Excellent
#48 of 1,815 schools in CO
Top 3% in state
Challenge School
Elementary School · Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
9659 EAST MISSISSIPPI AVENUE, Denver, CO 80231
Enrollment
563
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
563
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#48 of 1,815
In Denver
#18 of 222
public schools
In district
#4 of 70
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah
Academic performance
10.0 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Challenge School?
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Challenge School
Elementary School in Denver · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Three Bears Learning Center
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
American Global Academy
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Challenge School
Challenge School is a public elementary school in Denver, CO, part of Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah. Challenge School serves approximately 563 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenge School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #48 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Challenge School show 90% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 9.0 · Excellent
- District avg 6.6
- CO avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Challenge School — Students at Challenge School score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 41 test records from CO 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: 9.3/10.
How Challenge School Compares
See how Challenge School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
9659 EAST MISSISSIPPI AVENUE, Denver, CO 80231
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challenge School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rocky Mountain Prep Creekside (rated 9.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF DENVER (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Place Bridge Academy (rated 6.3/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THREE BEARS LEARNING CENTER Denver | 0.5 mi | — |
| AMERICAN GLOBAL ACADEMY Denver | 1.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Highline Community Elementary School Aurora | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Lotus School for Excellence Aurora | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Aurora Academy Charter School Aurora | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Ponderosa Elementary School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Lowry Elementary School Denver | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Village East Community Elementary School Aurora | 1.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Rocky Mountain Prep Creekside Denver | 1.7 mi | 9.3 |
| DENVER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Denver | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| BISHOP MACHEBEUF HIGH SCHOOL Denver | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| New America School - Aurora Aurora | 2.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Place Bridge Academy Denver | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Lansing Elementary Community School Aurora | 2.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Fulton Academy of Excellence Aurora | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF DENVER Denver | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL AT LOWRY Denver | 2.0 mi | — |
| MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN Aurora | 2.0 mi | — |
| Vanguard Classical School - West Denver | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Denver Green School Southeast Denver | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 80231 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,961
Median Home Value
$489,900
Median Rent
$1,727/mo
Population
35,297
College Educated
50.1%
Homeownership
38.5%
Avg Commute
25.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Median Age
34
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chipeta Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 9.0 |
| Colorado STEM Academy Westminster, CO | 9.0 |
| Eldorado Elementary School Highlands Ranch, CO | 9.0 |
| Fireside Elementary School Louisville, CO | 9.0 |
| Kyffin Elementary School Golden, CO | 9.0 |
| Littleton Academy Littleton, CO | 9.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Challenge School
What grades does Challenge School serve?
Challenge School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Challenge School?
Challenge School has an enrollment of approximately 563 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenge School?
The student-teacher ratio at Challenge School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Challenge School rank in CO?
Challenge School ranks #48 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Challenge School's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenge School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 Challenge School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Challenge School has 90% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Challenge School a charter school?
No, Challenge School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Challenge School a Title I school?
No, Challenge School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challenge School?
18.8% of students at Challenge School 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
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 563
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Arapahoe County
- Phone
- (720) 747-2100
Resources & Links
District
Cherry Creek School District No. 5 in the county of Arapah- District Enrollment
- 51,808
- Schools in District
- 70
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,158
- District Rank
- #4 of 70
How we rate schools
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