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Very Good

#501 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 23% in state

Challenge Elementary

Elementary School · Edmonds School District

5409 228TH ST SW, Mtlk Terrace, WA 98043

Enrollment

413

Student-Teacher

82.6:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mtlk Terrace

#2 of 4

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#430 of 1,202

In district

#6 of 36

Edmonds School District

Academic performance

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Challenge Elementary

Challenge Elementary serves 413 students in grades kindergarten through sixth in Mtlk Terrace, Washington. This alternative elementary school stands out with exceptional academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #247 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile. The school achieves remarkable results with 96% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels.

With 5 full-time equivalent teachers, Challenge Elementary operates with a student-teacher ratio of 82.6:1, which is notably higher than typical elementary schools. Despite this ratio, the school maintains its strong academic outcomes, suggesting effective teaching strategies and student support systems. The school serves a community where families value education, reflected in the surrounding neighborhood's characteristics.

The median household income of $96,085 and relatively low poverty rate of 7.3% indicate a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class community. With 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values of $560,400, the area demonstrates strong educational investment. Challenge Elementary is situated in Snohomish County's large suburban setting, providing students with both community stability and access to broader metropolitan resources.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Challenge Elementary is 82.6:1, 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics10.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency95%
Reading/ELA Proficiency96.5%
Math vs. State Avg+43.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+48.1 pts
Overall Proficiency96%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+27.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile100th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.6Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio82.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,670

Challenge Elementary — Students at Challenge Elementary score 96% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 95.3%
School
State
43.3%
ELA Proficiency 96.0%
School
State
48.8%

Based on 10 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
99.5%
ELA
97%
2022
ELA
96%
2024
Math
94.3%
ELA
95.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.

How Challenge Elementary Compares

See how Challenge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in WA
Academic
10.0/10
10.0/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
1.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
83:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

5409 228TH ST SW, Mtlk Terrace, WA 98043

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Challenge Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Terrace Park Elementary (rated 9.2/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cascade K-8 Community School (rated 9.2/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Shoreline), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BRIGHTON SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Mountlake Terrace), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mtlk Terrace, see our Mtlk Terrace schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Terrace Park Elementary Mtlk Terrace 0.0 mi 9.2
Mountlake Terrace Elementary Mountlake Terrace 0.5 mi 5.2
BRIGHTON SCHOOL Mountlake Terrace 0.6 mi 8.1
Cedar Way Elementary Mtlk Terrace 0.9 mi 5.7
LAKE FOREST PARK MONTESSORI Shoreline 1.3 mi
Home Education Exchange Shoreline 1.3 mi 7.6
Cascade K-8 Community School Shoreline 1.3 mi 9.2
Mountlake Terrace High School Mtlk Terrace 1.1 mi 3.6
Brier Elementary Brier 1.2 mi 7.6
Contracted Schools Lynnwood 1.7 mi
Brier Terrace Middle School Brier 1.4 mi 6.8
Cedar Valley Community School Lynnwood 2.1 mi 5.8
Edmonds Career Access Program Lynnwood 1.9 mi 6.3
ST MARK CATHOLIC CLASSICAL SCHOOL Shoreline 2.2 mi 7.8
SOUNDVIEW SCHOOL Lynnwood 2.1 mi 7.6
Edmonds Woodway High School Edmonds 1.7 mi 5.1
Edmonds eLearning Academy Lynnwood 1.8 mi 2.5
College Place Middle School Lynnwood 1.8 mi 4.0
College Place Elementary Lynnwood 1.9 mi 5.3
SOLOMON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Edmonds 1.6 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,408

Median Home Value

$605,800

Median Rent

$1,966/mo

Population

21,417

College Educated

41.8%

Homeownership

56.1%

Avg Commute

31 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Challenge Elementary has a median household income of $101,408. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $605,800, with a median rent of $1,966/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Armin Jahr Elementary Bremerton, WA 7.6
Brier Elementary Brier, WA 7.6
Cedar Park Elementary School Seattle, WA 7.6
Cherry Crest Elementary School Bellevue, WA 7.6
Daniel Bagley Elementary School Seattle, WA 7.6
Deer Park Elementary Deer Park, WA 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Challenge Elementary

What grades does Challenge Elementary serve?

Challenge Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Challenge Elementary?

Challenge Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 413 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenge Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Challenge Elementary is 82.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Challenge Elementary rank in WA?

Challenge Elementary is ranked #501 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Challenge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Challenge Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenge Elementary has 95.3% math proficiency and 96.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Challenge Elementary a charter school?

No, Challenge Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Challenge Elementary a Title I school?

No, Challenge Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challenge Elementary?

11.9% of students at Challenge 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
County Safety
Average (443/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher Ratio
82.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.9%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Snohomish County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Edmonds School District
District Enrollment
20,755
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,710
District Rank
#6 of 36

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

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