Average
#1452 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Challenger Middle School
Elementary School · Glendale Elementary District (4271)
6905 W MARYLAND AVE, Glendale, AZ 85303
Enrollment
880
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
880
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Glendale
#52 of 76
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#860 of 1,216
In district
#5 of 14
Glendale Elementary District (4271)
About Challenger Middle School
Challenger Middle School serves 880 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Glendale's large suburban community. With 44 full-time teachers, the school maintains a 20:1 student-teacher ratio, providing regular public education in Maricopa County. The school faces academic challenges, with room for significant growth in core subjects.
Currently, 22% of students perform at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 13% reach proficiency in Mathematics. These results place Challenger Middle School in the 20th percentile statewide, ranking 1614 out of 2029 Arizona schools, indicating the school is focusing on student development and working to improve academic outcomes. The school serves families in the 85303 zip code area, where the median household income is $70,090 and median home values reach $255,500.
The community has a 14.8% poverty rate, with 13% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. This diverse neighborhood of over 35,000 residents reflects the broader demographic mix typical of Glendale's suburban landscape. Challenger Middle School operates within this established suburban setting on West Maryland Avenue, serving as an educational cornerstone for local families navigating the academic journey from elementary through middle school years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Challenger Middle School — Students at Challenger Middle School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
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: 5.7/10.
How Challenger Middle School Compares
See how Challenger Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 13% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
6905 W MARYLAND AVE, Glendale, AZ 85303
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challenger Middle School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glendale Elementary Online (G.E.O.) Learning (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Don Mensendick School (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, William C Jack School (rated 6.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Glendale, see our Glendale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Garden Elementary School Glendale | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| West-MEC - Independence High School Glendale | 0.7 mi | — |
| Independence High School Glendale | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Don Mensendick School Glendale | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Harold W Smith School Glendale | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Desert Spirit Glendale | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| William C Jack School Glendale | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Bicentennial South School Glendale | 1.2 mi | 3.9 |
| West-MEC - Glendale High School Glendale | 1.1 mi | — |
| Discovery School Glendale | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Glendale High School Glendale | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Sunset Vista Glendale | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Academy of Math and Science Camelback Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Camelback Academy Glendale | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Crown Point High School Glendale | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Glendale Landmark School Glendale | 1.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Glendale Elementary Online (G.E.O.) Learning Glendale | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Desert Sands Academy of Mass Communication & Journalism Phoenix | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Holiday Park School Phoenix | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Heatherbrae School Phoenix | 2.2 mi | 3.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85303 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,077
Median Home Value
$286,800
Median Rent
$1,476/mo
Population
34,769
College Educated
13.6%
Homeownership
62.2%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
30.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challenger Middle School has a median household income of $75,077. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,800, with a median rent of $1,476/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Barcelona Elementary School Glendale, AZ | 5.4 |
| Cactus View Elementary School Phoenix, AZ | 5.4 |
| Charles W. Harris School Phoenix, AZ | 5.4 |
| Copper King Elementary Phoenix, AZ | 5.4 |
| Garden Lakes Elementary School Avondale, AZ | 5.4 |
| Hearn Academy The - A Ball Charter School Phoenix, AZ | 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 Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Challenger Middle School?
Challenger Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 880 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School is 20:1. 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 AZ?
Challenger Middle School is ranked #1452 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
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 16.3% math proficiency and 22.7% 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,171/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Glendale). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 880
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (623) 237-4011
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Glendale Elementary District (4271)- District Enrollment
- 8,858
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,795
- District Rank
- #5 of 14
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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