About Challenge School

---

t our NAEYC and QRIS accredited preschool, Challenge School adheres closely to NAEYC foundational criteria. NAEYC emphasizes Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and the importance of relationships between children, parents, and the school community. Our staff participates in annual self-reporting to ensure that we meet all NAEYC codes of conduct and standards.

At Challenge School, we believe personality forms at young age.  We use an age-appropriate curriculum in a Mandarin and English bilingual setting to foster curiosity and persistence, thereby shaping a strong mindset and positive personality traits.

For example, in our Toddlers/Twos classroom, we focus on a social-emotional curriculum in a Chinese Immersion setting. Toddlers need to learn how to care for themselves, adjust their play, and interact with others.  We taught self-reguations, social skills, self-concept , as well as relationship with adults and peers.

When children approach three, we introduce the English literacy curriculum through Zoo-Phonics, allowing them to engage in more English reading, writing, and literacy activities. We also introduce the beginnings of a Project-Based Curriculum, which serves as an effective approach to foster curiosity and persistence.

Children fully engage in project-based learning starting in Transitional Kindergarten (TK). Projects can last up to two to three weeks, ensuring that children experience consistency and depth in their exploration. The collaborative nature of these projects also reinforces communication, and social, and emotional learning, which we believe are even more important than academic skills.

After graduating from Challenge School preschool, children can join our summer camp and/or our WASC-accredited school-age program, which offers a curriculum extending up to AP Chinese level in Grade 10. Children completing their 10+ year journey at Challenge School will be equipped with positive personality traits, bilingual capabilities, and rich cultural knowledge.  More importantly, they will forge lasting friendships and have a school they can call extended home and return to visit. Many Challenge School alumni come back to volunteer, helping to extend the values and philosophy of Challenge School.