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Very Good

#1161 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 31% in state

Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math

Elementary School · HERNANDO

13400 ELGIN BLVD, Spring Hill, FL 34609

Enrollment

1,467

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Spring Hill

#3 of 15

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#1,009 of 2,196

In district

#6 of 27

HERNANDO

Equity

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math

Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math serves 1,467 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Spring Hill, Florida. This high-performing public elementary school boasts an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks in the 95th percentile statewide, placing 183rd among Florida's 3,816 schools. The school's academic excellence shines through in standardized test results, with 81% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an even stronger 84% in mathematics.

These outstanding outcomes reflect the school's specialized focus on science and math education. With 86 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Challenger maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 17.1 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school draws families from throughout the Spring Hill area, where the median household income of $71,303 and median home value of $244,700 reflect a stable, middle-class community.

About 21% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.1%. Challenger K-8 is situated in this mid-size suburban setting, providing students with both academic rigor and the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Math vs. State Avg+23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+24.8 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+25.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,962

Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math — Students at Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 84.6%
School
State
55.3%
ELA Proficiency 81.4%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 17 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
91%
ELA
86%
2021*
Math
84%
ELA
80%
2024
Math
83.7%
ELA
81%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math Compares

See how Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
69th percentile in FL
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
86 teachers

Location

13400 ELGIN BLVD, Spring Hill, FL 34609

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SUNCOAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is CHOCACHATTI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Brooksville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, GULF COAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Spring Hill, see our Spring Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
POWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooksville 1.0 mi 5.4
JOHN D. FLOYD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Spring Hill 1.2 mi 5.9
PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS Spring Hill 1.2 mi
WIDER HORIZONS SCHOOL Spring Hill 1.5 mi 6.2
SPRING HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Spring Hill 1.7 mi 5.9
NATURE COAST TECHNICAL HIGH Brooksville 2.4 mi 4.5
GOLDEN BRANCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spring Hill 2.4 mi 6.6
CHOCACHATTI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brooksville 2.4 mi 7.4
FOR EACH 1 REACH 1 MENTORING PROGRAM INC. Brooksville 2.9 mi
FRANK W. SPRINGSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL Spring Hill 2.6 mi 6.1
SPRING HILL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spring Hill 2.7 mi 6.2
GULF COAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Spring Hill 2.7 mi 7.2
GULF COAST ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Spring Hill 3.0 mi 7.7
EXPLORER K-8 Spring Hill 3.1 mi 6.8
HERNANDO COUNTY JAIL Brooksville 3.2 mi
LIFE PRIMARY SCHOOL Spring Hill 3.9 mi 6.9
FOX CHAPEL MIDDLE SCHOOL Spring Hill 3.9 mi 6.6
SUNCOAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Spring Hill 4.6 mi 8.1
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Brooksville 4.8 mi 4.4
WEST HERNANDO MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooksville 4.8 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 34609 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,284

Median Home Value

$275,900

Median Rent

$1,593/mo

Population

46,066

College Educated

22.2%

Homeownership

83%

Avg Commute

27.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

44.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math has a median household income of $79,284. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $275,900, with a median rent of $1,593/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
BOB GRAHAM EDUCATION CENTER Miami Lakes, FL 7.2
EMBASSY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cooper City, FL 7.2
KINGSFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cantonment, FL 7.2
LAMARQUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Port, FL 7.2
MANATEE BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Weston, FL 7.2
MILL CREEK ACADEMY St. Augustine, FL 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math

What grades does Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math serve?

Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math?

Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math has an enrollment of approximately 1,467 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math?

The student-teacher ratio at Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math rank in FL?

Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math is ranked #1161 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math has a composite rating of 7.2 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 K-8 School of Science and Math?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math has 84.6% math proficiency and 81.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math a charter school?

No, Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math a Title I school?

No, Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math?

36.4% of students at Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,263/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
1,467
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
86
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Hernando County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HERNANDO
District Enrollment
24,015
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,856
District Rank
#6 of 27

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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