For this high school senior, success is about more than grades and test scores
In this blog from Gulliver Preparatory Academy in Florida, a 2025-26 Challenge Success School Partner, senior Sydney Spence shares her biggest lessons from the partnership, including what she believes students need to in order to succeed.
“Challenge Success has helped me feel supported by shifting the focus away from only test scores and grades to growth, balance, and well-being. As both a student and a part of the Challenge Success team, I want to help my peers and show them that these aspects are just as important too.”
Through the Challenge Success School Partnership, Sydney has learned how stress, limited sleep, and heavy workloads can impact students’ motivation to learn. She also saw how schools across the country are making meaningful shifts such as adjusting homework loads, strengthening student-teacher relationships, and creating healthier daily rhythms.
