Our History Timeline

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it is a very unusual year when during the COVID pandemic, our Fremont Site opening has been pushed away and away.  Finally, after months of work, we will have our grand opening in July 2020 and welcome new children from Fremont and nearby cities.  We are thankful to be able to share our campus with Crossroads Church in Fremont. 

After years of sharing sites with Belmont Preschool, Belmont Afterschool, led by Teacher Kelly, has moved to a new campus at Mountain View Ave in Belmont with 8,000 sq. ft.  Teacher Jenny has all of the Belmont Masonic campus to herself for our Belmont Preschool.  Both Belmont Preschool and Belmont Afterschool are blooming!

Over the years, Challenge School has built strong partnerships with various enrichment teachers and providers. Parents really like our enrichment classes, but afterschool hours are just not enough.  As a result, our Chinese Culture Institute was born. Led by Teacher Vivian, our weekend program strives to provide families with ann all-in-one place for various enrichment classes like public speaking, theater, drawing, dance, etc.

After 3 years of preparation, Challenge School is so proud to be the first Mandarin Immersion School in California to receive accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  We wholeheartedly thank the generous support from all Challenge School children and families, as well as all the hard effort of our staff.  

We are very thankful to be able to find our beautiful home at Fashion Island Blvd, San Mateo.  This new campus gave our kids plenty of indoor rooms, nice real grass for an outdoor playground, ample daylight through the high ceiling glass windows, and last but not least, a central location which has easy access from the freeway.

Teacher Gracewais so thankful to join Challenge School and start her life as a teacher and a manager.  Over the years, Teacher Mei and Teacher Grace became true partners.  They argued and compromised, they worried and laughed.  More importantly, they have one goal in mind: To take Challenge School to the next level, so it will serve our staff and our students better and better.

With over 80 students, was about time to expand Challenge School.  We found a a video store on Masonic Way, and turned it into our beautiful Belmont campus.  With a few teachers and a handful of students, Teacher Kelly grew the Belmont Afterschool to a community. Not only has she taught many students, but also many parents.  Parents like to come and hang out at the school to chat and learn from Teacher Kelly. 

In 2003, Teacher Mei, a seasonal interior designer, realized that most Chinese schools were weekend schools and did not serve the purpose of Mandarin Immersion.  So, she decided to quit her architect job and started Challenge School with 6 children at her home, when her second daughter was born.  Challenge School grew from 6 children to 80 children in 3 years.