Keeping Parents and Campuses Connected
June 2012
Challenger Test Scores Are Higher Than Ever!
We are proud to announce that this year’s standardized test scores are the
highest our students have ever achieved! Challenger students surpassed both
national and private school test takers by a wide margin and scored even
higher than last year, expanding their lead on their peers in both groups.
On the 2012 Iowa Assessments (formerly known as the Iowa Tests of Basic
Skills), Challenger kindergartners’ average percentile rank was 98, and
eighth grade students’ average rank was 99. That means that Challenger’s
average kindergartner outscored 98 of 100 test takers at his grade level—
and that Challenger’s average eighth grader outscored 99 of 100.
Challenger Results 2011 and 2012
June at a Glance
• June 5–6 (CA)
8th Grade Graduation
• June 7 (NV, UT)
8th Grade Graduation
• June 7
Merit Assembly (K–8)
• June 7–8
Circus Days (PS-K)
• June 8
Field Day (1–8)
Last Day of School
• June 18
Summer School Begins
99
90
80
Note:
70
The 50th
percentile represents
the average rank (not
percentage correct) of
test takers—those who
scored better than 50%
of others who took
the test.
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Challenger 2011 National Percentile Rank
Challenger 2012 National Percentile Rank
National Average Rank
When compared only with other private school students, who as a
group score higher than the national average, Challenger students still
dominate easily—besting 94% of private school kindergartners to 99%
of private school eighth graders. For more in-depth information, visit
ChallengerSchool.com
These results show that a Challenger education is an investment with great
rewards. The longer a student studies at Challenger School, the further
ahead of both his public and private school counterparts he gets. Great job,
Challenger scholars!
© 2012, Barbara B. Baker
ChallengerSchool.com
17-50.10-12
Congratulations, Class of 2012!
Region Speech Festival
We extend hearty accolades to the following Challenger students who,
on the basis of their performances at their school festivals, advanced to
regional competitions.
California:
Region Winners
Maya S.
Grade 8
Harwood
1st place
Maya V.
Grade 7
Almaden 2nd place
Victoria Y.
Grade 8
Ardenwood
3rd place
Abhiram I.
Grade 8
Shawnee
Bryant C.
Grade 7
Berryessa
Kushal S.
Grade 8
Middlefield
Sharada S.
Grade 8
Strawberry Park
Sid I.
Grade 8
Sunnyvale
Utah:
Region Winners
Jason C.
Grade 6
Traverse Mountain
1st place
Isabella H.
Grade 8
Traverse Mountain
2nd place
Rachel A.
Grade 8
Sandy
3rd place
Aspen C.
Grade 7
Sandy
Alison B.
Grade 7
Salt Lake
Trent P.
Grade 8
Salt Lake
Eighth Grade Graduation
Ceremonies for eighth grade
graduates will be held during the last
week of school.
If you have a graduate in your family,
refer to the invitation recently mailed
to your residence.
We are proud of our graduates
who now embark on new chapters
in their lives as self-reliant,
productive individuals.
Field Day (1–8)
In the Spotlight: Vismaya K. of Salt Lake (UT)
When the contestants gather in Washington, D. C., for the Scripps National
Spelling Bee this month, seventh grader Vismaya K. of Salt Lake (UT) will
be among them for the second consecutive year.
However, spelling is not the only
area in which Vismaya excels. She
recently placed seventh in the Utah
Geography Bee, a contest in which
she has competed at the state level
for three years.
Vismaya also sings in the
Challenger Honors Chorale and is
an accomplished pianist, having
won a Superior cup at Federation
competitions for six years running.
With summer just around the corner,
it’s time for some outdoor fun,
friendly competition, and fresh air!
She studies Indian classical dance and Kenpo karate and has visited countries
on three continents.
Our annual Field Day, which will be
held on the last day of school, is an
excellent opportunity for students to
take part in outdoor activities such as
relays and games.
“I have tried to follow the principles and Challenger values I learned as early
as kindergarten,” asserts Vismaya. “They are not just cute drills but life
lessons that have contributed to my success and academic achievement both
in and out of class.”
Students are not required to wear their
uniforms on Field Day. They should
wear modest clothing appropriate for
outdoor recreation.
Vismaya K. of Salt Lake (UT)
ChallengerSchool.com
Doodle 4 Google Winner
Two Challenger
students have placed
nationally in the 2012
Daughters of the
American Revolution
History Essay contest!
Congratulations to Lone Mountain
(NV) third grader Sofia L., who
was recently named the Nevada
state winner in the Doodle 4
Google contest.
Tiffany G. of Traverse
Mountain (UT) garnered
Tiffany G. of
Traverse Mtn (UT) the national first place
prize among fifth graders
for her essay, winning $1000, a trip to
Washington, D.C., to
read her story to the
national committee, and
the honor of having her
photo and story hung in
the DAR gallery.
Angeline T. of
Angeline T. of
Berryessa
(CA)
Berryessa (CA) placed
second in the nation for her grade level.
Though Sofia
wasn't one of
the five U.S.
finalists, she
was named
Sofia L. of Lone
one of seven
Mountain (NV)
Honorary
Winners and dubbed "Doodler
of the Round Table."
Photo: Las Vegas Sun
National DAR Essay Winners
Additional Winner
Samantha A. of Ardenwood (CA)
was also a DAR chapter winner.
Excellent work, Samantha!
Merit Assembly (K–8)
We will honor the achievements of individual
students at the Merit Assembly this month.
Challenger campuses will hold
merit assemblies shortly before
the end of school to recognize the
individual achievements of K–8
students throughout the school year.
Lost and Found
Please check the lost and found
at your campus before the
school year ends. You may find
something you did not realize
was missing!
Challenger Phonics Fun Special Offer!
Before we head into the summer, take advantage of
Challenger’s newly available phonics program to prepare
your child for the coming school year. Challenger Phonics
Fun teaches phonics correctly, using the same proven
methods that Challenger School employs in the classroom
to teach thousands of preschoolers to read every year.
The music, songs, videos, and fun of the program make it
something children enjoy doing again and again.
For current students, Challenger Phonics Fun can serve as
an excellent means of phonics concept retention over the
summer and as reinforcement of these concepts throughout
Get your child excited about learning with Challenger Phonics Fun.
the year. As a Challenger parent,
enjoy a 20% discount when you purchase directly from your school. For a limited time, you will
also receive the award-winning DVD Akeelah and the Bee with each order. This bonus DVD
will be mailed to your billing address once the order has been processed.
“When my daughter started the program in August, she did not recognize all her lowercase
letters and sounds, but by early October, she knew them all. I still remember her singing the
‘Blending Polka’ song over dinner to my husband and me . . . CHALLENGER HAS A WAY
OF MAKING PHONICS FUN AND EXCITING! By December, she was reading little books
and was so proud.”
ChallengerSchool.com
— Arnie R., Challenger parent
Preschool
Heard It in the Halls
Silverado (NV) campus—When four-year-old Max sat
down to dinner, he asked, “Mommy, how many bites
do I have to take?”
Summer School
There is still time to sign up for Challenger
Adventureland. Classes begin June 18. See your
school office for details.
In hopes that he would
finish his entire meal, she
answered, “Fifty bites.”
To her surprise, Max very
shortly announced that he
was done.
Uniforms (PS–K)
As you purchase preschool uniforms for fall,
please remember that pants and shorts need to be
charcoal (not navy).
When she protested that
Max can count by 10s!
he could not have taken
50 bites, he very confidently
responded, “Yes—10, 20, 30, 40 50!”
Kindergartners wear uniforms every day, just like
the older elementary students! For more details,
visit ScholarWear.com.
Everest (ID) campus—At the end of an eventful day,
three-year-old Treyson expressed to his mother that he
wanted some peace and quiet.
“Peace and quiet begin with you, Treyson,” reminded
his mother.
“No, Mom, peace begins with P,” Treyson countered.
Preschool uniforms
Kindergarten uniforms
Remember to “like”
Challenger School on Facebook!
ScholarWear Fall Sale Days
Mark your calendars! Uniform sales will occur on various
days between August 1–16 at the Ardenwood (CA), Lone
Mountain (NV), and Sunnyvale (CA) campuses. Visit
ScholarWear.com for specific dates and times.
Or visit one of our store locations:
ScholarWear CA
12333 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd.
Saratoga, CA (408) 973-1701
ScholarWear UT
9937 South 500 West
Sandy, UT (801) 565-9327
Store hours:
Tue.–Thu.,
11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Circus Days (PS–K)
Preschool and kindergarten classes will close the school
year by enjoying a big top of fun!
On the last day of classes, students may come in costume
if they wish. We’ll play games and have lots of laughs
and circus-themed activities.
Fri.–Sat.,
11 a.m.–5 p.m.
ScholarWear.com is offering free shipping for the first
order per family placed between July 8–14.
Use the code FREESHIP to take advantage of this
great deal!
Circus Day is fun for everyone!
ChallengerSchool.com