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Average

#1615 of 3,190 schools in MI

Challenger Elementary School

Elementary School · Howell Public Schools

1066 WEST GRAND RIVER AVE, Howell, MI 48843

Enrollment

459

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Howell

#6 of 13

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#910 of 1,602

In district

#3 of 10

Howell Public Schools

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Challenger Elementary School

Challenger Elementary School serves 459 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Howell, Michigan, earning a solid 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #539 out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Michigan's public elementary schools. With 33 full-time equivalent teachers, Challenger maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.9 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom.

Located on West Grand River Avenue, the school draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $89,542 and median home values average $305,000. The surrounding area reflects educational priorities, with 37% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 4.8%. This stable economic foundation often translates into strong family support for educational initiatives.

As a regular public school in Livingston County, Challenger Elementary benefits from being situated in Howell's mid-size suburban environment, which offers students the advantages of a close-knit community while remaining connected to broader educational and recreational opportunities throughout southeastern Michigan.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.5%
Math vs. State Avg+3.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-12.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,675

Challenger Elementary School — Students at Challenger Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.2%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 42.7%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
45.3%
ELA
40.4%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Challenger Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in MI
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

1066 WEST GRAND RIVER AVE, Howell, MI 48843

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Challenger Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hornung Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Brighton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southwest Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Farley Hill Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Pinckney), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Howell, see our Howell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Howell High School Howell 0.3 mi 5.3
Southwest Elementary School Howell 0.4 mi 7.6
Adult Transition Services Howell 0.4 mi 5.5
Voyager Elementary School Howell 0.6 mi 6.5
Pathway School Howell 0.4 mi 8.9
Highlander Way Middle School Howell 0.5 mi 6.1
Northwest Elementary School Howell 0.8 mi 6.1
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Howell 1.2 mi 5.4
Innovation Academy Howell 1.5 mi 4.5
Parker Middle School Howell 3.4 mi 6.0
Ruahmah J Hutchings Elementary Howell 3.4 mi 5.0
Three Fires Elementary Howell 5.3 mi 4.4
Natalie Kreeger Elementary School Fowlerville 7.1 mi 3.8
Farley Hill Elementary School Pinckney 9.1 mi 7.5
HT Smith Elementary School Fowlerville 7.2 mi 5.8
Fowlerville Junior High School Fowlerville 7.4 mi 6.6
Fowlerville High School Fowlerville 7.6 mi 3.9
Fowlerville Online Learning Academy Fowlerville 7.6 mi 4.8
Hornung Elementary School Brighton 8.6 mi 8.5
Light of the World Academy Pinckney 10.6 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48843 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,620

Median Home Value

$323,100

Median Rent

$1,221/mo

Population

46,902

College Educated

37.3%

Homeownership

77.2%

Avg Commute

28.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.6%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Challenger Elementary School has a median household income of $91,620. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $323,100, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Alice M Birney K8 School Southfield, MI 6.3
Bennett Woods Elementary School Okemos, MI 6.3
Brewer Academy Detroit, MI 6.3
Carpenter Elem School Lake Orion, MI 6.3
Chestnut Hill Elementary School Midland, MI 6.3
Columbiaville Elementary School Otisville, MI 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Challenger Elementary School

What grades does Challenger Elementary School serve?

Challenger Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Challenger Elementary School?

Challenger Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 459 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Challenger Elementary School rank in MI?

Challenger Elementary School is ranked #1615 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Challenger Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenger Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenger Elementary School has 45.2% math proficiency and 42.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Challenger Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Challenger Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

29.8% of students at Challenger Elementary 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
Elevated (751/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Livingston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Howell Public Schools
District Enrollment
6,722
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,228
District Rank
#3 of 10

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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