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Average

#1431 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Challenger Elementary School

Elementary School · Nogales Unified District (4457)

901 E CALLE MAYER, Nogales, AZ 85621

Enrollment

376

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,431 of 2,006

In Nogales

#9 of 13

public schools

In district

#7 of 11

Nogales Unified District (4457)

Academic performance

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Challenger Elementary School

5.2/10

Elementary School in Nogales · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lourdes Catholic School

4.5/10

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

Pinnacle Charter High School

5.7/10

1.1 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 Nogales, AZ, part of Nogales Unified District (4457). Challenger Elementary School serves approximately 376 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenger Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,431 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Challenger Elementary School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • AZ avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

44% of students at Challenger Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,157
Chronic Absenteeism44.1%

Challenger Elementary School — Students at Challenger Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
65%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
28%
ELA
34%

* 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 Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
29th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
44.1%

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

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. Mexicayotl Charter School (rated 9.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Little Red Schoolhouse (rated 8.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Robert Bracker Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 4.5
Pinnacle Charter High School Tempe 1.1 mi 5.7
Mexicayotl Charter School Nogales 1.1 mi 9.7
Colegio Petite Arizona Phoenix 1.8 mi 5.6
Lincoln Elementary School Nogales 2.1 mi 6.1
Wade Carpenter Middle School Nogales 2.1 mi 3.2
A J Mitchell Elementary School Nogales 2.2 mi 4.2
Nogales High School Nogales 2.1 mi 6.6
SONSHINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Nogales 2.2 mi 5.1
EdOptions Preparatory Academy Tempe 2.6 mi 4.9
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Nogales 2.6 mi 5.2
Pierson High School Nogales 2.7 mi 6.4
NUSD Online Nogales 2.7 mi 5.1
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Nogales 2.9 mi 4.8
Little Red Schoolhouse Nogales 2.7 mi 8.5
Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary School Nogales 2.8 mi 6.1
Mary L Welty Elementary School Nogales 3.0 mi 5.4
Desert Shadows Middle School Nogales 3.9 mi 5.1
Robert Bracker Elementary Nogales 4.0 mi 7.3
Calabasas School Rio Rico 5.5 mi 4.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Harris Elementary School Mesa, AZ 5.2
Lake Valley Elementary School Prescott Valley, AZ 5.2
Moya Elementary Phoenix, AZ 5.2
Roosevelt School Yuma, AZ 5.2
Rudy G Bologna Elementary Chandler, AZ 5.2
W F Killip Elementary School Flagstaff, AZ 5.2

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 ranks #1,431 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Challenger Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenger Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
44.1%

District

Nogales Unified District (4457)
District Enrollment
5,701
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,157
District Rank
#7 of 11

How we rate schools

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