and Ms. Melissa, are truly wonderful. They treat our daughter with genuine affection, patience, and kindness every single day. Whether it’s a tough morning or a moment of nerves, they take the time to speak gently and make her feel safe. It speaks volumes that she comes home every day with a smile on her face (and clean clothes!). She is now at a point where she looks forward to school and comes home "bubbling" with stories about her day. The school is led by a fantastic team. Mrs. Sharon, the Director, maintains open, transparent, and warm communication with us, providing timely updates on our daughter's progress. The Headmaster, Mrs. Outhabong, is equally kind; her habit of greeting our daughter with a warm hug makes her feel loved and secure from the moment she walks in. The results in just three months have been astounding: she went from not recognizing letters to proudly winning the "Alphabet Crown." She can now count numbers clearly and confidently. Beyond academics, we’ve seen a huge spark in her curiosity and creativity. She is eager to explore new activities and is constantly comparing and questioning the world around her. We have full confidence that our daughter will continue to thrive here. Thank you, Challenger, for nurturing her growth and making her feel so at home!

Our kid is graduating 8th grade this year, bringing an end to a wonderful journey at Challenger that began back in preschool. As we prepare him for high school, we can clearly see how the school’s foundation has shaped him into a confident, academic student. We are particularly grateful for the leadership of Mrs. Rita. She has cultivated an environment of discipline and academic rigor that is consistent and supportive. Her leadership ensures that the school delivers on its promise of excellence every single day. On the academic front, I want to specifically thankful to middle school math teacher Mrs. Rusu. She did not just teach the curriculum; she ignited a genuine passion for mathematics in our kid . Thanks to her encouragement and teaching style, he developed the confidence to pursue competitive math, which has become a huge part of his identity. Equally impactful was Mrs. Basler in Language Arts. Writing and composition are critical skills, and she helped our kid refine his voice and structure his thoughts effectively. Her guidance has been instrumental as he writes his high school admission essays this year. Challenger has prepared our kid not just for high school, but for life. We are thankful to the entire team for these 11 enriching years.

Great experience for over 5 years! Both of my sons have attended this school for several years (5 years and 3 years), and we couldn't be happier. The teachers are top-notch and the curriculum is excellent—my kids especially enjoy the math and computer classes. ​One of the biggest surprises was the homework load. Despite what I had heard, it is very manageable, and my children usually finish everything during extended care. We also love the balance of arts and music, including the regular recitals. The annual science fair is a highlight for our family! If you want a school with a strong academic backbone that still makes time for art and science, this is the place.