Challenge Success

Organization Overview

Challenge Success is a non-profit school reform organization affiliated with Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education that works to improve K-12 student well-being, engagement, and belonging through our School Program, Research and Surveys, and Workshops. Our unique approach is grounded in research about effective education and healthy child and adolescent development, engages and educates all stakeholders in the school community, and focuses on elevating the voice and perspective of all students. While many other organizations address student needs after problems arise, we offer upstream solutions that help to create systems within schools where students are engaged, healthy, and thriving. 

Challenge Success is led by a small, multidisciplinary team of educators, researchers, mental health professionals, and youth development experts. 

Our Mission

Challenge Success partners with school communities to elevate student voice and implement research-based, equity-centered strategies that improve student well-being, belonging, and engagement.

Our Vision

Our vision is that educational systems value each student for their unique identities, assets, and individual definitions of success and effectively prepare them for the variety of opportunities and challenges they will encounter in school and beyond.

Our Commitment to Equity

Challenge Success continuously examines and revises our work and seeks to disrupt patterns of inequity to further well-being, belonging, and engagement for each student, especially those for whom identity, culture, or socioeconomic status has resulted in barriers to access and success. We believe:

• Change starts with self, including active self-reflection to notice our own implicit biases and recognize how our lived experiences influence our perspectives and decision-making.
• All students, families, and communities have assets to build on and sustain.
• Centering design on those most marginalized by the current system benefits all students.
• Approaches to change must be systemic, context-based, and targeted at policies and practices.

Hiring Philosophy and Policies 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role. We strongly encourage people of all genders, BIPOC people, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and those from other systematically marginalized communities to apply. 

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Challenge Success will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Tricia McEntee. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.

Challenge Success is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.