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Average

#638 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 47% in state

Challenger Elementary School

Elementary School · Huntsville City

13555 Chaney Thompson Rd, Huntsville, AL 35803

Enrollment

499

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#638 of 1,356

In Huntsville

#22 of 47

public schools

In district

#21 of 43

Huntsville City

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Challenger Elementary School

6.7/10

Elementary School in Huntsville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Challenger Middle School

6.0/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

The Montessori School of Huntsville

7.5/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Challenger Elementary School

Challenger Elementary School is a public elementary school in Huntsville, AL, part of Huntsville City. Challenger Elementary School serves approximately 499 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenger Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #638 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Challenger Elementary School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • AL avg 7.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.6% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg+0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,146
Chronic Absenteeism16.2%

Challenger Elementary School — Students at Challenger Elementary School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
90%
ELA
94%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
94%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
93%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
69%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
48%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
61%
2024
ELA
83.6%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.2/10.

How Challenger Elementary School Compares

See how Challenger Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
53th percentile in AL
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

13555 Chaney Thompson Rd, Huntsville, AL 35803

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Challenger Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GoldsmithSchiffman Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Big Cove), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hampton Cove Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Hampton Cove), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Weatherly Heights Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Challenger Middle School Huntsville 0.0 mi 6.0
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF HUNTSVILLE Huntsville 0.9 mi 7.5
Mountain Gap Elementary School Huntsville 1.0 mi 7.3
Mountain Gap Middle School Huntsville 1.0 mi 7.4
Farley Elementary School Huntsville 1.3 mi 8.4
Weatherly Heights Elementary School Huntsville 2.3 mi 8.5
Virgil Grissom High School Huntsville 2.7 mi 5.1
Roger B Chaffee Elementary School Huntsville 3.4 mi 7.9
GoldsmithSchiffman Elementary Big Cove 3.4 mi 8.7
WILLOWBROOK WEEKDAY EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM Huntsville 4.0 mi
WHITESBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntsville 4.2 mi 5.7
Whitesburg Elementary School Huntsville 4.5 mi 7.3
Whitesburg Middle School Huntsville 4.5 mi 3.4
MAYFAIR CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Huntsville 5.1 mi
BIG COVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Owens Cross Roads 5.1 mi 6.1
HOLY SPIRIT REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Huntsville 5.6 mi 6.9
Jones Valley Elementary School Huntsville 5.9 mi 7.6
Hampton Cove Elementary Hampton Cove 5.3 mi 8.7
Hampton Cove Middle School Hampton Cove 5.3 mi 6.8
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Huntsville 6.3 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,182

Median Home Value

$259,100

Median Rent

$1,221/mo

Population

29,283

College Educated

54%

Homeownership

81.8%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

44.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Avondale Elementary School Birmingham, AL 6.7
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Mobile, AL 6.7
Martha Gaskins K5 Birmingham, AL 6.7
Pearl Haskew Elementary Irvington, AL 6.7
Pinecrest Elementary School Sylacauga, AL 6.7
Saks Elementary School Anniston, AL 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Challenger Elementary School

What grades does Challenger Elementary School serve?

Challenger Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Challenger Elementary School?

Challenger Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Challenger Elementary School rank in AL?

Challenger Elementary School ranks #638 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Challenger Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenger Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Challenger Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Challenger Elementary School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Challenger Elementary School a charter school?

No, Challenger Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Challenger Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Challenger Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challenger Elementary School?

44.5% of students at Challenger Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Madison County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

District

Huntsville City
District Enrollment
23,649
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,146
District Rank
#21 of 43

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