Needs Improvement
#2222 of 2,228 schools in WA
Challenger High School
High School · Bethel School District
18117 A Street S, Spanaway, WA 98387
Enrollment
366
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
2.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
366
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
2.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Washington schools
#2,222 of 2,228
In Spanaway
#15 of 15
public schools
In district
#33 of 33
Bethel School District
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Challenger High School
High School in Spanaway · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Camas Prairie Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bethel Hope Early Learning Center
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Challenger High School
Challenger High School is a public high school in Spanaway, WA, part of Bethel School District. Challenger High School serves approximately 366 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenger High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,222 of 2,228 schools in WA.
Structured state assessment records for Challenger High School show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 2.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.7
- WA avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
85% of students at Challenger High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Challenger High School — Students at Challenger High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 33 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.
How Challenger High School Compares
See how Challenger High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
18117 A Street S, Spanaway, WA 98387
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challenger High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gates Secondary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spanaway Lake High School (rated 3.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Acceleration Academy (rated 3.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Spanaway, see our Spanaway schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Camas Prairie Elementary Spanaway | 0.3 mi | 8.9 |
| BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway | 0.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Spanaway Elementary Spanaway | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Acceleration Academy Spanaway | 1.2 mi | 3.2 |
| Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Thompson Preschool Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Spanaway Middle School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| IMAGINATION SCHOOL Tacoma | 2.2 mi | — |
| ST MARY'S ACADEMY Tacoma | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School Tacoma | 2.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 3.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Brookdale Elementary Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Gates Secondary School Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 8.6 |
| CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Elk Plain School of Choice Spanaway | 2.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Clover Creek Elementary Tacoma | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 98387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,141
Median Home Value
$424,100
Median Rent
$1,837/mo
Population
49,940
College Educated
17.4%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
37.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
34.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Edmonds eLearning Academy Lynnwood, WA | 2.7 |
| Legacy High School Kennewick, WA | 3.0 |
| Acceleration Academy Spanaway, WA | 3.2 |
| Hoquiam High School Hoquiam, WA | 3.3 |
| Winlock Senior High Winlock, WA | 3.3 |
| Digital Learning Center Moses Lake, WA | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Challenger High School
What grades does Challenger High School serve?
Challenger High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Challenger High School?
Challenger High School has an enrollment of approximately 366 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger High School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Challenger High School rank in WA?
Challenger High School ranks #2,222 of 2,228 schools in WA.
What is Challenger High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 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 Challenger High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Challenger High School has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Challenger High School a charter school?
No, Challenger High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Challenger High School a Title I school?
No, Challenger High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challenger High School?
61.2% of students at Challenger High School 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 366
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.2%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pierce County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 85.0%
- Phone
- (253) 800-6800
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #33 of 33
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