Serving 841 students in grades 6-8, Challenger Middle School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 61% (which is higher than the California state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 69% (which is higher than the California state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 23:1 is higher than the California state level of 22:1.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Asian), which is higher than the California state average of 79% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 841 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 23:1
- Minority Enrollment: 85%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in CA
- Math Proficiency: 61% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 69% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 50% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Challenger Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Challenger Middle School's student population of 841 students has declined by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 36 teachers has declined by 10% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
Total Students
841 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
36 teachers
Students by Grade
School Rankings
Challenger Middle School ranks within the top 20% of all 9,602 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Challenger Middle School is 0.68, 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
#1186 out of 9602 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
33%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
69%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
29%
Student : Teacher Ratio
23:1
22:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
50%
12%
Hispanic
19%
55%
Black
2%
5%
White
15%
21%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
14%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Eligible for Free Lunch
32%
51%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
15%
8%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), CA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Challenger Middle School's ranking?
Challenger Middle School is ranked #1186 out of 9,602 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in California.
What schools are Challenger Middle School often compared to?
Challenger Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Wangenheim Middle School, Marshall Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
61% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% CA state average), while 69% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% CA state average).
How many students attend Challenger Middle School?
841 students attend Challenger Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
50% of Challenger Middle School students are Asian, 19% of students are Hispanic, 15% of students are White, 14% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Challenger Middle School?
Challenger Middle School has a student ration of 23:1, which is higher than the California state average of 22:1.
What grades does Challenger Middle School offer ?
Challenger Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8
What school district is Challenger Middle School part of?
Challenger Middle School is part of San Diego Unified School District.
In what neighborhood is Challenger Middle School located?
Challenger Middle School is located in the Mira Mesa neighborhood of San Diego, CA. There are 8 other public schools located in Mira Mesa.
School Reviews
5 9/17/2020
I am a student at Challenger Middle and I feel like the school has a strong stance although some teachers are very controlling and the emotional and mental state is not very needed, the support and comfort at the school is very welcoming and humble. I would recommend taking your child here if you are looking for a wonderful school!
1 9/10/2020
This school feels like torture and would rather attend wagenhiem Middle school.
5 5/19/2020
Most of the teachers and staff keep my child in line, but they are also very kind. They have a band, orchestra, Spanish, Filipino, etc. The school is great, and my student's test score is average.
1 2/28/2020
Staff is horrible, very condescending, and unwilling to sit down with parents and discuss concerns. Office staff asking parents to leave and telling parents they are not welcomed at their school. You are not allowed on campus even with ID and identifying yourself without an appointment. Principal is never available on site when you ask for her, you need to make an appointment otherwise you never get to talk to the principal. I get that they might be busy but when a parent asks specifically several times on different occasions to talk to the principal and she is never around, that is a problem. Vice principal brushes off concerns and takes off to her office, completely disconnected and no disregard for parents' concerns and frustrations. This office staff makes you feel so unwelcomed and make you feel like it is an inconvenience for them to talk to you. They have mentioned that their workload keeps them from dealing with parents' requests to talk to their children. Office denied relaying a message to my son, they refused to let me talk to my son.
1 2/28/2020
School has good testing scores, and overall the school is just ok. The staff in the office are not very nice though.
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