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Average

#1798 of 3,778 schools in FL

Top 48% in state

Challenger Middle School

Middle School · LEE

624 TRAFALGAR PKWY, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Enrollment

1,142

Student-Teacher

21.5:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#1,798 of 3,778

In Cape Coral

#10 of 26

public schools

In district

#24 of 110

LEE

Academic performance

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Challenger Middle School

6.4/10

Middle School in Cape Coral · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Patriot Elementary School

7.3/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Skyline Elementary School

6.7/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Challenger Middle School

Challenger Middle School is a public middle school in Cape Coral, FL, part of LEE. Challenger Middle School serves approximately 1,142 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenger Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,798 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Challenger Middle School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • FL avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Challenger Middle School runs 21.5:1 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.

46% of students at Challenger Middle School 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 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.7% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg+3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.4 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected+6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,108
Chronic Absenteeism45.5%

Challenger Middle School — Students at Challenger Middle School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 65.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.5% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 60.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.8% (2024 FAST)

Based on 33 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
64%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
61%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
68%
ELA
66%
2013
ELA
69%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
68%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
61%
2017
Math
75%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
73%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
73%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
59%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
59%
ELA
56%
2022
Math
60.4%
ELA
55.9%
2024
Math
58.7%
ELA
54%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Challenger Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in FL
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

624 TRAFALGAR PKWY, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Challenger Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. TRAFALGAR MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is GULF MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MARINER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cape Coral, see our Cape Coral schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
PATRIOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cape Coral 0.1 mi 7.3
SKYLINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cape Coral 0.4 mi 6.7
HERITAGE CHARTER ACADEMY OF CAPE CORAL Cape Coral 1.1 mi 4.2
CAPE CORAL HIGH SCHOOL Cape Coral 1.2 mi 6.6
CAPE CORAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cape Coral 1.4 mi 6.2
GRACE COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF SKYLINE Cape Coral 1.7 mi
NORTH NICHOLAS HIGH SCHOOL Cape Coral 1.7 mi 4.1
MID CAPE GLOBAL ACADEMY Cape Coral 1.8 mi 3.2
TRAFALGAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cape Coral 1.7 mi 5.7
TRAFALGAR MIDDLE SCHOOL Cape Coral 1.7 mi 6.8
CHRISTIAN LIFE ACADEMY Cape Coral 1.8 mi 7.3
CHRISTIAN LIFE ACADEMY OF LEE COUNTY Cape Coral 1.9 mi 7.1
BRIGHTON ACADEMY I Cape Coral 2.3 mi 5.9
NICAEA ACADEMY OF CAPE CORAL Cape Coral 2.4 mi 8.8
PELICAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cape Coral 2.5 mi 5.7
HECTOR A. CAFFERATA JR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cape Coral 2.6 mi 4.7
GULF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cape Coral 2.6 mi 6.8
GULF MIDDLE SCHOOL Cape Coral 2.9 mi 6.3
MARINER MIDDLE SCHOOL Cape Coral 2.9 mi 6.1
IDA S. BAKER HIGH SCHOOL Cape Coral 2.9 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33991 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,927

Median Home Value

$351,100

Median Rent

$1,914/mo

Population

25,991

College Educated

24.6%

Homeownership

79%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

46.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BONITA SPRINGS MIDDLE CENTER FOR THE ARTS Bonita Springs, FL 6.4
CHILES MIDDLE SCHOOL Oviedo, FL 6.4
CONNISTON MIDDLE SCHOOL West Palm Beach, FL 6.4
CUTLER BAY MIDDLE Cutler Bay, FL 6.4
JOHN HOPKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL St. Petersburg, FL 6.4
REDLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL Homestead, FL 6.4

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 1,142 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School is 21.5:1. 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 FL?

Challenger Middle School ranks #1,798 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Challenger Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenger Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Challenger Middle School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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?

52.7% 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

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,142
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Lee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.5%

District

LEE
District Enrollment
100,064
Schools in District
120
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,108
District Rank
#24 of 110

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