Challenger School - Avery Ranch

Besides one I didn't care for last year, all the teachers have been wonderful. The staff clearly care about the kids and I see that every day in the hallways during pick up and drop off. They greet the kids by name often and keep it positive. Public school can be a nightmare, but this one clearly is not - I'm staying in this neighborhood just to keep sending my child here. I don't relate to some of the other recent reviews posted here. I think they go above and beyond for the kids.

We have been at this school for two years. We have two children attending. I have found the entire staff from the front office, to of course the teachers, friendly and engaging. I think the community is amazing as well and the opportunity to engage with the school or other parents wonderful. I have found the leadership to be solid and hear the teachers praise it as well. I feel really lucky to be a part of this community and see my kids fall in love with learning. And it is not from the point of view where everything was always smooth- both of our kids had some bumps at times with various elements from some school anxiety to reading skills. The school responded beautifully. My experience is that this is a tremendous place with wonderful people and I’m glad our family has gotten to be a part of it.

We are very happy with Patsy Sommer Elementary! The teachers are caring, dedicated, and truly invested in the students’ success. The principal leads with warmth and professionalism, creating a positive and welcoming school environment. My son loves going to school every day, and we feel grateful to be part of such a wonderful community!

I have been to many schools before I came to Holy Family and I can say it is one of a kind. There are so many things that are great about this school the community, the education, the students are just a few of the wonderful things. The students thrive and grow together and it's beautiful to see them become servant leaders. The school offers a lot of extracurricular activities for the kids. For the elementary kids they have soccer, PSIA competitions, chess, choir, dance classes and more. The librarian is amazing not only does she make going to the library a fun experience but hosts mini museum exhibits and museum shows that are captivating. The middle schoolers have clubs such as the Neurology club, Student Council, One Act Play, miniatures, Minecraft, Book Club, Bible study, the Microscopes club, Angels for Life, rock band practice during lunch along with various sports such as soccer, flag and tackle football, cheer, teach, cross country basket ball, volleyball, golf and tennis. Middle school also has various electives they can choose from such as band, choir, orchestra, theater, art, ceramics, 3d art, pals program and library and office aides, Faith in Action, Environmental STEM, yearbook, Spanish and Computer science and Latin. Starting in 7th grade students have the opportunity to take accelerated courses some of which take place at the High School. This school is a fantastic school, my one warning would be to stay away from parent drama. Like at any school the few unhappy people speak the loudest but you just have to walk the halls and see the kids in action to know what a fabulous school this really is.

Elsa England Elementary has been an incredible experience for our family. Our first year had a few hiccups so I waited for the 3rd year to finish to give a fair review. The environment is warm, welcoming, and—most importantly—safe. Principal Williams ensures there is a visible police presence during drop-off and pick-up, and she keeps families informed through timely email updates about any safety-related incidents—whether it's a suspicious person spotted nearby or something as routine as a water leak. Principal Williams is phenomenal. She’s approachable, communicative, and clearly respected by both staff and families. There was an incident at school that frightened our daughter, and Principal Williams responded immediately, even arranging counseling support to help her feel safe and heard. As a parent, it’s a huge relief to know your child is being cared for not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well. Her passion is evident as she leads with both heart and integrity, creating a school culture rooted in care and excellence.The teachers are equally outstanding—nurturing, creative, and deeply committed to their students’ growth, particularly Ms. Brooks and Ms. Cho! They go above and beyond to build strong relationships and create engaging, meaningful learning experiences.Due to some ongoing medical issues, I haven’t been able to volunteer as much as I would have liked. That said, one of the things I deeply appreciate about Elsa England is its incredibly engaged parent community. Families here are actively involved, and there are always parents volunteering, supporting events, and partnering with staff to create a vibrant school experience. It truly feels like a collaborative village. The campus itself is beautiful and well-maintained, with clean, modern facilities that reflect the pride the community takes in the school.If I had one suggestion for improvement, it would be the school website. At times, it can be difficult to navigate or find up-to-date information, which often leads me to reach out to staff for clarification. A clearer, more user-friendly website would make things easier for parents and reduce the number of inquiries staff receive.We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of Elsa England.