In 1960, Barbara Baker was a public school teacher.

In her first grade class assignment, she quickly discovered that there was a problem with the children entering her class: Most of her new students had not been academically prepared in kindergarten to enter first grade.

She feared that their prime years for learning were being wasted, and decided to do something about it.

Her experience had taught her that a child's first five years are the most critical in developing thinking skills, and for learning phonics concepts. She decided that she would help children during their preschool years.

There were many daycare centers in San Jose, but only one half-day preschool, which was what Barbara envisioned starting. None were teaching academic programs. In 1963, Barbara started her preschool. She began the first school year with six students. Parents gravitated quickly to Challenger's phonics and music in a half-day program, and in the second year Barbara filled her school to capacity with a waiting list of over 100 children.

Challenger School has grown from that one small preschool in San Jose to over 20 schools in several western states, many of which teach students through the eighth grade. The growth has been controlled in order to continue supplying the high standard of education expected from Challenger School. Thousands of students have left Challenger as confident, capable individuals, who are prepared for a life of achievement.