Average
#3919 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 46% in state
Challenge Early College H S
High School · HOUSTON ISD
5601 W LOOP S, Houston, TX 77081
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
480
Student-Teacher
21.8:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houston
#215 of 723
public schools
Texas high schools
#965 of 1,699
In district
#80 of 272
HOUSTON ISD
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Challenge Early College H S
Challenge Early College High School is a public high school located in the bustling city of Houston, Texas. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, it offers an educational environment with 480 enrolled students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.8:1. The school’s approach to education aims to prepare students for college by integrating rigorous coursework that encourages academic achievement.
According to the MySchoolScout Rating system, Challenge Early College High School has a rating of 5.8 out of 10, placing it in the middle range among Texas schools. Its state ranking is at #3892 out of 8598 schools across the state, which means there’s room for improvement but also potential for growth. Academically, the school performs well with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 84% and a Math proficiency rate of 67%, indicating a strong emphasis on literacy while recognizing areas for development in mathematics.
Challenge Early College High School is situated in a vibrant part of Houston, surrounded by diverse urban neighborhoods. The setting provides students with numerous opportunities to engage with the community, explore cultural events, and benefit from the resources available in a large city environment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Challenge Early College H S is 21.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Challenge Early College H S — Students at Challenge Early College H S score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX 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: 2.7/10.
How Challenge Early College H S Compares
See how Challenge Early College H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 92% (2019) to 77% (2021).
Location
5601 W LOOP S, Houston, TX 77081
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challenge Early College H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MIDDLE COLLEGE H S AT HCC GULFTON (rated 6.4/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Bellaire), with a very similar rating. Additionally, FUSION ACADEMY HS1: HOUSTON GALLERIA (rated 5.4/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PIN OAK MIDDLE Bellaire | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| CAROLINE SCHOOL/EASTER SEALS CHILDRENS THERAPY Houston | 0.3 mi | — |
| EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL Bellaire | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| THE POST OAK SCHOOL Bellaire | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| THE POST OAK SCHOOL Bellaire | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| KOLTER EL Houston | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| BONNE VIE SCHOOL Houston | 0.7 mi | — |
| CUNNINGHAM EL Houston | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN DAY SCHOOL Bellaire | 1.0 mi | — |
| LIBERTY H S Houston | 1.1 mi | 2.9 |
| MIDDLE COLLEGE H S AT HCC GULFTON Houston | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| FUSION ACADEMY HS1: HOUSTON GALLERIA Houston | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| CONDIT EL Bellaire | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| RODRIGUEZ EL Houston | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| SCHOOL AT ST GEORGE PLACE Houston | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| AMIGOS POR VIDA-FRIENDS FOR LIFE CHARTER SCHOOL Houston | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| FRIENDS FOR LIFE MIDDLE Houston | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| SER-NINOS CHARTER HIGH Houston | 1.3 mi | — |
| MANDARIN IMMERSION MAGNET SCHOOL Houston | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| SER-NINOS CHARTER MIDDLE Houston | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77081 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,228
Median Home Value
$245,200
Median Rent
$990/mo
Population
51,366
College Educated
19.5%
Homeownership
6.5%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
33.5%
Median Age
28.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challenge Early College H S has a median household income of $42,228. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,200, with a median rent of $990/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| ALIEF EARLY COLLEGE H S Houston, TX | 6.5 |
| BOLING H S Boling, TX | 6.5 |
| BRAZOS H S Wallis, TX | 6.5 |
| COLDSPRING-OAKHURST H S Coldspring, TX | 6.5 |
| COMANCHE H S Comanche, TX | 6.5 |
| JUDSON EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY Live Oak, TX | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Challenge Early College H S
What grades does Challenge Early College H S serve?
Challenge Early College H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Challenge Early College H S?
Challenge Early College H S has an enrollment of approximately 480 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenge Early College H S?
The student-teacher ratio at Challenge Early College H S is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Challenge Early College H S rank in TX?
Challenge Early College H S is ranked #3919 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Challenge Early College H S's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenge Early College H S has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Challenge Early College H S?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenge Early College H S has 67.0% math proficiency and 84.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Challenge Early College H S a charter school?
No, Challenge Early College H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Challenge Early College H S a Title I school?
No, Challenge Early College H S is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challenge Early College H S?
84.0% of students at Challenge Early College H S 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
- High (5,451/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Houston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 480
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Harris County
- Phone
- (713) 664-9712
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HOUSTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 184,109
- Schools in District
- 274
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,072
- District Rank
- #80 of 272
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
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Houston, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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