Very Good
#602 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 30% in state
Challenger Elementary School
Elementary School · Nogales Unified District (4457)
901 E CALLE MAYER, Nogales, AZ 85621
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Nogales
#4 of 11
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#415 of 1,216
In district
#3 of 11
Nogales Unified District (4457)
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Challenger Elementary School
Challenger Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Nogales, Arizona. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 376 students and employs 26 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. Despite its small setting in a remote town, Challenger Elementary focuses on providing a supportive educational environment.
Academically, Challenger Elementary ranks as the 42nd percentile among Arizona schools, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 5.5 out of 10. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 31% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is 25%. These scores suggest there's room for academic growth, but the school continues to support its students' development.
Challenger Elementary School is nestled in a remote area that offers a close-knit community feel.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Challenger Elementary School — Students at Challenger Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ 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: 6.4/10.
How Challenger Elementary School Compares
See how Challenger Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 28% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 34% (2022).
Location
901 E CALLE MAYER, Nogales, AZ 85621
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challenger Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Little Red Schoolhouse (rated 9.1/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Calabasas School (rated 6.0/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Rio Rico), a more accessible option. Additionally, Colegio Petite Arizona (rated 5.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Phoenix), a more accessible option. For more schools in Nogales, see our Nogales schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales | 1.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Pinnacle Charter High School Tempe | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Mexicayotl Charter School Nogales | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Colegio Petite Arizona Phoenix | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Nogales | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| A J Mitchell Elementary School Nogales | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Nogales High School Nogales | 2.1 mi | 8.0 |
| SONSHINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nogales | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| EdOptions Preparatory Academy Tempe | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Nogales | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Pierson High School Nogales | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| NUSD Online Nogales | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Little Red Schoolhouse Nogales | 2.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School Nogales | 2.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Mary L Welty Elementary School Nogales | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Desert Shadows Middle School Nogales | 3.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Robert Bracker Elementary Nogales | 4.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Calabasas School Rio Rico | 5.5 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85621 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,309
Median Home Value
$173,600
Median Rent
$700/mo
Population
21,512
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
50.7%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
25%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challenger Elementary School has a median household income of $41,309. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,600, with a median rent of $700/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ | 7.1 |
| Bella Vista Elementary School Sierra Vista, AZ | 7.1 |
| Blake Primary School Parker, AZ | 7.1 |
| Davidson Elementary School Tucson, AZ | 7.1 |
| Eloy Intermediate School Eloy, AZ | 7.1 |
| Flagstaff Junior Academy Flagstaff, AZ | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Challenger Elementary School
What grades does Challenger Elementary School serve?
Challenger Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Challenger Elementary School?
Challenger Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Challenger Elementary School rank in AZ?
Challenger Elementary School is ranked #602 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Challenger Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenger Elementary School has 25.3% math proficiency and 31.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,830/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Nogales). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Santa Cruz County
- Phone
- (520) 377-0544
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nogales Unified District (4457)- District Enrollment
- 5,701
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,157
- District Rank
- #3 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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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