Below Average
#2024 of 2,225 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
4.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
366
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spanaway
#13 of 14
public schools
Washington high schools
#413 of 476
In district
#28 of 33
Bethel School District
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Challenger High School
Challenger High School is an alternative school located in the Spanaway area of Pierce County, Washington. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, Challenger High offers a unique educational environment with an enrollment of 366 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1. The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with students to provide personalized support.
Challenger High School's academic performance is in the lower percentile compared to other schools in Washington, ranking at #1673 out of 2261 schools overall and scoring a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9/10. In terms of proficiency rates across grades for ELA/Reading, Math, and Science, only 41%, 15%, and 18% of students respectively are proficient or above. The school is focusing on student development beyond traditional academic metrics to provide a supportive learning environment.
Challenger High School is situated in a large suburban area, offering a community setting that encourages collaboration and inclusivity among its diverse population of learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Challenger High School 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.
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 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How Challenger High School Compares
See how Challenger High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 12.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 38.6% (2024).
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 8.1/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Tacoma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spanaway Lake High School (rated 5.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Acceleration Academy (rated 4.1/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 9.3 |
| BETHEL HOPE EARLY LEARNING CENTER Spanaway | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Spanaway Elementary Spanaway | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Acceleration Academy Spanaway | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Cedarcrest Middle School Spanaway | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Chester H Thompson Elementary Tacoma | 1.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Evergreen Elementary Spanaway | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Thompson Preschool Tacoma | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Spanaway Lake High School Spanaway | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Spanaway Middle School Tacoma | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 8.3 |
| Elmhurst Elementary School Tacoma | 3.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Brookdale Elementary Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Gates Secondary School Tacoma | 3.2 mi | 8.1 |
| CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS - FREDERICKSON ELEM. Tacoma | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Elk Plain School of Choice Spanaway | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Naches Trail Elementary Tacoma | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Challenger High School has a median household income of $101,141. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $424,100, with a median rent of $1,837/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Toutle Lake High School Toutle, WA | 4.2 |
| Napavine Jr Sr High School Napavine, WA | 4.3 |
| Riverside High School Chattaroy, WA | 4.3 |
| Acceleration Academy Spanaway, WA | 4.1 |
| Adna Middle/High School Adna, WA | 4.1 |
| Chimacum Junior/Senior High School Chimacum, WA | 4.0 |
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 is ranked #2024 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Challenger High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Challenger High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Challenger High School has 14.8% math proficiency and 41.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Elevated (763/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (253) 800-6800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bethel School District- District Enrollment
- 21,539
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,370
- District Rank
- #28 of 33
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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