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Challenge School

Public, Magnet Grades PK, KG-8

5^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 950 Colorado Elementary Schools

Better than 99% of Colorado elementary schools

Summary

Challenge School is a public magnet elementary and middle school serving grades PK-8 in Denver, Colorado, and part of the Cherry Creek School District No. 5. The school has consistently been one of the top-performing elementary schools in Colorado, ranking within the top 10 schools for the past several years and receiving a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger in the 2024-2025 school year.

Challenge School significantly outperforms the Cherry Creek School District and the state of Colorado in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subject areas. In the 2024-2025 school year, 91.3% of students were proficient or better in CMAS English Language Arts, compared to 48.2% in the district and 44.8% statewide. In CMAS Math, 90.9% of Challenge School students were proficient or better, compared to 42.8% in the district and 35.9% statewide. The school's science proficiency rates are also exceptional, with 89.5% of 5th graders and 94.4% of 8th graders scoring proficient or better, compared to 44% and 43.9% in the district, and 39% and 36.4% statewide.

While Challenge School's academic performance is outstanding, the school has higher chronic absenteeism rates and dropout rates compared to the district and state averages. Additionally, the school's ranking for Gifted and Talented students is relatively lower, suggesting a need to focus more on meeting the needs of this specific subgroup. Nearby schools, such as Highline Community Elementary, Village East Community Elementary, and Ponderosa Elementary, have significantly lower academic performance compared to Challenge School, with proficiency rates well below the district and state averages.

560

Students ?

16.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,722

Per pupil spending ?

17.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

9659 East Mississippi Avenue
Denver, CO 80247-2401

(720) 747-2100

District: Cherry Creek School District No. 5

Racial breakdown:

White:

34.8%

Asian:

31.8%

African American:

13.9%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare Challenge School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 100th percentile in 2015 → 99th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Colorado average (91% vs 40% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Colorado elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Cherry Creek School District No. 5

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school91%

District avg45%

Colorado avg40%

Elementary school

5^th of 950

Colorado public elementary schools ?

Top 1%▬ steady since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

1^st of 469

Colorado public middle schools ?

Top 1%▬ steady since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 46Elementary Schools in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5

30^th of 115Cherry Creek School District No. 5 among Colorado districts

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

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	99.0	5 of 950	99.5%	★★★★★
2024	98.8	5 of 943	99.5%	★★★★★
2023	98.3	8 of 933	99.1%	★★★★★
2022	98.6	5 of 921	99.5%	★★★★★
2021	98.6	6 of 710	99.2%	★★★★★
2019	98.0	11 of 965	98.9%	★★★★★
2018	98.6	6 of 917	99.3%	★★★★★
2017	99.1	5 of 929	99.5%	★★★★★
2016	99.5	5 of 914	99.5%	★★★★★
2015	99.8	2 of 938	99.8%	★★★★★
2014	97.2	2 of 962	99.8%	★★★★★
2013	97.0	1 of 954	99.9%	★★★★★
2012	96.8	2 of 935	99.8%	★★★★★
2011	96.5	1 of 935	99.9%	★★★★★
2010	96.7	1 of 925	99.9%	★★★★★
2009	96.5	1 of 872	99.9%	★★★★★
2008	96.6	2 of 849	99.8%	★★★★★
2007	96.8	1 of 852	99.9%	★★★★★
2006	96.3	2 of 829	99.8%	★★★★★
2005	96.2	2 of 823	99.8%	★★★★★
2004	96.8	2 of 808	99.8%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	89.2	1 of 13	92.3%	★★★★★
2024	89.2	1 of 12	91.7%	★★★★★
2023	78.6	3 of 15	80.0%	★★★★☆
2022	75.8	3 of 10	70.0%	★★★★☆
2019	89.7	1 of 11	90.9%	★★★★★
2018	82.0	3 of 9	66.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	98.6	2 of 694	99.7%	★★★★★
2024	97.5	6 of 684	99.1%	★★★★★
2023	98.1	4 of 642	99.4%	★★★★★
2022	98.2	3 of 595	99.5%	★★★★★
2021	97.8	5 of 351	98.6%	★★★★★
2019	96.5	11 of 758	98.5%	★★★★★
2018	97.7	5 of 690	99.3%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	40.0	95 of 119	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	39.0	72 of 91	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	46.0	59 of 82	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	60.8	11 of 22	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.9	63 of 110	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	52.9	53 of 84	36.9%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	97.9	7 of 700	99.0%	★★★★★
2024	97.9	4 of 683	99.4%	★★★★★
2023	95.1	17 of 649	97.4%	★★★★★
2022	96.3	13 of 594	97.8%	★★★★★
2021	96.5	10 of 352	97.2%	★★★★★
2019	97.9	10 of 764	98.7%	★★★★★
2018	98.0	7 of 693	99.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	96.3	5 of 551	99.1%	★★★★★
2024	97.8	3 of 539	99.4%	★★★★★
2023	97.1	5 of 525	99.0%	★★★★★
2022	97.8	3 of 454	99.3%	★★★★★
2021	97.7	3 of 288	99.0%	★★★★★
2019	92.5	21 of 596	96.5%	★★★★★
2018	96.0	7 of 337	97.9%	★★★★★

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	99.5	1 of 469	99.8%	★★★★★
2024	99.4	1 of 485	99.8%	★★★★★
2023	99.1	3 of 480	99.4%	★★★★★
2022	99.4	2 of 448	99.6%	★★★★★
2021	99.8	2 of 369	99.5%	★★★★★
2019	99.3	3 of 458	99.3%	★★★★★
2018	99.3	3 of 418	99.3%	★★★★★
2017	99.6	3 of 424	99.3%	★★★★★
2016	99.8	1 of 400	99.8%	★★★★★
2015	99.8	1 of 436	99.8%	★★★★★
2014	98.1	1 of 461	99.8%	★★★★★
2013	97.8	1 of 454	99.8%	★★★★★
2012	97.4	1 of 425	99.8%	★★★★★
2011	97.2	2 of 422	99.5%	★★★★★
2010	97.3	3 of 409	99.3%	★★★★★
2009	97.6	1 of 377	99.7%	★★★★★
2008	97.8	1 of 362	99.7%	★★★★★
2007	97.7	1 of 360	99.7%	★★★★★
2006	97.8	1 of 346	99.7%	★★★★★
2005	97.9	1 of 340	99.7%	★★★★★
2004	98.0	1 of 336	99.7%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	99.8	1 of 29	96.6%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	88.6	2 of 26	92.3%	★★★★★
2019	92.8	1 of 25	96.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	99.0	1 of 347	99.7%	★★★★★
2024	98.6	1 of 350	99.7%	★★★★★
2023	98.9	1 of 363	99.7%	★★★★★
2022	98.5	2 of 326	99.4%	★★★★★
2021	98.9	3 of 254	98.8%	★★★★★
2019	98.7	3 of 352	99.1%	★★★★★
2018	98.4	4 of 315	98.7%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	72.6	24 of 132	81.8%	★★★★☆
2024	72.7	26 of 126	79.4%	★★★★☆
2023	69.4	37 of 125	70.4%	★★★★☆
2022	66.8	31 of 93	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.9	73 of 134	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	57.6	56 of 121	53.7%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	99.1	4 of 352	98.9%	★★★★★
2024	99.5	1 of 357	99.7%	★★★★★
2023	98.4	4 of 356	98.9%	★★★★★
2022	99.3	1 of 328	99.7%	★★★★★
2021	99.8	1 of 249	99.6%	★★★★★
2019	99.1	3 of 343	99.1%	★★★★★
2018	98.4	6 of 317	98.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2025	97.9	1 of 275	99.6%	★★★★★
2024	99.2	1 of 273	99.6%	★★★★★
2023	97.9	4 of 286	98.6%	★★★★★
2022	99.1	1 of 265	99.6%	★★★★★
2019	98.7	2 of 283	99.3%	★★★★★
2018	97.4	7 of 199	96.5%	★★★★★

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)

Elementary school

Female (2025)100th percentile~ school

White (2025)99th percentile~ school

Male (2025)99th percentile~ school

Asian (2025)92nd percentile-7 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2025)20th percentile-79 vs school

Middle school

Female (2025)100th percentile~ school

White (2025)100th percentile~ school

Male (2025)99th percentile~ school

African American (2025)97th percentile-3 vs school

Asian (2025)92nd percentile-7 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2025)82nd percentile-18 vs school

By subject vs Colorado (2024-2025) ?

Science92%+54 vs state

English Language Arts91%+47 vs state

Math91%+55 vs state

3.4

7 ratings · 5 written reviews

5★4

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★2

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, May 11, 2017

Challenge was a great school when my daughters began attending. However, since the new principle has taken over the staff diversity has gone to none and the IB program no longer exists. The kids of color are judged and disciplined for tying their shoe in the hallway while Caucasian children with money are allowed to use the discriminatory "N" word as an every day casual greeting. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Extremely disappointed. My child was fairly accepted into this school only to be told two months later into the school year that she was not advanced enough. Then I was threatened that my child could possibly not return the following school year. I moved our whole life out here based on my child's acceptance then was told this. Academics are great but leadership is a joke. Apply at your own risk! Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, August 22, 2015

Our Kid is going to this school from last 4 years and we could not be more happier than how we are regarding our kids future. We feel, all kids in this school are in safe hand. The curriculum is excellent for all graders. Teachers are highly qualified and very enthusiastic. Most of the parents are responsible. One thing, if someone thinks the school as a baby sitting place, then definitely this is not a place for them.Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, February 27, 2012

we just switched our fifth grader over to Challenge this year and could not be any happier. The environment is warm and cozy but the kids are challenged and expected to perform. It is amazing what the school is able to accomplish without too much pressure on the kids. This is what education should be. My other two children attend other Cherry Creek schools and it is very frustrating that more of the traditional schools don't look to Challenge. Obviously, a traditional school can not adopt the Challenge program in toto, but there are certain elements that could greatly impact a traditional school. Close Quote

by a student
Sunday, December 4, 2011

I am a student at the Challenge school, and I have been for nine years. I have spent about 60% of my life at this school, and it has impacted me so much! The environment is cozy and friendly, the other kids are awesome, the teachers are intelligent and funny, and the academics are challenging but also interesting. Challenge is like a second home to me, and I cannot recommend it more for any child who loves to learn. Close Quote

Schools Near Challenge School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				CMAS English Language Arts (2025)							CMAS Math (2025)							CMAS Science (2025)		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	CMAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts All Grades	CMAS Math 3rd Grade	CMAS Math 4th Grade	CMAS Math 5th Grade	CMAS Math 6th Grade	CMAS Math 7th Grade	CMAS Math 8th Grade	CMAS Math All Grades	CMAS Science 5th Grade	CMAS Science 8th Grade	Total
Challenge School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	9659 East Mississippi Avenue	Denver	80247	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	No	Yes	No	No	(720) 747-2100	560	35	16.1	17.3%	195 (34.8%)	78 (13.9%)	39 (7.0%)	178 (31.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	68 (12.1%)	99	5^th of 950 public elementary schools	99.5%		98.8	5^th of 943 public elementary schools	99.5%		82.0	84.7	97.4	90.1	93.2	98.6	91.3	90.2	87.5	92.2	90.1	90.5	94.4	90.9	89.5	94.4	$16,722
Highline Community Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	11000 East Exposition	Aurora	80012	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 747-2300	435	33	13.2	69.0%	38 (8.7%)	62 (14.3%)	269 (61.8%)	22 (5.1%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (0.9%)	39 (9.0%)	9.5	894^th of 950 public elementary schools	5.9%		10.1	881^st of 943 public elementary schools	6.6%	13	10.0	11.7	28.1				16.4	15.3	4.9	17.9				12.5	12.7		$19,153
Village East Community Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1433 South Oakland Street	Aurora	80012	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 747-2000	821	50	16.4	65.7%	120 (14.6%)	196 (23.9%)	376 (45.8%)	30 (3.7%)	6 (0.7%)	8 (1.0%)	85 (10.4%)	10.1	885^th of 950 public elementary schools	6.8%		10.6	870^th of 943 public elementary schools	7.7%	15	10.8	14.7	19.3				15.2	14.2	11.0	16.1				13.8	20.0		$17,296
Ponderosa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1885 South Lima Street	Aurora	80012	Arapahoe County	Cherry Creek School District No. 5	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 747-2800	634	35	18.1	71.5%	95 (15.0%)	139 (21.9%)	281 (44.3%)	50 (7.9%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	65 (10.3%)	13.9	820^th of 950 public elementary schools	13.7%		13.8	824^th of 943 public elementary schools	12.6%	4	10.3	20.8	26.2				18.6	11.8	19.3	23.6				17.9	21.1		$16,789
Lowry Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8001 East Cedar Avenue	Denver	80230	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 424-5910	400	29	13.9	74.8%	81 (20.3%)	153 (38.3%)	125 (31.3%)	6 (1.5%)	4 (1.0%)	2 (0.5%)	29 (7.3%)	24.2	675^th of 950 public elementary schools	28.9%		22.6	702^nd of 943 public elementary schools	25.6%	27	23.5	25.4	39.1				28.8	34.6	20.3	27.7				27.2	19.6		$19,714
Aurora Academy Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	10251 East 1st Ave	Aurora	80010	Arapahoe County	Aurora Joint District No. 28	Yes	No	No	No	(303) 367-5983	536	40	13.4	73.9%	49 (9.1%)	272 (50.7%)	173 (32.3%)	10 (1.9%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (5.2%)	42.7	509^th of 950 public elementary schools	46.4%		50.7	443^rd of 943 public elementary schools	53.0%	66	41.0	18.9	48.0	38.2	62.7	52.9	42.5	39.7		36.0	35.3	31.4		30.5	38.0	35.3	$13,726
Place Bridge Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	7125 Cherry Creek Drive North	Denver	80224	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 424-0960	824	63	13.0	85.2%	65 (7.9%)	193 (23.4%)	467 (56.7%)	77 (9.3%)	4 (0.5%)	3 (0.4%)	15 (1.8%)	11.3	866^th of 950 public elementary schools	8.8%		8.3	908^th of 943 public elementary schools	3.7%	42			19.0	12.3	12.9	13.8	13.2	20.8	12.5	17.9		12.3		11.5	16.7	7.8	$19,602
Rocky Mountain Prep Creekside	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	7808 Cherry Creek South Dr #3	Denver	80231	Denver County	School District No. 1	Yes	No	No	Yes	(720) 863-8920	637	45	14.0	85.9%	67 (10.5%)	302 (47.4%)	234 (36.7%)	12 (1.9%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (2.7%)	64	326^th of 950 public elementary schools	65.7%		58	381^st of 943 public elementary schools	59.6%	55	35.8	48.6	59.2				47.6	48.2	46.8	53.2				49.4	53.2		$17,435
Denver Green School Southeast	Public	K-8	6700 East Virginia Avenue	Denver	80224	Denver County	School District No. 1	No	No	No	Yes	(720) 424-7480	586	36	16.0	64.8%	125 (21.3%)	99 (16.9%)	289 (49.3%)	17 (2.9%)	6 (1.0%)	2 (0.3%)	48 (8.2%)	12.1	856^th of 950 public elementary schools	9.9%		13.9	822^nd of 943 public elementary schools	12.8%	34	7.4	25.0	19.0	29.3	25.0	33.9	23.3	8.2	16.4	15.9	6.5	13.5	16.1	12.7	17.5	21.3	$17,701
Lansing Elementary Community School	Public	PK, KG-5	551 Lansing St	Aurora	80010	Arapahoe County	Aurora Joint District No. 28	No	No	No	Yes	(303) 364-8297	366	29	12.6	85.8%	29 (7.9%)	77 (21.0%)	215 (58.7%)	15 (4.1%)	5 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	24 (6.6%)	6	941^st of 950 public elementary schools	0.9%		6.6	925^th of 943 public elementary schools	1.9%	16	7.1	6.5	20.9				11.0	7.1	8.7	11.4				8.9			$22,286

Frequently Asked Questions about Challenge School

How many students attend Challenge School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 560 students attended Challenge School.

What district is Challenge School in?

Cherry Creek School District No. 5

What is the racial makeup of Challenge School?

Students at Challenge School are 35% White, 32% Asian, 14% African American, 12% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic.

Is Challenge School a good school?

Yes! Challenge School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 5^th of 950 Colorado elementary schools.

Rate Challenge School!

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