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Excellent

#1627 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 17% in state

Challenger Middle

Middle School · San Diego Unified

10810 Parkdale Ave., San Diego, CA 92126

Enrollment

918

Student-Teacher

24.2:1

Score

8.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#1,627 of 9,539

In San Diego

#98 of 288

public schools

In district

#60 of 174

San Diego Unified

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Challenger Middle

8.0/10

Middle School in San Diego · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hickman Elementary

8.5/10

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

Jonas Salk Elementary

8.7/10

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

About Challenger Middle

Challenger Middle is a public middle school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. Challenger Middle serves approximately 918 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 24.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenger Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,627 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Challenger Middle show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.2
  • CA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Challenger Middle runs 24.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.2% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+28.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.5 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected+17.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,828
Chronic Absenteeism12.3%

Challenger Middle — Students at Challenger Middle score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 60.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
33.9% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 68.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.6% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 36 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
73%
2015
Math
64%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
60%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
68%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
64%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
64%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
61.9%
ELA
68.6%
2024
Math
63.2%
ELA
68.4%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Challenger Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
83th percentile in CA
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

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 6.5/10, 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 8.5
Jonas Salk Elementary San Diego 0.6 mi 8.7
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 8.3
Mira Mesa High San Diego 0.9 mi 7.8
Mason Elementary San Diego 1.1 mi 5.1
KINDERHOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL San Diego 1.2 mi 7.4
Zensei Education San Diego 1.5 mi
Ericson Elementary San Diego 1.5 mi 8.6
Christ the Cornerstone Lutheran Academy San Diego 1.6 mi
Altus Schools Charter School of San Diego San Diego 1.7 mi 4.7
Park Village Elementary San Diego 2.0 mi 8.1
Walker Elementary San Diego 1.8 mi 6.3
Wangenheim Middle San Diego 1.9 mi 6.5
Via Talentum Academy San Diego 2.1 mi
Hage Elementary San Diego 2.2 mi 5.8
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 8.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alamitos Intermediate Garden Grove, CA 8.0
Arlie F. Hutchinson Middle La Mirada, CA 8.0
Castillero Middle San Jose, CA 8.0
Edward J. Richardson Middle Torrance, CA 8.0
El Monte Middle Orosi, CA 8.0
El Sausal Middle Salinas, CA 8.0

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 ranks #1,627 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Challenger Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenger Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Challenger Middle has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

District

San Diego Unified
District Enrollment
95,492
Schools in District
175
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,828
District Rank
#60 of 174

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