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Average

#1204 of 1,815 schools in CO

Challenger Middle School

Middle School · Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an

10215 LEXINGTON DRIVE, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Enrollment

652

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Colorado Springs

#119 of 180

public schools

Colorado middle schools

#176 of 276

In district

#32 of 39

Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an

Equity

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Challenger Middle School

Challenger Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Colorado Springs, El Paso County. Situated at 10215 Lexington Drive, the school serves students in grades six through eight and has an enrollment of 652 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1. Challenger Middle School offers its students a supportive learning environment with 38 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to their education.

According to MySchoolScout’s data, the school ranks 605th out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it in the 67th percentile overall and scoring an academic rating of 8.3/10. In terms of proficiency rates, 66% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 49% meet or exceed standards in math. While there is no specific neighborhood data available for Challenger Middle School’s area, the school is situated within a large city setting, providing access to various resources and opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,954

Challenger Middle School — Students at Challenger Middle School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
56%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
47%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Challenger Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
34th percentile in CO
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

10215 LEXINGTON DRIVE, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Challenger Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mountain Ridge Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chinook Trail Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Timberview Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Colorado Springs, see our Colorado Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Mountain View Elementary School Colorado Springs 0.1 mi 4.4
Mountain Ridge Middle School Colorado Springs 1.0 mi 7.2
Pine Creek High School Colorado Springs 0.9 mi 6.8
Academy International Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.2 mi 4.9
Encompass Heights Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.3 mi 8.5
TCA College Pathways Colorado Springs 1.3 mi 6.2
Ascend College Prep Colorado Springs 1.6 mi 6.2
Rampart High School Colorado Springs 2.0 mi 7.2
Village High School Colorado Springs 1.9 mi 4.2
Academy Endeavour Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.0 mi 5.5
Explorer Elementary School Colorado Springs 1.9 mi 7.5
Aspen Valley Campus Colorado Springs 2.1 mi 7.3
High Plains Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.2 mi 5.9
New Summit Charter Academy Colorado Springs 2.3 mi 6.4
Frontier Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.4 mi 8.0
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MONTESSORI ACADEMY Colorado Springs 2.6 mi
Timberview Middle School Colorado Springs 2.3 mi 4.9
Chinook Trail Elementary School Colorado Springs 2.2 mi 6.3
Chinook Trail Middle School Colorado Springs 2.3 mi 6.7
Liberty High School Colorado Springs 2.5 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,233

Median Home Value

$484,900

Median Rent

$1,955/mo

Population

38,154

College Educated

53%

Homeownership

67.4%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.5%

Median Age

36.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Challenger Middle School has a median household income of $111,233. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $484,900, with a median rent of $1,955/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Centennial Middle School Montrose, CO 5.6
Lewis-Palmer Middle School Monument, CO 5.6
Horizon Middle School Aurora, CO 5.5
Shaw Heights Middle School Westminster, CO 5.5
DSST: College View Middle School Denver, CO 5.7
Horizon Middle School Colorado Springs, CO 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Challenger Middle School

What grades does Challenger Middle School serve?

Challenger Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Challenger Middle School?

Challenger Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 652 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Challenger Middle School rank in CO?

Challenger Middle School is ranked #1204 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Challenger Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenger Middle School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenger Middle School has 49.3% math proficiency and 66.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Challenger Middle School a charter school?

No, Challenger Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Challenger Middle School a Title I school?

No, Challenger Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challenger Middle School?

16.4% of students at Challenger Middle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,194/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Colorado Springs). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
652
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
El Paso County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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