At a glance
Reported students
491
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
28
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
17.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Alabama elementary enrollment
55th percentile
Compared with 696 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
463
Challenger Elementary School: 491 reported students.
State peer staffing position
63rd percentile
17.5:1 reported; state peer median 16.9:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 469
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Student–teacher ratio
- 13.8:1
What the reported data says about Challenger Elementary School
Challenger Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Huntsville. It is one of 45 current school records connected to Huntsville City. NCES reports 491 students for 2024–25.
Among 696 elementary schools in Alabama with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 471 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 55th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 17.5:1, close to the Alabama median of 16.9:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (49.1%) and Black (22.6%). English learners represent 7.2% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 17.7%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Challenger Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 17.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 28 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 7.2%
- Students with disabilities
- 17.7%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 31.8%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White49.1%
- Hispanic18.9%
- Black22.6%
- Asian2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial7.3%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Huntsville City
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Williams Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
484 reported students
Rolling Hills Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
483 reported students
Weatherly Heights Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
472 reported students
Jones Valley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
471 reported students
McDonnell Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
511 reported students
Ridgecrest Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
463 reported students
Public schools near Challenger Elementary School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Gap Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–05 | 341 | 1 mi |
| Farley Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–05 | 334 | 1.3 mi |
| Weatherly Heights Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–05 | 472 | 2.2 mi |
| GoldsmithSchiffman Elementary Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–05 | 935 | 3.4 mi |
| Roger B Chaffee Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–05 | 396 | 3.4 mi |
| Whitesburg Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–05 | 379 | 4.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Challenger Elementary School
What grades does Challenger Elementary School serve?
Challenger Elementary School reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Huntsville City.
How many students attend Challenger Elementary School?
Challenger Elementary School reported 491 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 55th percentile among 696 Alabama elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 469 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary School?
The calculated ratio is 17.5:1, based on 491 students and 28 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Alabama median for the same school level is 16.9:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Challenger Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Challenger Elementary School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Huntsville City attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Challenger Elementary School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
31.8% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Challenger Elementary School in?
Challenger Elementary School is part of Huntsville City, based in Huntsville, AL, which operates 45 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Challenger Elementary School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Mountain Gap Elementary School (1 mi), Farley Elementary School (1.3 mi), Weatherly Heights Elementary School (2.2 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.