Average
#1128 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 35% 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
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Rapids
#58 of 111
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#662 of 1,602
In district
#9 of 16
Kentwood Public Schools
Equity
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Challenger Elementary
Challenger Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 367 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1, Challenger Elementary offers a supportive learning environment with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.3 out of 10, placing it in the 66th percentile among Michigan schools, ranking at #1092 out of 3204 schools.
Academically, Challenger Elementary has an overall score of 6.1/10, with 47% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in ELA and reading, while 36% are proficient or above in math. Despite these scores indicating room for academic growth, the school continues to focus on student development and support. Challenger Elementary is situated in a small city setting within Kent County, offering a community feel that fosters engagement and learning among its students.
Score Breakdown
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Challenger Elementary — Students at Challenger Elementary score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.5/10.
How Challenger Elementary Compares
See how Challenger Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 31.76% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 48.5% (2022).
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 Bowen Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brookwood Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 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 | 8.3 |
| Discovery Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Excel Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Pinewood Middle School Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| East Kentwood Freshman Campus Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Brookwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| East Kentwood High School Grand Rapids | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Bowen Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Explorer Elementary Caledonia | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Sherwood Global Studies Academy Grand Rapids | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Valleywood Middle School Grand Rapids | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| DUTTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Caledonia | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Lighthouse Academy South Campus Kentwood | 2.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Meadowlawn Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Glenwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Endeavor Elementary Grand Rapids | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
| New Branches Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| PrepNet Virtual Academy Grand Rapids | 2.4 mi | 3.7 |
| KenOSha Park Elementary Grand Rapids | 2.7 mi | 6.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challenger Elementary has a median household income of $65,328. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $257,900, with a median rent of $1,179/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Arrowwood Elementary School Saginaw, MI | 6.9 |
| Atherton Elementary School Burton, MI | 6.9 |
| Brick Elementary School Ypsilanti, MI | 6.9 |
| Browning Elementary School Sterling Heights, MI | 6.9 |
| Bushnell Elementary School Lowell, MI | 6.9 |
| CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI | 6.9 |
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 is ranked #1128 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Challenger Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenger Elementary has 35.8% math proficiency and 46.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,416/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (616) 698-2524
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kentwood Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,422
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,114
- District Rank
- #9 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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