Challenger School - Sandy Elementary School

10685 S 1000 E

Sandy, UT 84094

29 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 22, 2024

My children went to Challenger for a few months and I pulled them out. I realized many of their classmates/friends have no basic life skills especially communication. They can study well on the subjects they were taught in school. But many of them have no other interests and knowledge on other things outside of school. When they have conflicts, they don't have the right skill to solve the issues. A few of the students in the same class go to therapy regularly. Some of the students don't come to school to avoid tests. I didn't want my kids to only be able to solve math questions but not be able to handle life challenges.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2024

Horrible school! They keep pressuring kids and parents. They just want money. There ceo Mary Gourgeon treats people like trash as she is the owner so she feels she has no consequences to her attitude.
Submitted by student on November 12, 2022

I’m in 7th grade and my sister is in 4th and we go to the Sandy Campus. I am used to the pressure of this school because I’ve been here since 4th grade but tother students disagree. My sister threw away some tests that were not sign and returns. They were actually 90’s+ and because she thought they were old and she threw them away, she was sent to the office. The school always finds a way to put the blame on you. This school always finds a way to make a kid depressed and stressed out. I know this because I went through this and so did my friend who I care about vet deeply. Now I’m used to it. Other kids may not be able to handle the pressure of this school.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2022

I don't know who wrote a review saying that kids are "like zombies"? Or unhappy? And also the review that they cannot compete with "normal kids" from regular schools? We had been with Challenger since Natasha was 3 year old. She is in a third grade right now. For all these years, I hadn't heard from her once that she doesn't feel like going to school. Even more, when she was a toddler, the worst punishment for her was to threaten that we wouldn't allow her to go to school if she misbehaved. So, happy, upbeat, excited to go to school always.Regarding comparison to "normal kids"... No comparison... not on the same level, no. I can't even imagine to enroll my daughter to a public school, because they won't know what to do with her! She reads on 8th grade level. She multiplies double digits in her head. She resolves simple equation within seconds, no pen necessary. She writes short stories and essays since kindergarten. Recites poems and can tell you what limericks are, an exact definition, with samples. She is goal oriented, she will challenge your opinion, she is respectful and communicative, she is a "life of the party" and has a lot of friends. Yes, she does not compare to "normal kids" because she is advanced and extraordinary. And we do not have a lot of homework. Homework is only Monday through Thursday, one page is grammar, one page math. She does it in the car, I am not joking, by the time we get home from school, her homework is done. Challenger has enrichment classes after 3pm. You can learn piano, foreign language and art. Mrs. Smith, an art teacher, is AWESOME. Teachers care about students, if you go on vacation, they will put a binder together to make sure you don't fall back.Regarding bullying. Talk to Headmistress Mrs. Gourgeon. Write her an email. Whenever I have a concern, I talk to Headmistress and it is SOLVED. She addresses it right away. If you are looking for a place to raise an extraordinary kid, look no farther. I am grateful every day. Just keep in mind. Your child will be at least a grade ahead of other "normal kids"... My daughter finished entire Harry Potter collection in second grade... It is up to you to challenge them.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2021

Tons of pressure on academics, without growing child in other aspects. Then leave them alone after middle school to complete with normal kids in other schoolsThe flush of academics washes out quickly after a year.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2021

I didn’t think the billing miscommunication was that big of a deal but apparently they’re willing to rewrite rules and procedures as they see fit and maybe they were trying to push us out.I also find it interesting that they have such a high teacher turnover rate. My son has attended about 4.5 months total and has had at least 6 different teachers. If the teachers aren’t happy, they can’t be effective. On that note, I can’t say anything negative about the teachers; they always seemed warm and welcoming to my son.The complete lack of empathy for their students’ lives is shocking and very sad. Challenger makes it clear they are a business where profits are more important than their students/children. Save your money and go elsewhere.I have to say, since changing schools, my son has developed so much! I can’t help but think Challenger’s toxic environment may have contributed to his lack of progression.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2020

Our experience of being charged high late fees for a few minutes of being late twice has clouded our opinions of Challenger preschool in Sandy. During these challenging times including a deployed father and other family challenges, it is the first time since my son left that we have encountered people who are rigid and uncompromising. And to not respond to an email from a family member of one of their students is disrespectful.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2020

The people in charge do not care about kids actually liking school or bringing any form of excitement. They regurgitate the same programs and curriculum every year and nothing evolves. They are not preparing kids for an evolving technological future with advanced STEM or computer programming. I think kids at challenger will be at a disadvantage long term with the lack of vision.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2014

Since Barbara passed away, the schools have deteriorated. She brought happiness and excitement to learn with her. Very few teachers actually care about their classes. They are far too worried that they may misstate something or fail to convince the kids to change their minds (and lose the bonus for adequate brainwashing. The school should go back to its roots. Remember that you have a lot of future potential in your care. Please stop with the indoctrination. Please help these children's have fun while learning. And temember, the most important fact: they are children!
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2014

Our biggest fear about moving to Utah from the east coast was the quality of education. When we found Challenger, all of our worries disappeared. Our children are stronger than ever, and they love going to school.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2014

The work is challenging but the teachers and school administrators are fair. My child is in the TOP 1% in the country on the standardized tests. Thank you Challenger.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2014

I love this school! The teachers and administrator helped me teach my children to be independent, happy, successful young adults. I don't know what I would have done without them.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2014

This school is in business becasue of their marketing prowess. Or really, I should say their marketing tenacity. NOT their ability to run a school. That apparently was a secondary strategy in running their school. The teachers and curriculum is probably deserve more than one star (3?), but the overall experience is barely even deserving of any stars. The administration is a complete joke. If this is your only option (we thought that was the case with us) then grit your teeth and the best of luck to you. BUT, if you are trying to decide between two schools do yourself a huge favor and pick the other one. It may not be much better but as the old adage goes "it can't be any worse!"
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2014

My son currently attends kindergarten at the Holladay campus. He is my third child, but my first child to attend Challenger. I have been pleasantly surprised with how much he loves going to school each day. He had learned so much and enjoys sharing his newly found knowledge with our family. The teachers and staff are very friendly and enthusiastic about teaching and learning. My child is very creative and inquisitive and I feel like these characteristics are fostered at Challenger. If his eager enthusiasm to go to school each day is any indication of the quality of his school, then I highly recommend the kindergarten program at Holladay Challenger.
Submitted by teacher on September 26, 2013

I do not trust public review venues for this reason, 6 reviews in a short time period gives the impression one person was upset and posted several posting to give their point value. I recommend you go to Challenger, take a tour, and observe it firsthand. Those negative reviews are suspicious, and do not come close to describing the school.
Submitted by teacher on September 04, 2013

Wow. I posted the comment below this one BEFORE I read the other reviews! Coming from the teacher's perspective, if a teacher is yelling or being harsh, it is completely on that teacher. The style of teaching that Challenger promotes, encourages, and uses as training is patience and fun. In fact, the headmaster once told us that if he walks past a room and the kids aren't laughing, the teacher stinks. It was said in jest, but realistically, costumes are highly encouraged! Yes, Challenger's curriculum is accelerated and the teachers have their work cut out for them trying to give the students the education their parents are paying for. However, at every staff meeting and at all training, management ALWAYS brings up the reminder to HAVE FUN! It really is a big part of Challenger's whole philosophy. Please keep that in mind when looking at the school. There are good teachers and bad everywhere.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2013

To the person who posted on July 9, 2013, who did you have for the kindergarten teacher. We had Mrs. Amerson and Ms. Lindsey and they were wonderful. For preschool, we had Ms. Roberta and Ms. Karen and they were also wonderful. And no, I am not a parent who is getting a discounted rate for my children.
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2013

Parents who are thinking about enrolling their children at the Challenger location in Sandy: please DON'T. I could go on and on and detail every single problem/flaw I noticed/had with the Sandy campus. But then this review would get too long. Long story short, the Sandy preschool campus is overcrowded; my daughter never got to know her teachers well; not even her classmates. She started telling me that she "hated" Challenger school and that she didn't want to go to school anymore (something that had never happened in the previous campus). I agree with other reviewers who said their children became like "zombies". The Sandy campus does an excellent job in turning your child from a happy human to a sad zombie. My daughter is currently enrolled in their summer program but I decided to let go of the 2 remaining weeks before the session is over. I can't stand the Sandy campus anymore. I will NEVER send my daughter there again. My other child will be in preschool age next year and he will be lucky to have never stepped a foot in your school. I've told my sister already not to enroll my niece at Challenger for next Fall either. Please don't make the same mistake I made.
Submitted by parent on July 09, 2013

Very disappointed! This school is poorly run! This school may have been good years ago, but not now. It is safe to stay this school is still living off of good will from the past. The teachers are over-worked and under-paid. The teachers and administration use fear to attempt to teach. Students are coerced daily! The teachers and administrators do not take responsibility for their actions and are always trying to pass blame to the students or parents. Unfortunately, many parents don't learn the truth about this horrible school until after they have had their children enrolled for a while. This school breaks hope, spirit and confidence of all its students. The longer a child is at this school, the more zombie-like they become. We had a child at this school for about 9 months. Hopefully the negative impact will not be long lasting. Very sad!
Submitted by parent on July 04, 2013

I would have to agree with the prior bad reviews. We moved to Utah the previous year and started our two kids at the Sandy campus in the PreK and Kindergarten program. Our kids have always been energetic and happy until we came to Challenger. We noticed right away a certain sadness from them as they would come home. As we explored the reason why, we discovered that the teachers are harsher than most. It would seem that most of the teachers are merely there to get a discount for their children and are unconcerned about the damage they are doing to the rest of the class. In fact, I would not be surprised if the post prior to this one has come from one of these teachers who have their kids attending Challenger at a discounted rate. If you notice the older kids walking into school, the older they are the more sad and zombie like state you see. Their confidence has been shattered and are unable to look you in the eye. In summation, Challenger is not our school.