Below Average
#1815 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Challenger Middle School
Middle School · Sunnyside Unified District (4407)
100 E ELVIRA RD, Tucson, AZ 85756
Enrollment
595
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
595
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
4.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tucson
#218 of 246
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#208 of 218
In district
#15 of 21
Sunnyside Unified District (4407)
About Challenger Middle School
Challenger Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Tucson, Arizona. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 595 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.9:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its MySchoolScout Rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranking in the 2th percentile among Arizona schools, Challenger Middle School focuses on fostering an environment where all students can develop and grow.
Academically, proficiency rates are at 15% for ELA/Reading and 11% for Math, indicating areas with room for improvement but also potential for growth. Challenger Middle School is situated in a large city setting within Pima County, providing access to diverse cultural and educational resources. The school community works together to support its students and provide them with the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School is 22.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Challenger Middle School — Students at Challenger Middle School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
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: 5.4/10.
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 21% (2019) to 7% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 13% (2022).
Location
100 E ELVIRA RD, Tucson, AZ 85756
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challenger Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Apollo Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sierra 2-8 School (rated 4.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Elvira Elementary School Tucson | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| SAN MIGUEL HIGH SCHOOL Tucson | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Math and Science Success Academy Tucson | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Santa Clara Elementary School Tucson | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Southgate Academy Tucson | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Mission Manor Elementary School Tucson | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Drexel Elementary School Tucson | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| La Paloma Academy-South Tucson | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| PCJTED - Sunnyside High School Tucson | 1.7 mi | — |
| Sunnyside High School Tucson | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Liberty Elementary School Tucson | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Sierra 2-8 School Tucson | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Apollo Middle School Tucson | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Ocotillo Early Learning Elementary School Tucson | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Tucson International Academy Midvale Tucson | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Pima County JTED - Star Tucson | 2.3 mi | — |
| STAR Academic High School Tucson | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Los Amigos Elementary School Tucson | 2.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Ombudsman - Charter Valencia Tucson | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Pima Vocational High School Tucson | 2.6 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85756 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,617
Median Home Value
$210,800
Median Rent
$1,256/mo
Population
36,716
College Educated
18.9%
Homeownership
79.7%
Avg Commute
24.8 min
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Median Age
36.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challenger Middle School has a median household income of $67,617. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,800, with a median rent of $1,256/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Ron Watson Middle School Yuma, AZ | 4.3 |
| Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School Tucson, AZ | 4.6 |
| Centennial Middle School Yuma, AZ | 4.7 |
| Gallego Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet School Tucson, AZ | 4.7 |
| Gila Vista Jr High School Yuma, AZ | 4.7 |
| Sierra 2-8 School Tucson, AZ | 4.7 |
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 595 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School is 22.9:1. 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 #1815 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Challenger Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger Middle School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 11.0% math proficiency and 15.3% 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 (3,922/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tucson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 595
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Pima County
- Phone
- (520) 545-4600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sunnyside Unified District (4407)- District Enrollment
- 14,144
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,153
- District Rank
- #15 of 21
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.