At a glance
Reported students
1,456
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
90
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
16.2:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Florida elementary enrollment
98th percentile
Compared with 2,220 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
768.5
Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math: 1,456 reported students.
State peer staffing position
58th percentile
16.2:1 reported; state peer median 15.8:1. 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
- 1,470
- Teachers (FTE)
- 95.5
- Student–teacher ratio
- 15.4:1
What the reported data says about Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math
Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math is a public elementary school serving grades KG–08 in Spring Hill. It is one of 32 current school records connected to Hernando. NCES reports 1,456 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,220 elementary schools in Florida with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 579 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 98th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 16.2:1, close to the Florida median of 15.8:1 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 (64.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (22.9%). English learners represent 0.9% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 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 K-8 School of Science and Math
- 1How do the reported 16.2:1 student–teacher ratio and 90 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 3 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
- 0.9%
- Students with disabilities
- 8%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 28.4%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 3
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White64.6%
- Hispanic22.9%
- Black3.2%
- Asian2.8%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial6.2%
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 Hernando
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Explorer K-8
Elementary · Grades PK–08
1,544 reported students
Winding Waters K-8
Elementary · Grades PK–08
1,613 reported students
Suncoast Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
967 reported students
Pine Grove Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
943 reported students
John D. Floyd Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
920 reported students
Deltona Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
854 reported students
Public schools near Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| John D. Floyd Elementary School Elementary · Hernando | PK–05 | 920 | 1.2 mi |
| Spring Hill Elementary School Elementary · Hernando | PK–05 | 829 | 1.7 mi |
| Chocachatti Elementary School Elementary · Hernando | PK–05 | 783 | 2.4 mi |
| Gulf Coast Elementary School Elementary · Charter · Hernando | KG–05 | 106 | 2.7 mi |
| Explorer K-8 Elementary · Hernando | PK–08 | 1,544 | 3.1 mi |
| Suncoast Elementary School Elementary · Hernando | PK–05 | 967 | 4.6 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math
What grades does Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math serve?
Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math reports grades KG–08 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Hernando.
How many students attend Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math?
Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math reported 1,456 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 98th percentile among 2,220 Florida elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 1,470 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math?
The calculated ratio is 16.2:1, based on 1,456 students and 90 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Florida median for the same school level is 15.8:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math a public, charter, or magnet school?
Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math is a public school and is not a charter school; it is also identified as a magnet school. Admission can involve an application or lottery, so check enrollment windows with the school.
What share of Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
28.4% 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 K-8 School of Science and Math in?
Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math is part of Hernando, based in Brooksville, FL, which operates 32 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include John D. Floyd Elementary School (1.2 mi), Spring Hill Elementary School (1.7 mi), Chocachatti Elementary School (2.4 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.