Average
#1134 of 1,986 schools in MN
Challenger Elementary
Elementary School · THIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
601 COUNTY RD 61, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Enrollment
781
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
781
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Thief River Falls
#1 of 3
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#680 of 962
In district
#1 of 3
THIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Challenger Elementary
Challenger Elementary serves prekindergarten through fifth grade students in Thief River Falls, a remote town in Pennington County, Minnesota. The school enrolls 781 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, supported by 57 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Challenger Elementary ranks at the 51st percentile statewide, placing it near the middle of Minnesota's school performance landscape.
In reading and language arts, about 52% of students score at or above proficiency levels, while math proficiency sits at 53% across grade levels. These results suggest the school has room for academic growth, with students showing developing skills in core subjects. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 reflects mixed performance across measured categories.
With an academic score of 6.7 out of 10, there's an opportunity for the school community to focus on strengthening instructional practices and student achievement in both literacy and numeracy. Located in remote northwestern Minnesota, Challenger Elementary is part of the Thief River Falls community and serves as an important educational hub for young learners in the region.
Score Breakdown
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Challenger Elementary — Students at Challenger Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN 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: 5.1/10.
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 64% (2019) to 50% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 50% (2022).
Location
601 COUNTY RD 61, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challenger Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J.A. HUGHES ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Red Lake Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is WIN-E-MAC ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 30.8 miles away, in nearby Erskine), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY (rated 7.2/10, 29.1 miles away, in nearby Crookston), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thief River Falls, see our Thief River Falls schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 29.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FRANKLIN MIDDLE Thief River Falls | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| NORTHWEST AREA LEARNING CENTER Thief River Falls | 1.4 mi | — |
| LINCOLN SENIOR HIGH Thief River Falls | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| ST BERNARD'S SCHOOL Thief River Falls | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Thief River Falls | 1.6 mi | — |
| Red Lake County Central Elementary Plummer | 14.2 mi | 5.5 |
| J.A. HUGHES ELEMENTARY Red Lake Falls | 15.3 mi | 8.4 |
| LAFAYETTE SECONDARY Red Lake Falls | 15.7 mi | 6.7 |
| VIKING ELEMENTARY Viking | 13.9 mi | 7.1 |
| NEWFOLDEN ELEMENTARY Newfolden | 19.5 mi | 6.0 |
| MARSHALL COUNTY CENTRAL HIGH Newfolden | 19.6 mi | 7.0 |
| GOODRIDGE ELEMENTARY Goodridge | 17.1 mi | 6.4 |
| GOODRIDGE SECONDARY Goodridge | 17.1 mi | 4.8 |
| RLCC Elementary at Oklee Oklee | 22.9 mi | — |
| Red Lake County Central High School Oklee | 22.9 mi | 7.8 |
| WIN-E-MAC ELEMENTARY Erskine | 30.8 mi | 8.2 |
| WIN-E-MAC SECONDARY Erskine | 30.8 mi | 4.9 |
| HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY Crookston | 29.1 mi | 7.2 |
| CROOKSTON SECONDARY Crookston | 29.0 mi | 3.8 |
| WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY Crookston | 29.6 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,243
Median Home Value
$189,700
Median Rent
$897/mo
Population
12,814
College Educated
19.9%
Homeownership
70.1%
Avg Commute
13.1 min
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Median Age
40.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challenger Elementary has a median household income of $73,243. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,700, with a median rent of $897/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 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 |
|---|---|
| BLUE HERON ELEMENTARY Lino Lakes, MN | 6.1 |
| HEART OF THE LAKE ELEMENTARY Perham, MN | 6.1 |
| Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion Saint Paul Park, MN | 6.1 |
| OAK HILL COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY Saint Cloud, MN | 6.1 |
| OTSEGO ELEMENTARY Otsego, MN | 6.1 |
| RIVERVIEW ELEMENTARY Farmington, MN | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Challenger Elementary
What grades does Challenger Elementary serve?
Challenger Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Challenger Elementary?
Challenger Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 781 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary is 13.7:1. 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 MN?
Challenger Elementary is ranked #1134 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Challenger Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 53.3% math proficiency and 52.0% 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?
43.8% 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,497/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Thief River Falls). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 781
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Pennington County
- Phone
- (218) 681-2345
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
THIEF RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,811
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,994
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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