Average
#1012 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
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
428
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Huntsville
#38 of 47
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#137 of 262
In district
#37 of 43
Huntsville City
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Challenger Middle School
Challenger Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. The school serves students in grades 6 through 8, with a total enrollment of 428 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1. Challenger Middle School is part of a community with a median household income of $89,714 and a median home value of $234,900, indicating a relatively affluent neighborhood.
The school's academic performance reflects a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10, placing it at the 74th percentile among Alabama schools. In ELA/Reading, 58% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 28% are proficient or above, showing areas with room for academic growth. Challenger Middle School is situated in a mid-size city with a college-educated population of 54%, suggesting a supportive environment for education and student development.
The school is set in a community that values education and offers a nurturing setting for middle school students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Challenger Middle School — Students at Challenger Middle School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.0/10.
How Challenger Middle School Compares
See how Challenger Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 28% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 58% (2022).
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 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hampton Cove Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Hampton Cove), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Whitesburg Middle School (rated 3.6/10, 4.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challenger Middle School has a median household income of $95,182. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,100, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anniston Middle School Anniston, AL | 5.4 |
| Columbiana Middle School Columbiana, AL | 5.4 |
| Eclectic Middle School Eclectic, AL | 5.4 |
| Priceville Junior High School Decatur, AL | 5.4 |
| Rehobeth Middle School Rehobeth, AL | 5.4 |
| Williams Intermediate School Pell City, AL | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #1012 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Challenger Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger Middle School has a composite rating of 5.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Challenger Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenger Middle School has 34.3% math proficiency and 59.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,879/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huntsville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (256) 428-7620
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Huntsville City- District Enrollment
- 23,649
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,146
- District Rank
- #37 of 43
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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