Below Average
#8735 of 9,533 schools in CA
Challenger Middle
Middle School · Wilsona Elementary
41725 North 170th St. East, Lancaster, CA 93535
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
4.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lancaster
#37 of 47
public schools
California middle schools
#1,272 of 1,349
In district
#2 of 2
Wilsona Elementary
About Challenger Middle
Challenger Middle is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Lancaster, California. Serving students from fifth to eighth grade, Challenger Middle has an enrollment of 553 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.1:1 with 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 2.3 out of 10, placing it at the 2nd percentile among California schools in terms of state ranking.
Academically, Challenger Middle has room for improvement according to recent performance metrics, where only 17% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and just 8% are proficient or above in math. The school is focused on supporting its students' development through a variety of educational programs tailored to meet their needs. Challenger Middle is situated in a quiet rural area that offers a peaceful environment for learning, though specific neighborhood details are not available.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle is 25.1:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Challenger Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Challenger Middle — Students at Challenger Middle score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.2%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.
How Challenger Middle Compares
See how Challenger Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 13% (2019) to 6.74% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 15.28% (2024).
Location
41725 North 170th St. East, Lancaster, CA 93535
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challenger Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Shadow Hills Engineering and Design Magnet Academy (rated 5.6/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Palmdale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Keppel Academy (rated 4.3/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Littlerock), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Vista San Gabriel Elementary Palmdale | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Lake Los Angeles Elementary Palmdale | 3.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Littlerock High Littlerock | 7.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Daisy Gibson Elementary Palmdale | 8.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Antelope Elementary Littlerock | 9.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Pearblossom Elementary Pearblossom | 10.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Keppel Academy Littlerock | 11.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Alpine Elementary Littlerock | 12.1 mi | 5.8 |
| William J. (Pete) Knight High Palmdale | 11.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Eastside Elementary Lancaster | 11.6 mi | 7.0 |
| ACADEMY FOR ADVANCEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM Lancaster | 11.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Los Amigos - Dual Immersion Palmdale | 11.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Academy for Advancement of Children with Autism - AV Lancaster | 11.6 mi | — |
| El Mirage Adelanto | 11.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Golden Poppy Elementary Palmdale | 11.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Shadow Hills Engineering and Design Magnet Academy Palmdale | 12.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Quail Valley Elementary Palmdale | 12.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Chaparral Prep Academy Palmdale | 13.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Buena Vista Elementary Palmdale | 13.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Yellen Learning Center Palmdale | 13.5 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93535 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,989
Median Home Value
$336,200
Median Rent
$1,650/mo
Population
80,478
College Educated
14.2%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
33.5 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Median Age
31.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challenger Middle has a median household income of $65,989. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $336,200, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Alpine Vista Middle Tulare, CA | 4.2 |
| Betty Reid Soskin Middle El Sobrante, CA | 4.2 |
| Buena Vista Middle Salinas, CA | 4.2 |
| Fulton and Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering Lancaster, CA | 4.2 |
| Martin Murphy Middle San Jose, CA | 4.2 |
| Maywood Middle Corning, CA | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Challenger Middle
What grades does Challenger Middle serve?
Challenger Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Challenger Middle?
Challenger Middle has an enrollment of approximately 553 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle is 25.1:1. 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 #8735 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Challenger Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger Middle has a composite rating of 4.2 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 7.8% math proficiency and 17.0% 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?
96.2% 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
- City Safety
- High (2,788/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lancaster). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 553
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (661) 264-1790
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wilsona Elementary- District Enrollment
- 1,257
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,459
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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