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Average

#793 of 1,356 schools in AL

Challenger Middle School

Middle School · Huntsville City

13555 Chaney Thompson Rd, Huntsville, AL 35803

Enrollment

428

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

6.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#793 of 1,356

In Huntsville

#32 of 47

public schools

In district

#30 of 43

Huntsville City

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Challenger Middle School

6.0/10

Middle School in Huntsville · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Challenger Elementary School

6.7/10

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 Middle School

Challenger Middle School is a public middle school in Huntsville, AL, part of Huntsville City. Challenger Middle School serves approximately 428 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenger Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #793 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Challenger Middle School show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • AL avg 5.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency43% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)58% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,146
Chronic Absenteeism20.3%

Challenger Middle School — Students at Challenger Middle School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
91%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
90%
ELA
94%
2013
Math
54%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
60%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
54%
ELA
60%
2018
Math
56%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
56%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
19%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
28%
ELA
58%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Challenger Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
42th percentile in AL
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.3%

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 Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mountain Gap Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hampton Cove Middle School (rated 6.8/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Hampton Cove), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Whitesburg Middle School (rated 3.4/10, 4.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Challenger Elementary School Huntsville 0.0 mi 6.7
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 4.3 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 5.2 mi
BIG COVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Owens Cross Roads 5.1 mi 6.1
HOLY SPIRIT REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Huntsville 5.7 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
Daleville Middle School Dalevile, AL 6.0
Erwin Middle School Center Point, AL 6.0
West Point Middle School Vinemont, AL 6.0
Bay Minette Middle School Bay Minette, AL 5.9
Boaz Middle School Boaz, AL 6.1
Centre Middle School Centre, AL 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Challenger Middle School

What grades does Challenger Middle School serve?

Challenger Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Challenger Middle School?

Challenger Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 428 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Challenger Middle School rank in AL?

Challenger Middle School ranks #793 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Challenger Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenger Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Challenger Middle School has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Challenger Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Challenger Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

43.5% of students at Challenger Middle 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
5 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
428
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Madison County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.3%

District

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

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