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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.5Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,682

Rice Challenge Academy — Students at Rice Challenge Academy score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 16.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.9/10
20th percentile in TX
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
1.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RICE CISD
District Enrollment
1,315
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,757
District Rank
#7 of 7

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

Related reading

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