Summary

Contact Info

Challenger School (Cox Ave.)
18811 Cox Avenue
Saratoga , CA 95070
www.challengerschool.com

Tel: (408) 378-0444

Director: Sue Elliott

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.)

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

February 1

Key Statistics

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 9 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

08/2008 - 06/2009

Summer Program

06/2008 - 08/2008

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 1

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- 7:00 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: Late pick-up fees are effective the first day of school. Parents who arrive to pick up children after the regular class departure time (as stated in the school's arrival and departure schedule sent in July) will be charged these late fees: 5-10 minutes late = $5; 11-20 minutes late = $10; and $5 for every 10 minutes thereafter. Parents who arrive to pick up children after the extended class departure time of 6 PM will be charged late fees as follows: $5 per child, per teacher for every 5 minutes, or part thereof, past 6 PM. Late fees are paid to the teachers when the child is picked up.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Teach religious concepts

No

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.0)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Our mission is to:
-- Prepare children to become self-reliant, productive individuals;
-- To teach them to think, speak, and write with clarity, precision, and independence;
-- And to inspire them to embrace challenge and find joy and self-worth through achievement

Extracted from www.challengerschool.com

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (2.0)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Awareness of others’ feelings

Cooperation with other children

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					YES
Oral language	-	-		-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-		-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-		-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-	-		-	n/a

Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-	-		-	YES
Time & space	-	-		-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-		-	-
Music	-	-		-	YES

Visual arts	-	-		-	-
Physical activity	-		-	-	YES

Other subjects taught					n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
I will say that at this school, children learn through play, song, and having fun. I believe it is teacher initiated, but the kids have fun, too.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.2)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
My youngest daughter is the only child I have in preschool. She has a room teacher and a teacher's aide. The T.A. is much younger and is a bit more patient and understanding with the children. The teacher is from another culture, and I feel she treats the children the way it is done in her culture. It's not bad in any way; just different.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.5)

Conducts an open house at start of school year

Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year

Conducts regular parent teacher conferences

Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year

Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year

Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are encouraged to drop-in during specific times

General Parent Education

-This preschool does not conduct parent education classes

-This preschool does not connect parents with services and activities that can help you help your child develop better at home

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (2.0)

Parents:

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Receive newsletters

- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (3.8)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled well in a way that gives me confidence in the safety of my child

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Safety

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 5 years to --		Mon 12:45pm - 3:45pm Tue 12:45pm - 3:45pm Wed 12:45pm - 3:45pm Thu 12:45pm - 3:45pm Fri 12:45pm - 3:45pm	$7100/Year
From 4 years to --		Mon 7am - 6pm Tue 7am - 6pm Wed 7am - 6pm Thu 7am - 6pm Fri 7am - 6pm	$15312/Year
From 5 years to --		Mon 8:45am - 11:45am Tue 8:45am - 11:45am Wed 8:45am - 11:45am Thu 8:45am - 11:45am Fri 8:45am - 11:45am	$7100/Year
From 4 years to --		Tue 12:45pm - 3:45pm Thu 12:45pm - 3:45pm	$2850/Year
From 4 years to --		Tue 8:45am - 11:45am Thu 8:45am - 11:45am	$2850/Year
From 4 years to --		Mon 12:45pm - 3:45pm Wed 12:45pm - 3:45pm Fri 12:45pm - 3:45pm	$4250/Year
From 4 years to --		Mon 8:45am - 11:45am Wed 8:45am - 11:45am Fri 8:45am - 11:45am	$4250/Year
From 3 years to --		Mon 12:45pm - 3:45pm Tue 12:45pm - 3:45pm Wed 12:45pm - 3:45pm Thu 12:45pm - 3:45pm Fri 12:45pm - 3:45pm	$7100/Year
From 3 years to --		Mon 8:45am - 11:45am Tue 8:45am - 11:45am Wed 8:45am - 11:45am Thu 8:45am - 11:45am Fri 8:45am - 11:45am	$7100/Year
From 3 years to --		Tue 12:45pm - 3:45pm Thu 12:45pm - 3:45pm	$2850/Year
From 3 years to --		Tue 8:45am - 11:45am Thu 8:45am - 11:45am	$2850/Year
From 3 years to --		Mon 12:45pm - 3:45pm Wed 12:45pm - 3:45pm Fri 12:45pm - 3:45pm	$4250/Year
From 3 years to --		Mon 8:45am - 11:45am Wed 8:45am - 11:45am Fri 8:45am - 11:45am	$4250/Year

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

A Half-Day Preschool Extended Activity option is available and lets morning preschoolers arrive as early as 7:00 AM and allows afternoon preschoolers to stay as late as 6 PM.

Half-Day Extended Preschool Option:
2-day A.M. or P.M. session: $1270/year
3-day A.M. or P.M. session: $1700/year
5-day A.M. or P.M. session: $3700/year

Calendar Year

School Year

08/2008 - 06/2009

Summer Program

06/2008 - 08/2008

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.)

There is a wait list for upcoming school year.

Parent visits tours are: Recommended

Child interview process: Possible, at school's discretion and takes the form of either teacher-child or director-child

Deadline for applications: February 1

Application fee: $100 registration fee plus $20 non-refundable app fee

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective based on sibling priority, child's aptitude

Notification occurs: Notification of acceptance will be made after March 1.

Deposit required: 200 prepaid tuition

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 9 months to enroll.

Child must be potty trained to enroll.

Enquiries accepted on a rolling basis.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
It helped that she was my 2nd child to go there. I think I had a bit of an edge over new parents. What I found very interesting was that there were a lot of returning families with younger kids applying as did their older sibs.