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Challenge Elementary

Public Grades K-6

1^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,160 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 100% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

Challenge Elementary is a top-ranked K-6 public school serving 414 students in the Edmonds School District in Mountlake Terrace, WA, consistently recognized as the #1 elementary school in the state.

The school's academic performance is extraordinary, with over 96% of students proficient in both English and Math, which is roughly 40 to 45 points higher than district and state averages. This excellence is remarkably consistent across all grade levels. Interestingly, Challenge Elementary achieves these results while spending significantly less per student than other schools in the area, operating with a unique model that includes a much higher student-to-teacher ratio.

When compared to nearby schools in the same district, the difference is striking. For example, College Place Elementary and Cedar Way Elementary have proficiency rates more than 60 points lower in some subjects, despite higher per-student spending. Even high-performing schools in the neighboring Shoreline School District, like Cascade K-8 Community School, do not reach Challenge's near-perfect scores. This creates a significant performance gap within the local educational landscape, making Challenge a unique and highly successful case study.

414

Students ?

68.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$5,476

Per pupil spending ?

12.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5409 228th St SW
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043-5251

(425) 431-7157

District: Edmonds School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

40.6%

Asian:

35.3%

Two or more races:

12.3%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 100th percentile in 2008 → 100th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Washington average (97% vs 48% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Washington elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Edmonds School District

Worth a look

!Large classes — about 69 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school97%

District avg52%

Washington avg48%

1^st of 1,160

Washington public elementary schools ?

Top 1%▬ steady since 2021

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 23Elementary Schools in the Edmonds School District

74^th of 247Edmonds School District among Washington districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	99.5	1 of 1160	99.9%	★★★★★
2024	99.5	1 of 1168	99.9%	★★★★★
2022	99.4	1 of 1169	99.9%	★★★★★
2021	99.6	1 of 1107	99.9%	★★★★★
2013	97.8	1 of 1106	99.9%	★★★★★
2012	97.8	2 of 1097	99.8%	★★★★★
2011	98.4	1 of 1092	99.9%	★★★★★
2010	98.9	1 of 1088	99.9%	★★★★★
2009	98.3	1 of 1072	99.9%	★★★★★
2008	98.4	1 of 1067	99.9%	★★★★★
2007	98.4	1 of 1069	99.9%	★★★★★
2006	98.0	1 of 1051	99.9%	★★★★★
2005	97.9	2 of 1031	99.8%	★★★★★
2004	98.4	1 of 1026	99.9%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2021	96.6	1 of 131	99.2%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2024	99.2	1 of 1009	99.9%	★★★★★
2018	95.9	3 of 833	99.6%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2024)100th percentile~ school

Asian (2021)99th percentile~ school

By subject vs Washington (2024-2025) ?

Math97%+55 vs state

English Language Arts96%+43 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★0

4★0

3★2

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, August 18, 2014

Teachers and principal here are generally well meaning but this program is basically the same curriculum as traditional elementary programs in the district but a year ahead with higher expectations and a few adjustments in terms of projects and assignments. There are programs in states on the east coast that use Renzulli or other bona fied hi-cap/gifted approaches, so it can be done. However, for whatever reasons, the Edmonds School District chooses not to put resources towards a true gifted program with authentic, systemitized gifted instruction. Close Quote

by a citizen
Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Challenge Elementary is a gifted school and the students passed a test to ensure their capabilities to be allowed to attend this school. Therefore, their scores should be high. Close Quote

Schools Near Challenge Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				WCAS Science (2025)			SBAC English Language Arts (2025)							SBAC Math (2025)							% Completely Immunized (2024)	% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Diphtheria (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% Pertussis (2024)	% Tetanus (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	WCAS Science 5th Grade	WCAS Science 8th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 4th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 5th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 6th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 7th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 8th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 3rd Grade	SBAC Math 4th Grade	SBAC Math 5th Grade	SBAC Math 6th Grade	SBAC Math 7th Grade	SBAC Math 8th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Measles KG	% Mumps KG	% Rubella KG	% Diphtheria KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% Pertussis KG	% Tetanus KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Challenge Elementary	Public	K-6	5409 228th St SW	Mountlake Terrace	98043	Snohomish County	Edmonds School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 431-7157	414	0	68.9	12.3%	168 (40.6%)	14 (3.4%)	29 (7.0%)	146 (35.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (12.3%)	99.5	1^st of 1160 public elementary schools	99.9%		99.5	1^st of 1168 public elementary schools	99.9%					93.2	95.6		97.8			96.5		97.8		96.6			97.4											$5,476	$238	$5,238
Terrace Park Elementary	Public	K-6	5409 228th St SW	Mountlake Terrace	98043	Snohomish County	Edmonds School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 431-7482	295	37	7.9	30.8%	144 (48.8%)	16 (5.4%)	53 (18.0%)	46 (15.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	32 (10.8%)	71.6	297^th of 1160 public elementary schools	74.4%		65.2	381^st of 1168 public elementary schools	67.4%	84	54.8		54.8	55.1	58.6	66.7	60.5			60.1	53.1	75.9	50.0	65.8			59.5	94.6	96.4	96.4	96.4	96.4	96.4	98.2	94.6	96.4	96.4	$31,011	$343	$30,669
Mountlake Terrace Elementary	Public	K-6	22001 52nd Ave West	Mountlake Terrace	98043	Snohomish County	Edmonds School District	No	No	No	Yes	(425) 431-7894	426	31	13.5	55.4%	145 (34.0%)	34 (8.0%)	144 (33.8%)	49 (11.5%)	1 (0.2%)	8 (1.9%)	45 (10.6%)	45.6	606^th of 1160 public elementary schools	47.8%		26	880^th of 1168 public elementary schools	24.7%	274	47.3		47.3	52.8	49.0	57.9	46.0			51.7	43.4	41.2	33.3	43.1			40.1	98.3	98.3	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	98.3	100.0	100.0	$21,842	$814	$21,029
Cedar Way Elementary	Public	K-6	22222 39th Ave W	Mountlake Terrace	98043	Snohomish County	Edmonds School District	No	No	No	Yes	(425) 431-7864	522	37	14.0	60.5%	245 (46.9%)	77 (14.8%)	108 (20.7%)	48 (9.2%)	3 (0.6%)	4 (0.8%)	37 (7.1%)	26.8	868^th of 1160 public elementary schools	25.2%		27.8	855^th of 1168 public elementary schools	26.8%	13	33.8		33.8	40.0	36.1	37.7	36.4			37.5	43.1	33.3	21.3	42.9			35.0	82.8	90.8	90.8	90.8	90.8	92.0	92.0	85.1	92.0	92.0	$19,929	$684	$19,245
Brier Elementary	Public	K-6	3625 232nd St SW	Brier	98036	Snohomish County	Edmonds School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 431-7854	389	23	17.0	22.4%	253 (65.0%)	17 (4.4%)	39 (10.0%)	42 (10.8%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	36 (9.3%)	86.8	145^th of 1160 public elementary schools	87.5%		84.3	169^th of 1168 public elementary schools	85.5%	24	70.4		70.4	70.2	74.4	72.7	75.0			73.0	64.9	72.1	58.2	68.3			65.6	90.7	90.7	95.4	95.4	95.4	95.4	93.0	93.0	93.0	95.4	$20,813	$239	$20,574
Home Education Exchange	Public	K-8	2800 NE 200th	Shoreline	98155	King County	Shoreline School District	No	No	No	No	(206) 418-3388	125	0		17.6%	87 (69.6%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.8%)	17 (13.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (12.0%)	74.1	273^rd of 1160 public elementary schools	76.5%		83.1	189^th of 1168 public elementary schools	83.8%	84	81.8		84.2	75.0	55.6	90.9				80.0	50.0	44.4	60.0		50.0		62.3	80.0	80.0	93.3	93.3	93.3	86.7	86.7	80.0	86.7	86.7	$12,961	$340	$12,621
Cascade K-8 Community School	Public	K-8	2800 NE 200th	Shoreline	98155	King County	Shoreline School District	No	No	No	No	(206) 393-4180	197	13	15.2	17.3%	127 (64.5%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (13.7%)	9 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (17.3%)	90.8	102^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	91.2%		92.7	76^th of 1168 public elementary schools	93.5%	26	86.2	82.4	84.8	57.1	77.3		77.8	64.3	76.5	76.2	76.2	77.3	82.8	63.0	57.1	70.6	72.3	94.7	94.7	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	94.7	94.7	100.0	100.0	$23,688	$400	$23,289
Chase Lake Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	21603 84th Ave W	Edmonds	98020	Snohomish County	Edmonds School District	No	No	No	Yes	(425) 431-7495	413	27	15.4	57.1%	138 (33.4%)	46 (11.1%)	146 (35.4%)	39 (9.4%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.5%)	36 (8.7%)	25.8	890^th of 1160 public elementary schools	23.3%		41.1	663^rd of 1168 public elementary schools	43.2%	227	40.0		40.0	51.2	34.1	43.5	23.7			38.6	44.2	31.8	26.1	23.7			31.6	82.1	89.7	89.7	89.7	89.7	89.7	94.9	82.1	89.7	89.7	$24,542	$994	$23,547
College Place Elementary	Public	K-6	20401 76th Ave W	Lynnwood	98036	Snohomish County	Edmonds School District	No	No	No	Yes	(425) 431-7620	473	33	14.2	75.3%	90 (19.0%)	48 (10.1%)	274 (57.9%)	24 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.0%)	18 (3.8%)	14.2	1037^th of 1160 public elementary schools	10.6%		16.5	1022^nd of 1168 public elementary schools	12.5%	15	35.1		35.1	28.8	26.5	34.5	37.3			31.7	19.7	23.5	19.6	22.4			21.4	82.8	87.9	96.6	96.6	96.6	89.7	89.7	87.9	89.7	89.7	$19,934	$1,046	$18,888
Hazelwood Elementary	Public	K-6	3300 204th St SW	Lynnwood	98036	Snohomish County	Edmonds School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 431-7884	419	29	14.3	49.2%	173 (41.3%)	43 (10.3%)	108 (25.8%)	64 (15.3%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (6.2%)	43.1	641^st of 1160 public elementary schools	44.7%		39.1	691^st of 1168 public elementary schools	40.8%	50	44.1		44.1	36.2	46.4	50.9	55.4			47.1	39.7	46.4	40.7	42.9			42.6	93.9	93.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	95.9	$23,137	$446	$22,691

Frequently Asked Questions about Challenge Elementary

What district is Challenge Elementary in?

Edmonds School District

Is Challenge Elementary a good school?

Yes! Challenge Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 1^st of 1160 Washington elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Challenge Elementary?

Students at Challenge Elementary are 41% White, 35% Asian, 12% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic, 3% African American, 1% Not Specified.

How many students attend Challenge Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 414 students attended Challenge Elementary.

Rate Challenge Elementary!

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Schools in Mountlake Terrace, WA

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

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.