Challenger Middle

Summary:

Challenger Middle is a public middle school located in Lancaster, CA, serving grades 5-8 with a total enrollment of 573 students. It is part of the Wilsona Elementary School District, which is ranked 1518 out of 1568 districts in California and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. Challenger Middle has consistently ranked in the bottom 10-15% of California middle schools over the past several years, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Challenger Middle faces significant challenges, including high chronic absenteeism rates, which have risen from 12.1% in 2018-2019 to 39.4% in 2021-2022, much higher than the state average. The school's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is also significantly below state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, only 15.28% of Challenger Middle students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 47.04% statewide, and in Mathematics, the proficiency rate was just 6.74%, compared to 35.54% statewide. The school's performance is particularly concerning for certain student subgroups, such as African American and Hispanic students, who ranked in the bottom 5% of California middle schools in English Language Arts and Mathematics in 2021-2022.

When comparing Challenger Middle to nearby middle schools, the data reveals a stark contrast in academic performance. For instance, Fulton and Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering, located approximately 16 miles from Challenger Middle, ranked in the top 20% of California middle schools in 2023-2024 and had significantly higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Challenger Middle's consistently low performance, high chronic absenteeism rates, and significant achievement gaps for certain student subgroups indicate the need for a comprehensive, data-driven approach to school improvement to address the complex issues the school is facing.


Detail:

Public 5-8

 41725 North 170th St. East
       Lancaster, CA  93535-7124


(661) 264-1790

District: Wilsona Elementary

SchoolDigger Rank:
2673rd of 2,777 California Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $6,925 Help


Students who attend Challenger Middle usually attend:

High:    Littlerock High

Feeder schools for Challenger Middle:

Elementary:    Vista San Gabriel Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  24.2 Help
Number of students:  553

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
79.9%
White:
10.5%
African American:
7.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  96.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Challenger Middle ranks worse than 96.3% of middle schools in California. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 9.56. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (79.9%), White (10.5%), African American (7.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 96.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Challenger Middle is 24.2. (See more...)
Help
Compare Challenger Middle employs 22.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Challenger Middle is $6,925.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Challenger Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Challenger Middle 2673rd of 2777 California public middle schools. (See Challenger Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Homeless students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


Wilsona Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Wilsona Elementary 1518th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Challenger Middle

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 48.87 801st 1769 54.7%
2005 48.75 827th 1777 53.5%
2006 35.07 1144th 1804 36.6%
2007 33.30 1310th 1999 34.5%
2008 24.46 1578th 2005 21.3%
2009 21.81 1693rd 2063 17.9%
2010 18.02 1898th 2179 12.9%
2011 24.50 1783rd 2236 20.3%
2012 27.64 1715th 2259 24.1%
2013 32.74 1620th 2379 31.9%
2015 20.47 2007th 2477 19.0%
2016 24.41 1852nd 2497 25.8%
2017 22.43 1951st 2508 22.2%
2018 14.53 2191st 2480 11.7%
2019 14.97 2385th 2715 12.2%
2022 9.95 2638th 2740 3.7%
2023 10.54 2690th 2802 4.0%
2024 9.56 2673rd 2777 3.7%
See the entire list of California Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.08 946th 1364 30.6%
2019 34.68 885th 1442 38.6%
2022 25.52 1452nd 1540 5.7%
2023 29.78 1233rd 1529 19.4%
2024 27.84 1345th 1477 8.9%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 21.47 1412th 1538 8.2%
2024 18.88 1484th 1550 4.3%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.80 1914th 2230 14.2%
2019 20.75 1998th 2369 15.7%
2022 12.71 2334th 2458 5.0%
2023 12.55 2421st 2549 5.0%
2024 11.73 2452nd 2575 4.8%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 14.05 381st 394 3.3%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 11.76 2105th 2262 6.9%
2019 14.62 2123rd 2380 10.8%
2022 8.92 2459th 2509 2.0%
2023 11.63 2428th 2547 4.7%
2024 8.98 2489th 2546 2.2%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.93 1284th 1369 6.2%
2019 24.11 1248th 1491 16.3%
2022 21.91 1393rd 1531 9.0%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.49 1956th 2273 13.9%
2019 15.29 2151st 2407 10.6%
2022 12.14 2406th 2527 4.8%
2023 10.90 2452nd 2558 4.1%
2024 10.37 2455th 2547 3.6%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.44 492nd 600 18.0%
2019 11.34 636th 643 1.1%
2022 13.45 618th 637 3.0%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.47 1807th 2072 12.8%
2019 19.85 1895th 2213 14.4%
2022 11.93 2269th 2359 3.8%
2023 12.89 2266th 2391 5.2%
2024 11.48 2280th 2383 4.3%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Challenger Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 10.20 1390th 1496 7.1%
2019 13.22 1421st 1602 11.3%
2022 5.50 1507th 1555 3.1%
2023 2.59 1545th 1552 0.5%
See the entire list of Best California Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Challenger Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 







Data source: California Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Challenger Middle

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 311 39 10 89 18 n/a n/a 0 467
1989 305 56 14 106 1 n/a n/a 0 482
1990 342 71 14 127 16 n/a n/a 0 570
1991 382 60 15 155 8 n/a n/a 0 620
1992 387 68 27 165 14 n/a n/a 0 661
1993 402 88 14 203 9 n/a n/a 0 716
1994 381 99 10 210 7 n/a n/a 0 707
1995 353 106 8 206 1 n/a n/a 0 674
1996 353 106 8 206 1 n/a n/a 0 674
1997 306 103 7 207 8 n/a n/a 0 631
1998 312 85 12 220 4 n/a n/a 0 633
1999 308 82 20 200 5 n/a n/a 0 615
2000 301 105 12 220 10 n/a n/a 0 648
2001 302 126 12 231 14 n/a n/a 0 685
2002 231 162 9 310 17 n/a n/a 0 729
2003 231 162 9 310 17 n/a n/a 0 729
2004 199 130 8 338 13 n/a n/a 0 688
2005 195 112 5 379 12 n/a n/a 0 703
2006 177 93 11 381 9 n/a n/a 0 671
2007 160 61 8 402 9 n/a n/a 0 640
2008 131 65 5 414 6 n/a n/a 0 621
2009 106 92 7 398 8 0 0 0 611
2010 105 96 7 492 16 0 0 0 716
2011 122 96 3 428 14 0 2 0 665
2012 98 76 4 448 10 0 4 0 640
2013 103 91 2 391 12 0 11 0 610
2014 101 68 4 384 6 0 9 0 572
2015 104 54 2 401 4 0 13 0 578
2016 105 56 2 370 10 0 10 0 553
2017 106 58 2 384 5 0 16 0 571
2018 99 62 5 398 4 0 26 0 594
2019 79 53 3 378 2 0 21 0 536
2020 74 38 2 389 5 0 23 0 531
2021 60 35 1 421 5 0 21 0 543
2022 61 34 0 445 4 1 15 0 560
2023 60 40 0 457 6 0 10 0 573
2024 58 39 1 442 5 0 8 0 553

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Challenger Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 467 19.0 24.5 n/a
1989 482 19.3 24.9 n/a
1990 570 23.0 24.7 n/a
1991 620 26.9 23.0 n/a
1992 661 27.3 24.2 43.7
1993 716 25.3 28.3 45.7
1994 707 25.5 27.7 49.8
1995 674 39.0 17.3 57.7
1996 674 39.0 17.3 57.7
1997 631 22.5 28.0 53.2
1998 633 22.5 28.1 56.4
1999 615 27.0 22.8 57.1
2000 648 27.0 24.0 61.3
2001 685 29.0 23.6 63.8
2002 729 29.4 24.8 74.8
2003 729 29.4 24.8 74.8
2004 688 29.3 23.5 87.6
2005 703 29.0 24.2 82.9
2006 671 28.8 23.3 70
2007 640 29.3 21.8 99.5
2008 621 31.4 19.8 99.5
2009 611 23.0 22.6 0
2010 716 28.3 25.3 99.6
2011 665 n/a n/a 99.5
2012 640 22.3 28.5 n/a
2013 610 22.8 26.7 99.5
2014 572 20.5 27.9 52.6
2015 578 20.0 28.9 97.6
2016 553 20.0 27.6 94.6
2017 571 22.8 25.0 93.9
2018 594 24.0 24.7 90.9
2019 536 21.8 24.5 95.1
2020 531 n/a n/a 94.7
2021 543 22.0 24.6 95.8
2022 560 21.0 26.6 97
2023 573 21.9 26.0 97.7
2024 553 22.7 24.2 96.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Challenger Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 467 19.0 24.5 n/a
1989 482 19.3 24.9 n/a
1990 570 23.0 24.7 n/a
1991 620 26.9 23.0 n/a
1992 661 27.3 24.2 43.7
1993 716 25.3 28.3 45.7
1994 707 25.5 27.7 49.8
1995 674 39.0 17.3 57.7
1996 674 39.0 17.3 57.7
1997 631 22.5 28.0 53.2
1998 633 22.5 28.1 56.4
1999 615 27.0 22.8 57.1
2000 648 27.0 24.0 61.3
2001 685 29.0 23.6 63.8
2002 729 29.4 24.8 74.8
2003 729 29.4 24.8 74.8
2004 688 29.3 23.5 87.6
2005 703 29.0 24.2 82.9
2006 671 28.8 23.3 70
2007 640 29.3 21.8 99.5
2008 621 31.4 19.8 99.5
2009 611 23.0 22.6 0
2010 716 28.3 25.3 99.6
2011 665 n/a n/a 99.5
2012 640 22.3 28.5 n/a
2013 610 22.8 26.7 99.5
2014 572 20.5 27.9 52.6
2015 578 20.0 28.9 97.6
2016 553 20.0 27.6 94.6
2017 571 22.8 25.0 93.9
2018 594 24.0 24.7 90.9
2019 536 21.8 24.5 95.1
2020 531 n/a n/a 94.7
2021 543 22.0 24.6 95.8
2022 560 21.0 26.6 97
2023 573 21.9 26.0 97.7
2024 553 22.7 24.2 96.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Challenger Middle

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $6,925

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Challenger Middle

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 2385th of 2715 Middle schoolsRanks 2690th of 2802 Middle schools
 8.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Challenger Middle)26.814
 12.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Wilsona Elementary)26.814
 12.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.746.7
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Challenger Middle)7.95.9
 2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Wilsona Elementary)7.95.9
 2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (California)3833.4
 4.6%
5th Grade Science (Challenger Middle)10.212.3
 2.1%
   5th Grade Science (Wilsona Elementary)10.212.3
 2.1%
   5th Grade Science (California)31.731.9
 0.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Challenger Middle)22.314
 8.3%
   6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Wilsona Elementary)22.914
 8.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.544.2
 4.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Challenger Middle)15.83
 12.9%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Wilsona Elementary)15.73
 12.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (California)38.533.2
 5.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Challenger Middle)25.918.3
 7.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Wilsona Elementary)24.818.3
 6.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.447.4
 3.9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Challenger Middle)11.68.5
 3.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Wilsona Elementary)11.28.5
 2.7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (California)37.933.2
 4.7%
8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Challenger Middle)32.218.9
 13.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Wilsona Elementary)3218.9
 13.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.445.7
 3.8%
8th Grade Mathematics (Challenger Middle)15.74
 11.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Wilsona Elementary)14.84
 10.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (California)36.629.9
 6.7%
8th Grade Science (Challenger Middle)9.27.1
 2.1%
   8th Grade Science (Wilsona Elementary)8.77.1
 1.6%
   8th Grade Science (California)30.828.8
 2.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students536573
 6.9%
African American5340
 24.5%
American Indian26
 200%
Asian30
 100%
Hispanic378457
 20.9%
Pacific Islander00
White7960
 24.1%
Two or More Races2110
 52.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients95.1%97.7%
 2.6%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Challenger Middle

In the 2023-24 school year, 553 students attended Challenger Middle.

Students at Challenger Middle are 80% Hispanic, 10% White, 7% African American, 1% Two or more races.

Students who attend Challenger Middle usually go on to attend Littlerock High

Challenger Middle ranks in the bottom 3.7% of California middle schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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