Middle and high school students and staff welcomed Denise Pope, co-founder of Challenge Success and a professor at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education, and Jon Kleiman, Challenge Success East Coast coordinator, as guest speakers on Jan. 22. They shared practical, researched-based strategies to help students navigate a fast-paced and competitive culture. 

In addition, Pope led a homework workshop with faculty members investigating the effectiveness of homework both in terms of its purpose and length. During an evening session with parents, Pope discussed ideas about how parents can raise a well-balanced student and support their children’s development and well-being in a performance-based culture. She also provided practical information to parents, including the idea of PDF – the idea that all young children and teenagers need playtime, downtime and family time every day.  

“The presentation was extremely well received, with many parents requesting that Denise Pope return,” Bronxville High School Principal Ann Meyer said. “We thank the PTA for supporting Denise Pope’s visit to the school. We would also like to thank the Bronxville School Foundation who have supported our continued work with Challenge Success.”

In the spring of 2017, sixth- through 12th-grade students were among more than 100,000 students from high-performing schools across the country to take the online Challenge Success survey. Administered by the Challenge Success program, a nonprofit group associated with the Stanford Graduate School of Education, it measured students’ perspectives on homework, extracurricular activities, sleep, physical health, stress, parent expectations, academic engagement, academic integrity and teacher support. The survey findings also helped guide administrators in deciding which policies and practices might be effective or in need of improvement at the middle and high schools. 

The district’s work around Challenge Success has been entirely funded through the generous support of the Bronxville School Foundation.