Challenger Elementary School ranked #315 in Alabama in 2023, declining from a peak rank of #64 in 2015 but improving from #458 in 2019, reflecting fluctuations in state ranking over recent years among Union County NJ high schools.
Math proficiency was 35% in 2023, higher than the state average of 30%, though this marks a decline from 50% proficiency in 2019; reading proficiency rose to 61%, higher than the state average of 47%, with science proficiency at 70–74%, also higher than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment remained stable near 499 students with a student–teacher ratio of 18:1; minority enrollment was 49%, indicating a diverse student body consistent with the school's ranking among the top 10% most diverse schools in Alabama.
The school served grades PreK through 5 and was Title I eligible, with 208 students qualifying for free lunch, reflecting socioeconomic diversity within this Berkeley Heights public high school.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 491 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 51%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30% in AL
- Math Proficiency: 35% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 61% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 70-74% (Top 5%)
- Attendance Zone: Challenger Elementary School serves the southeast area of Huntsville, AL, covering approximately 6.5 square miles. Families in this zone typically have a 5-10 minute drive to the school, with the furthest edge being about 5.1 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Challenger Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Challenger Elementary School's student population of 491 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 28 teachers has declined by 17% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
491 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
2025
School Calendar
School Rankings
Challenger Elementary School ranks within the top 30% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Challenger Elementary School is 0.67, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#315 out of 1275 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
30%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-74%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
17:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
2%
2%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
19%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Black
23%
31%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
White
49%
50%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
7%
4%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)16.5%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
32%
53%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
Showing 2013–2024. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Challenger Elementary School's ranking?
Challenger Elementary School is ranked #315 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Alabama.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
35% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 61% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Challenger Elementary School?
491 students attend Challenger Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
49% of Challenger Elementary School students are White, 23% of students are Black, 19% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Challenger Elementary School?
Challenger Elementary School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Challenger Elementary School offer ?
Challenger Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Challenger Elementary School part of?
Challenger Elementary School is part of Huntsville City School District.
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