Excellent
#1256 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 13% in state
Challenger Middle
Middle School · San Diego Unified
10810 Parkdale Ave., San Diego, CA 92126
Enrollment
918
Student-Teacher
24.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
918
Student-Teacher
24.2:1
Score
8.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Diego
#42 of 288
public schools
California middle schools
#133 of 1,349
In district
#29 of 174
San Diego Unified
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Challenger Middle
Challenger Middle is a public middle school in San Diego, CA, part of the San Diego Unified. The school serves approximately 918 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 24.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1/10, placing it in the 86.8th percentile among CA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 57% proficiency in math, 23 points above the state average and 62% in reading/language arts, 15 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $123,232, where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle is 24.2:1, 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 — Students at Challenger Middle score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.3/10.
How Challenger Middle Compares
See how Challenger Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 64% (2019) to 63.18% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 68.42% (2024).
Location
10810 Parkdale Ave., San Diego, CA 92126
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challenger Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CHILDRENS WORKSHOP (rated 6.6/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Wangenheim Middle (rated 5.2/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hickman Elementary San Diego | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Jonas Salk Elementary San Diego | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL San Diego | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Willow Ridge Academy San Diego | 0.8 mi | — |
| Sandburg Elementary San Diego | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Mira Mesa High San Diego | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Mason Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| KINDERHOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Diego | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Zensei Education San Diego | 1.5 mi | — |
| Ericson Elementary San Diego | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Christ the Cornerstone Lutheran Academy San Diego | 1.6 mi | — |
| Altus Schools Charter School of San Diego San Diego | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Park Village Elementary San Diego | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Walker Elementary San Diego | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Wangenheim Middle San Diego | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Via Talentum Academy San Diego | 2.1 mi | — |
| Hage Elementary San Diego | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Children's Workshop San Diego | 2.4 mi | — |
| CHILDRENS WORKSHOP San Diego | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Canyon View Elementary San Diego | 2.8 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92126 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$123,232
Median Home Value
$802,000
Median Rent
$2,630/mo
Population
77,239
College Educated
48.9%
Homeownership
52.7%
Avg Commute
23.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challenger Middle has a median household income of $123,232. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $802,000, with a median rent of $2,630/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Albany Middle Albany, CA | 8.1 |
| Clement Middle Redlands, CA | 8.1 |
| Helen Stacey Middle Huntington Beach, CA | 8.1 |
| Huntington Middle San Marino, CA | 8.1 |
| Joaquin Miller Middle San Jose, CA | 8.1 |
| John Adams Middle Santa Monica, CA | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Challenger Middle
What grades does Challenger Middle serve?
Challenger Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Challenger Middle?
Challenger Middle has an enrollment of approximately 918 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Challenger Middle rank in CA?
Challenger Middle is ranked #1256 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Challenger Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger Middle has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenger Middle has 57.0% math proficiency and 61.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Challenger Middle a charter school?
No, Challenger Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Challenger Middle a Title I school?
No, Challenger Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challenger Middle?
46.8% of students at Challenger Middle 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
- Walk Score
- 46 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 29 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 49 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,092/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 918
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (858) 586-7001
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #29 of 174
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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- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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