At a glance
Reported students
425
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
23
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–09
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Alabama middle enrollment
44th percentile
Compared with 262 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
463
Challenger Middle School: 425 reported students.
State peer staffing position
60th percentile
18.5:1 reported; state peer median 18:1. 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
- 466
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Student–teacher ratio
- 18.6:1
What the reported data says about Challenger Middle School
Challenger Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–09 in Huntsville. It is one of 45 current school records connected to Huntsville City. NCES reports 425 students for 2024–25.
Among 262 middle schools in Alabama with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 449.5 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 44th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.5:1, close to the Alabama median of 18:1 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 (51.5%) and Black (22.8%). English learners represent 2.8% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 14.8%. 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 Middle School
- 1How do the reported 18.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 23 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
- 2.8%
- Students with disabilities
- 14.8%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 35.3%
- 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
- White51.5%
- Hispanic15.5%
- Black22.8%
- Asian3.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial6.8%
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.
Morris Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
397 reported students
Ronald McNair 78
Middle · Grades 07–08
390 reported students
Mountain Gap Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
366 reported students
Huntsville Junior High School
Middle · Grades 07–08
530 reported students
Chapman Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
315 reported students
Whitesburg Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
535 reported students
Public schools near Challenger Middle 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 Middle School Middle · Huntsville City | 06–08 | 366 | 1 mi |
| Whitesburg Middle School Middle · Huntsville City | 06–08 | 535 | 4.4 mi |
| Hampton Cove Middle School Middle · Huntsville City | 06–08 | 785 | 5.3 mi |
| Huntsville Junior High School Middle · Huntsville City | 07–08 | 530 | 7.9 mi |
| Morris Middle School Middle · Huntsville City | 06–08 | 397 | 8.5 mi |
| Chapman Middle School Middle · Huntsville City | 06–08 | 315 | 9.7 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Challenger Middle School
What grades does Challenger Middle School serve?
Challenger Middle School reports grades 06–09 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Huntsville City.
How many students attend Challenger Middle School?
Challenger Middle School reported 425 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 44th percentile among 262 Alabama middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 466 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 18.5:1, based on 425 students and 23 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Alabama median for the same school level is 18:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Challenger Middle School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Challenger Middle 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 Middle School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
35.3% 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 Middle School in?
Challenger Middle 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 Middle School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Mountain Gap Middle School (1 mi), Whitesburg Middle School (4.4 mi), Hampton Cove Middle School (5.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.