Skip to main content

Very Good

#1045 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 33% in state

Challenger Elementary

Elementary School · Kentwood Public Schools

2475 52ND ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508

Enrollment

367

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,045 of 3,192

In Grand Rapids

#46 of 126

public schools

In district

#6 of 16

Kentwood Public Schools

Equity

8.3 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Challenger Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Challenger Elementary

7.0/10

Elementary School in Grand Rapids · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Trinitas Classical School

8.6/10

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

Crestwood Middle School

7.0/10

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

About Challenger Elementary

Challenger Elementary is a public elementary school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Kentwood Public Schools. Challenger Elementary serves approximately 367 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenger Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,045 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Challenger Elementary show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • MI avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.6 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,114
Chronic Absenteeism25.3%

Challenger Elementary — Students at Challenger Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 51.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
43.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
31.4%
ELA
48%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Challenger Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in MI
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
6.9/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

Location

2475 52ND ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Challenger Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Explorer Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Caledonia), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bowen Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Grand Rapids 0.6 mi 8.6
Crestwood Middle School Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 7.0
Discovery Elementary Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 7.0
Excel Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.3
Pinewood Middle School Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.0
East Kentwood Freshman Campus Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 4.0
Brookwood Elementary Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 5.9
East Kentwood High School Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 6.8
Bowen Elementary Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 7.6
Explorer Elementary Caledonia 1.9 mi 7.8
Sherwood Global Studies Academy Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 7.4
Valleywood Middle School Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 5.0
DUTTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Caledonia 2.1 mi 5.5
Lighthouse Academy South Campus Kentwood 2.1 mi 5.3
Meadowlawn Elementary Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 7.1
Glenwood Elementary Grand Rapids 2.0 mi 4.6
Endeavor Elementary Grand Rapids 2.1 mi 6.5
New Branches Charter Academy Grand Rapids 2.4 mi 4.4
PrepNet Virtual Academy Grand Rapids 2.4 mi 3.4
KenOSha Park Elementary Grand Rapids 2.7 mi 3.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49508 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,328

Median Home Value

$257,900

Median Rent

$1,179/mo

Population

41,924

College Educated

33.2%

Homeownership

61.1%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

35.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abbot School Ann Arbor, MI 7.0
Angell Elementary School Berkley, MI 7.0
Bingham Farms Elementary School Bingham Farms, MI 7.0
Brown School Saint Joseph, MI 7.0
Bushnell Elementary School Lowell, MI 7.0
Cass City Elementary Cass City, MI 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Challenger Elementary

What grades does Challenger Elementary serve?

Challenger Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Challenger Elementary?

Challenger Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 367 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Challenger Elementary rank in MI?

Challenger Elementary ranks #1,045 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Challenger Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenger Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Challenger Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Challenger Elementary has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Challenger Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Challenger Elementary a Title I school?

No, Challenger Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

78.7% of students at Challenger Elementary 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Kent County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

District

Kentwood Public Schools
District Enrollment
9,422
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,114
District Rank
#6 of 16

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.