Challenger Middle School

10810 Parkdale Avenue

School District

San Diego Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for San Diego Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 07, 2024

Never send your children to this school constant bullying teachers do not help racism is thriving they do not want to listen to anyone
Submitted by student on September 14, 2022

this school is nice and the teachers are nice too. However some of the older kids/8th graders aren't the nicest to the new 6th graders. And so far the time I've been here there's only been 1 fight. Also, the lunch food is pretty bad, and I don't like how the school has the ability to spy on your chromebook screen. I'm just hoping they can't access your camera. And the music program is a 10/10. Going to music class at this school is one of the highlights of my day. Anyways this is a pretty good school!!
Submitted by student on September 01, 2022

This school is amazing. If you want your child to have amazing electives, caring teachers, and awesome grades, then this is the school for you.There are no fights or anything of the sort. Students are calm and collected.Teachers are friendly and helpful. There are no problems here with teachers.The school gives students the resources they need AND also helps them learn about other cultures and people different from them. Also has amazing mental health support.And as for the electives, they are AMAZING. I am in Advanced Band, and the class is taught by a very instructive teacher. I recomendó this school greatly if you want YOUR child to have THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE.- From a current star student
Submitted by other on July 18, 2021

Challenger Middle school is awful. The school focuses on equity over education, and is obsessed with Critical Race Theory. We had two children in this school and were shocked at what we saw during Covid's Online Learning. Rather than teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic the school focuses on systemic racism with after school clubs that turns your little one from a social activist into a political agitator. The school has all the resources needed to be a great, but those resources are wasted on the Teacher's Union's political agenda. There are some good teachers at Challenger, but those poor souls are over-shadowed by more activist teachers and management. Challenger Middle school is a mess, and we can no longer allow our children to be subjected to this level of indoctrination.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2020

My child just completed 6th grade and had a great experience with both the teachers and students. I will be sorry to see the current principal leave and hope the new principal will be just as good.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2020

Excellent school. My son "promoted" from Challenger last year and is now in high school. Excellent school with very dedicated teachers and a wonderful community. My son, who is socially awkward and had trouble his whole life in school with the other students said "bullying is literally not a thing, it is amazing"
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2020

The office staff are rude and CLEARLY despise young people and parents.I don't know how much they pay the receptionist but I'm sure Alexa or Siri could offer more insightful advice." the Hispanic woman is rude and ignores you! if you don't like your job and dealing with people please go away, you are at the wrong job, his attitude is completely unacceptable, he has a rude tone of voice, gestures and fatal scatters that make you very uncomfortable.I really don't know where they find these people!!!
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2018

My son is just finishing his first year at Challenger. We could not be happier with his experience. Most of the teachers are phenomenal and very caring, he was challenged, but not overly so. The iPads with access to all his school work were a god send. He was quite sick for over a month and missed a lot of school, but was able to maintain straight A’s, never falling behind. Mr. Espenlaub and Ms. Cutter are his absolute favorites, he just adores them. You can tell they truly care about their students.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2015

This school keeps going downhill in my opinion. The school actually suspended my child for a fight that they were not around nor involved in . My child was taking a test at the time and the principal explained after I complained that due to my child having a "reputation" for being aggressive they will still be suspended! I tried to fight it but the principal here reminded me "I will never win because no one ever does" and it would be a waste of my time. OMG, I tried anyway with backup paperwork but the principal was correct. After 5 months on the districts desk they said too bad with no explanation. Very, very disappointing school over and over with Challenger.
Submitted by teacher on April 11, 2014

Teachers here are dedicated professionals who challenge students to meet the highest standards while supporting students in their efforts to achieve. The community is a strong supporter of Band and Orchestra, and the high rate of student participation is a major part of the success of students and the school as a whole.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2014

Challenger MS is not parent friendly. The teachers are OK but the VP is happy to put kids in detention or ISS for practically no reason. The teachers (most) refuse to update the online homework assignments and use the excuse that the kids need to mature and take more notes. The parents need to see assignments every night if they are involved. The past VP had a clue and understood the kids better than any other VP I've seen. I dont trust my child will be ready for HS with this MS
Submitted by teacher on April 08, 2014

Challenger Middle School is a place where students are pushed to do well, where the students and staff work as a team for the good of the school and where high expectations and high achievement are at the forefront of the school experience. The teachers are dedicated and caring. They take advantage of professional development opportunities so as to keep abreast of the changes that are happening in education, such as Common Core and Next Generation Science.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

I am thoroughly disappointed in the total lack of feedback that the teachers give to the parents. It's not just one teacher, but all of my son's teachers fail to let me know if/when my child is behind in class. This is unacceptable to me. Part of being a teacher is to make sure that the students are keeping up, and if that is not the case - the teacher should reach out to the parent(s). I should not find out after the fact. The next step will be discussing these issues with the Principal.
Submitted by other on September 25, 2013

This is a great school. Good education, and the teachers push us to the very tip of the peak to help us real our most important goal in life. I am glad that I am a part of it.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2013

Currently I have one child enrolled in 7th grade and one who graduate from Challenger. My high school student was well prepared by Challenger for what is expected in high school. My 7th grader requires some additional tutoring due to dyslexia. The staff is very supportive and if you reach out to them they are very responsive. Yes, they require students to have their PE clothes but that is essentially part of their homework. They are no longer babies and are being prepared for their futures. Being prepared for class is part of this. They do have a zero tolerance policy for bullying which is strictly enforced, as are several other rules. I have met with office staff on different occasions and have found them to be strict but fair and reasonable. Keep in mind when reading these reviews that there are 2 middle schools in town and for some reason there is quite a rivalry between them but once they are at the high school no one (teachers or students) cares which middle school anyone went to. Overall, Challenger is doing a great job ushering students out of elementary and in to high school.
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2013

This school sucks. First of all, these teachers can put you in detention for anything even for the most stupidest reasons. The teachers are rude and inconsiderate here. There is a big bullying issue here. One time, there was even a fight between these two girls and everyone surrounding them didn't do anything! The teachers would ridicule a student in front of the whole class, and everyone of course would laugh. PE teachers are very strict on wearing your uniform and will most likely drop you down by one letter grade if you aren't wearing the correct WHITE SOCKS and for girls with long hair, they'd get in trouble because they forget to bring a HAIR TIE. Parents, if you are deciding between Challenger and Wangenheim, please enroll to Wangenheim, the best decision ever for my child.