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Excellent

#903 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 11% 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

8.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#903 of 8,552

In Houston

#49 of 723

public schools

In district

#33 of 272

HOUSTON ISD

Equity

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Challenge Early College H S

8.4/10

High School in Houston · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pin Oak Middle

8.3/10

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

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Nearby

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

About Challenge Early College H S

Challenge Early College H S is a public high school in Houston, TX, part of HOUSTON ISD. Challenge Early College H S serves approximately 480 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 21.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenge Early College H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #903 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Challenge Early College H S show 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 94% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.1
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Challenge Early College H S runs 21.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency94% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg+26.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+39.7 pts
Overall Proficiency82% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+43.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness9.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation88.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,072
Chronic Absenteeism1.7%

Challenge Early College H S — Students at Challenge Early College H S score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 85.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 93.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 28 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
99.5%
ELA
99.5%
2013
Math
95%
ELA
99.5%
2014
Math
97.5%
ELA
99.5%
2015
Math
95%
ELA
98%
2016
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
92%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
70%
ELA
94%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Challenge Early College H S Compares

See how Challenge Early College H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in TX
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
1.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
88.1% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Bellaire), a more accessible option. Another option is FUSION ACADEMY HS1: HOUSTON GALLERIA (rated 5.4/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, MIDDLE COLLEGE H S AT HCC GULFTON (rated 4.4/10, 1.1 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 8.3
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 8.5
BONNE VIE SCHOOL Houston 0.7 mi
CUNNINGHAM EL Houston 0.7 mi 7.5
FAITH LUTHERAN DAY SCHOOL Bellaire 1.0 mi
LIBERTY H S Houston 1.1 mi 3.6
MIDDLE COLLEGE H S AT HCC GULFTON Houston 1.1 mi 4.4
FUSION ACADEMY HS1: HOUSTON GALLERIA Houston 1.3 mi 5.4
CONDIT EL Bellaire 1.4 mi 8.5
RODRIGUEZ EL Houston 1.2 mi 3.9
SCHOOL AT ST GEORGE PLACE Houston 1.4 mi 7.3
AMIGOS POR VIDA-FRIENDS FOR LIFE CHARTER SCHOOL Houston 1.3 mi 8.3
FRIENDS FOR LIFE MIDDLE Houston 1.3 mi 8.2
SER-NINOS CHARTER HIGH Houston 1.3 mi
MANDARIN IMMERSION MAGNET SCHOOL Houston 1.4 mi 9.2
SER-NINOS CHARTER MIDDLE Houston 1.3 mi 4.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BROCK H S Brock, TX 8.4
CENTERVILLE JR-SR H S Centerville, TX 8.4
EAST EARLY COLLEGE H S Houston, TX 8.4
FRANKLIN H S Franklin, TX 8.4
GIDDINGS H S Giddings, TX 8.4
HARLINGEN COLLEGIATE H S Harlingen, TX 8.4

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 ranks #903 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Challenge Early College H S's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenge Early College H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Challenge Early College H S?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Challenge Early College H S has 85% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 94% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
1.7%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

HOUSTON ISD
District Enrollment
184,109
Schools in District
274
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,072
District Rank
#33 of 272

How we rate schools

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