Below Average
#6847 of 8,547 schools in TX
Rice Challenge Academy
High School · RICE CISD
P O BOX 338, Altair, TX 77412
Enrollment
107
Student-Teacher
26.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
107
Student-Teacher
26.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Altair
#7 of 7
public schools
Texas high schools
#1,541 of 1,699
In district
#7 of 7
RICE CISD
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Rice Challenge Academy
Rice Challenge Academy is an alternative high school located in Altair, Texas, a rural community. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade with an enrollment of 107 students and a student-teacher ratio of 26.8:1. With only four full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Rice Challenge Academy focuses on providing individualized attention for its students.
Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks at number 6978 out of 8598 schools in Texas, placing it in the 19th percentile statewide. The academic performance scores are relatively low, with only 16% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 8% proficiency or above in Math. Despite these challenges, Rice Challenge Academy remains committed to supporting its students through personalized learning opportunities tailored for alternative education settings.
Located in a rural area, the school is surrounded by a close-knit community that values educational growth and development.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 107 students, Rice Challenge Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Rice Challenge Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Rice Challenge Academy is 26.8:1, 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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Rice Challenge Academy — Students at Rice Challenge Academy score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
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: 8.4/10.
How Rice Challenge Academy Compares
See how Rice Challenge Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 10% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 338, Altair, TX 77412
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rice Challenge Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WHARTON H S (rated 8.2/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Wharton), which scores notably higher. Another option is SEALY H S (rated 7.3/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Sealy), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EAST BERNARD H S (rated 7.2/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby East Bernard), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Altair, see our Altair schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EAGLE LAKE PRI Altair | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| EAGLE LAKE INT Altair | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| GARWOOD EL Altair | 10.0 mi | 5.6 |
| RICE H S Altair | 11.2 mi | 5.2 |
| RICE JH Altair | 11.2 mi | 7.0 |
| SEALY H S Sealy | 15.7 mi | 7.3 |
| SELMAN EL Sealy | 16.0 mi | 5.9 |
| ST ANTHONY SCHOOL Columbus | 15.9 mi | 5.6 |
| COLUMBUS EL Columbus | 15.9 mi | 5.8 |
| SEALY J H Sealy | 16.8 mi | 6.9 |
| COLUMBUS CROSSING H S Columbus | 16.0 mi | — |
| EAST BERNARD EL East Bernard | 15.7 mi | 8.1 |
| EAST BERNARD H S East Bernard | 15.7 mi | 7.2 |
| EAST BERNARD J H East Bernard | 15.7 mi | 7.4 |
| COLUMBUS J H Columbus | 16.6 mi | 6.3 |
| SEALY EL Sealy | 17.7 mi | 8.6 |
| COLUMBUS H S Columbus | 16.9 mi | 5.1 |
| BRAZOS H S Wallis | 17.5 mi | 6.5 |
| BRAZOS MIDDLE Wallis | 17.5 mi | 8.7 |
| WHARTON H S Wharton | 22.2 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77412 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Population
10
College Educated
50%
Homeownership
100%
Poverty Rate
0%
Community Profile
It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The local poverty rate of 0.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CASSATA HIGH SCHOOL Fort Worth, TX | 4.9 |
| ISCHOOL HIGH - ATASCOCITA Lewisville, TX | 4.9 |
| PREMIER H S - CORPUS CHRISTI Lewisville, TX | 4.9 |
| RICHEY ACADEMY Houston, TX | 4.9 |
| TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - GARLAND Garland, TX | 4.9 |
| TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MCALLEN Mcallen, TX | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rice Challenge Academy
What grades does Rice Challenge Academy serve?
Rice Challenge Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Rice Challenge Academy?
Rice Challenge Academy has an enrollment of approximately 107 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rice Challenge Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Rice Challenge Academy is 26.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rice Challenge Academy rank in TX?
Rice Challenge Academy is ranked #6847 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Rice Challenge Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Rice Challenge Academy has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Rice Challenge Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rice Challenge Academy has 7.5% math proficiency and 16.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rice Challenge Academy a charter school?
No, Rice Challenge Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rice Challenge Academy a Title I school?
No, Rice Challenge Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rice Challenge Academy?
97.2% of students at Rice Challenge Academy 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (781/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 107
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.2%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Colorado County
- Phone
- (979) 234-3531
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RICE CISD- District Enrollment
- 1,315
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,757
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
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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