At a glance
Reported students
590
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
30.2
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
19.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
06–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Arizona middle enrollment
62nd percentile
Compared with 211 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
485
Challenger Middle School: 590 reported students.
State peer staffing position
64th percentile
19.5:1 reported; state peer median 18.2:1. 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
- 720
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34.4
- Student–teacher ratio
- 20.9:1
What the reported data says about Challenger Middle School
Challenger Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 06–08 in Tucson. It is one of 22 current school records connected to Sunnyside Unified District (4407). NCES reports 590 students for 2024–25.
Among 211 middle schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 498 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 62nd percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 19.5:1, close to the Arizona median of 18.2:1 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 Hispanic or Latino (86.1%) and American Indian or Alaska Native (5.4%). English learners represent 19.6% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 11.3%. 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 19.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 30.2 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 2 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
- 19.6%
- Students with disabilities
- 11.3%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.34
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- 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
- White3.6%
- Hispanic86.1%
- Black3.6%
- Asian0.3%
- American Indian / Alaska Native5.4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial1%
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 Sunnyside Unified District (4407)
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Apollo Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
480 reported students
Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School
Middle · Grades 05–08
435 reported students
Gallego Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet School
Middle · Grades 04–08
768 reported students
Craycroft Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
586 reported students
Los Amigos Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–06
613 reported students
Elvira Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–06
642 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo Middle School Middle · Sunnyside Unified District (4407) | 06–08 | 480 | 2.1 mi |
| Gallego Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet School Middle · Sunnyside Unified District (4407) | 04–08 | 768 | 3.3 mi |
| Pistor Middle School Middle · Tucson Unified District (4403) | 06–08 | 579 | 4 mi |
| Wakefield Middle School Middle · Tucson Unified District (4403) | 06–08 | 295 | 4.1 mi |
| Las Puertas Community School Middle · Charter · StrengthBuilding Partners (91992) | 06–10 | 40 | 4.6 mi |
| Utterback Middle School Middle · Tucson Unified District (4403) | 06–08 | 270 | 4.6 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Challenger Middle School
What grades does Challenger Middle School serve?
Challenger Middle School reports grades 06–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a middle school in Sunnyside Unified District (4407).
How many students attend Challenger Middle School?
Challenger Middle School reported 590 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 62nd percentile among 211 Arizona middle schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 720 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Challenger Middle School?
The calculated ratio is 19.5:1, based on 590 students and 30.2 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Arizona median for the same school level is 18.2:1. 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 Sunnyside Unified District (4407) attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
Which school district is Challenger Middle School in?
Challenger Middle School is part of Sunnyside Unified District (4407), based in Tucson, AZ, which operates 22 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 Apollo Middle School (2.1 mi), Gallego Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet School (3.3 mi), Pistor Middle School (4 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.