At a glance
Reported students
413
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
24.5
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
16.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Michigan elementary enrollment
64th percentile
Compared with 1,618 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
542
Challenger Elementary: 413 reported students.
State peer staffing position
69th percentile
16.9:1 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
- 363
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Student–teacher ratio
- 16.5:1
What the reported data says about Challenger Elementary
Challenger Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades KG–05 in Grand Rapids. It is one of 17 current school records connected to Kentwood Public Schools. NCES reports 413 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,618 elementary schools in Michigan with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 366 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 64th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 16.9:1, close to the Michigan 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 Black (45%) and White (16.9%). English learners represent 22.6% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 18.2%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Challenger Elementary
- 1How do the reported 16.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 24.5 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 0.2 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
- 22.6%
- Students with disabilities
- 18.2%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 80.1%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0.2
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- 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
- White16.9%
- Hispanic14.5%
- Black45%
- Asian13.6%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial9.9%
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
Not reported as 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 Kentwood Public Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Brookwood Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
370 reported students
Bowen Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
357 reported students
Meadowlawn Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
339 reported students
Townline Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
320 reported students
Southwood Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
302 reported students
Glenwood Elementary
Elementary · Grades KG–05
543 reported students
Public schools near Challenger Elementary
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Elementary Elementary · Kentwood Public Schools | KG–05 | 674 | 1 mi |
| Brookwood Elementary Elementary · Kentwood Public Schools | PK–05 | 370 | 1.2 mi |
| Bowen Elementary Elementary · Kentwood Public Schools | PK–05 | 357 | 1.4 mi |
| Meadowlawn Elementary Elementary · Kentwood Public Schools | PK–05 | 339 | 1.7 mi |
| Sherwood Global Studies Academy Elementary · Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–06 | 121 | 1.8 mi |
| Explorer Elementary Elementary · Kentwood Public Schools | KG–05 | 556 | 1.9 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Challenger Elementary
What grades does Challenger Elementary serve?
Challenger Elementary reports grades KG–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Kentwood Public Schools.
How many students attend Challenger Elementary?
Challenger Elementary reported 413 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 64th percentile among 1,618 Michigan elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 363 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Challenger Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 16.9:1, based on 413 students and 24.5 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Michigan median for the same school level is 15.8:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Challenger Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Challenger Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Kentwood Public Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Challenger Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
80.1% 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 in?
Challenger Elementary is part of Kentwood Public Schools, based in Grand Rapids, MI, which operates 17 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Challenger Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Discovery Elementary (1 mi), Brookwood Elementary (1.2 mi), Bowen Elementary (1.4 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.