Needs Improvement
#9116 of 9,539 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
3.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
3.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,116 of 9,539
In Lancaster
#39 of 47
public schools
In district
#2 of 2
Wilsona Elementary
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Challenger Middle
Middle School in Lancaster · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Vista San Gabriel Elementary
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lake Los Angeles Elementary
3.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Challenger Middle
Challenger Middle is a public middle school in Lancaster, CA, part of Wilsona Elementary. Challenger Middle serves approximately 553 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 25.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenger Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #9,116 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Challenger Middle show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- CA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Challenger Middle runs 25.1:1 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.
Challenger Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
36% of students at Challenger Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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 32 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: 3.1/10.
How Challenger Middle Compares
See how Challenger Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 5.9/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Palmdale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Keppel Academy (rated 4.5/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Littlerock), which scores notably higher. 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 | 3.7 |
| Lake Los Angeles Elementary Palmdale | 3.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Littlerock High Littlerock | 7.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Daisy Gibson Elementary Palmdale | 8.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Antelope Elementary Littlerock | 9.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Pearblossom Elementary Pearblossom | 10.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Keppel Academy Littlerock | 11.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Alpine Elementary Littlerock | 12.1 mi | 4.2 |
| William J. (Pete) Knight High Palmdale | 11.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Eastside Elementary Lancaster | 11.6 mi | 4.9 |
| ACADEMY FOR ADVANCEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM Lancaster | 11.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Los Amigos - Dual Immersion Palmdale | 11.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Academy for Advancement of Children with Autism - AV Lancaster | 11.6 mi | — |
| El Mirage Adelanto | 11.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Golden Poppy Elementary Palmdale | 11.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Shadow Hills Engineering and Design Magnet Academy Palmdale | 12.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Quail Valley Elementary Palmdale | 12.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Chaparral Prep Academy Palmdale | 13.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Buena Vista Elementary Palmdale | 13.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Yellen Learning Center Palmdale | 13.5 mi | 6.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| KIPP Academy of Innovation Los Angeles, CA | 3.4 |
| Silverado Middle Napa, CA | 3.4 |
| Abraham Lincoln Jr. High Bakersfield, CA | 3.3 |
| Antioch Middle Antioch, CA | 3.3 |
| Baechtel Grove Middle Willits, CA | 3.5 |
| California City Middle California City, CA | 3.3 |
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 ranks #9,116 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Challenger Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% 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?
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.0%
- Phone
- (661) 264-1790
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
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