Challenge School

Summary:

Challenge School is a public magnet elementary and middle school located in Denver, Colorado, serving grades PK-8 with a total enrollment of 550 students. As part of the Cherry Creek School District, which is ranked 28th out of 116 districts in Colorado, Challenge School consistently ranks among the top 5-11 elementary schools in the state with a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Challenge School's academic performance is truly exceptional, with proficiency rates in CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) exams that are significantly higher than the district and state averages across all grades and subjects. For example, in 2023-2024, the school had an 88.8% proficiency rate in ELA and an 88.3% proficiency rate in Math, compared to the district's 48.3% and 40.8%, and the state's 44.1% and 34.2%, respectively. The school's performance is particularly strong in 8th grade, with 96.7% proficiency in ELA and 95% in Math.

While Challenge School has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Asian (27.64%) and White (36.36%) students, it has a lower percentage of Hispanic (8.91%) and African American (16.73%) students. Additionally, the school has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 11.27% in 2022-2023, significantly lower than the nearby schools, which range from 68.75% to 93.16%. However, the school's higher student-teacher ratio of 18.3, compared to the nearby schools (ranging from 11.6 to 16.8), may present some challenges in terms of individualized attention and support for students.


Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-8

 9659 East Mississippi Avenue
       Denver, CO  80231-2401


(720) 747-2100

District: Cherry Creek School District No. 5

SchoolDigger Rank:
5th of 943 Colorado Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,826 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  18.3 Help
Number of students:  550

Racial breakdown:

White:
36.4%
Asian:
27.6%
African American:
16.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  11.3% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Challenge School ranks better than 99.5% of elementary schools in Colorado. It also ranks first among 46 ranked elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 98.81. (See more...)
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Compare Details Challenge School ranks better than 99.8% of middle schools in Colorado. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 99.44. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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
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Compare Details Challenge School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Challenge School is $14,826. 32 elementary schools in the Cherry Creek School District No. 5 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Challenge School:

SchoolDigger ranks Challenge School 5th of 943 Colorado public elementary schools. (See Challenge School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Asian students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Challenge School 1st of 485 Colorado public middle schools. (See Challenge School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
White students:


Cherry Creek School District No. 5:

SchoolDigger ranks Cherry Creek School District No. 5 28th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Challenge School.

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Rank History for Challenge School

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Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 96.78 2nd 808 99.8%
2005 96.16 2nd 823 99.8%
2006 96.30 2nd 829 99.8%
2007 96.78 1st 852 99.9%
2008 96.61 2nd 849 99.8%
2009 96.50 1st 872 99.9%
2010 96.74 1st 925 99.9%
2011 96.48 1st 935 99.9%
2012 96.75 2nd 935 99.8%
2013 97.05 1st 954 99.9%
2014 97.18 2nd 962 99.8%
2015 99.77 2nd 938 99.8%
2016 99.45 5th 914 99.5%
2017 99.06 5th 929 99.5%
2018 98.65 6th 917 99.3%
2019 98.03 11th 965 98.9%
2021 98.58 6th 710 99.2%
2022 98.64 5th 921 99.5%
2023 98.27 8th 933 99.1%
2024 98.81 5th 943 99.5%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 97.72 5th 690 99.3%
2019 96.45 11th 758 98.5%
2021 97.82 5th 351 98.6%
2022 98.16 3rd 595 99.5%
2023 98.14 4th 642 99.4%
2024 97.48 6th 684 99.1%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Gifted and Talented students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.93 53rd 84 36.9%
2019 53.95 63rd 110 42.7%
2022 60.80 11th 22 50.0%
2023 46.03 59th 82 28.0%
2024 38.99 72nd 91 20.9%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 97.99 7th 693 99.0%
2019 97.86 10th 764 98.7%
2021 96.52 10th 352 97.2%
2022 96.33 13th 594 97.8%
2023 95.14 17th 649 97.4%
2024 97.95 4th 683 99.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school Asian students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 82.02 3rd 9 66.7%
2019 89.75 1st 11 90.9%
2022 75.84 3rd 10 70.0%
2023 78.56 3rd 15 80.0%
2024 89.16 1st 12 91.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 96.01 7th 337 97.9%
2019 92.45 21st 596 96.5%
2021 97.69 3rd 288 99.0%
2022 97.83 3rd 454 99.3%
2023 97.10 5th 525 99.0%
2024 97.76 3rd 539 99.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Challenge School

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Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 98.00 1st 336 99.7%
2005 97.85 1st 340 99.7%
2006 97.82 1st 346 99.7%
2007 97.67 1st 360 99.7%
2008 97.79 1st 362 99.7%
2009 97.57 1st 377 99.7%
2010 97.28 3rd 409 99.3%
2011 97.16 2nd 422 99.5%
2012 97.37 1st 425 99.8%
2013 97.80 1st 454 99.8%
2014 98.07 1st 461 99.8%
2015 99.79 1st 436 99.8%
2016 99.81 1st 400 99.8%
2017 99.63 3rd 424 99.3%
2018 99.26 3rd 418 99.3%
2019 99.28 3rd 458 99.3%
2021 99.78 2nd 369 99.5%
2022 99.41 2nd 448 99.6%
2023 99.12 3rd 480 99.4%
2024 99.44 1st 485 99.8%
See the entire list of Colorado Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 98.45 4th 315 98.7%
2019 98.73 3rd 352 99.1%
2021 98.85 3rd 254 98.8%
2022 98.51 2nd 326 99.4%
2023 98.86 1st 363 99.7%
2024 98.61 1st 350 99.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Gifted and Talented students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.58 56th 121 53.7%
2019 53.87 73rd 134 45.5%
2022 66.83 31st 93 66.7%
2023 69.37 37th 125 70.4%
2024 72.74 26th 126 79.4%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 98.42 6th 317 98.1%
2019 99.14 3rd 343 99.1%
2021 99.80 1st 249 99.6%
2022 99.34 1st 328 99.7%
2023 98.44 4th 356 98.9%
2024 99.48 1st 357 99.7%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Asian students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 92.81 1st 25 96.0%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Challenge School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 97.42 7th 199 96.5%
2019 98.71 2nd 283 99.3%
2022 99.11 1st 265 99.6%
2023 97.88 4th 286 98.6%
2024 99.19 1st 273 99.6%
See the entire list of Best Colorado Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado 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.

Challenge School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.4)
57%

0%

0%

14%

29%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, May 11, 2017

Open Quote 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

Open Quote 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

Open Quote 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 Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, February 27, 2012

Open Quote 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

Open Quote 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



Enrollment information for Challenge School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1995 240 13 19 7 2 n/a n/a 0 281
1996 240 13 19 7 2 n/a n/a 0 281
1997 252 16 27 6 1 n/a n/a 0 302
1998 351 20 38 9 0 n/a n/a 0 418
1999 390 20 45 9 0 n/a n/a 0 464
2000 380 20 41 11 3 n/a n/a 0 455
2001 399 19 38 7 3 n/a n/a 0 466
2002 403 23 61 13 0 n/a n/a 0 500
2003 403 23 61 13 0 n/a n/a 0 500
2004 429 27 66 11 0 n/a n/a 0 533
2005 419 25 70 12 0 n/a n/a 0 526
2006 408 27 88 15 0 n/a n/a 0 538
2007 392 29 96 17 0 n/a n/a 0 534
2008 370 33 109 22 0 n/a n/a 0 534
2009 361 39 104 31 1 n/a n/a 0 536
2010 351 36 118 31 2 n/a n/a 0 538
2011 285 38 111 64 1 2 34 0 535
2012 278 38 114 66 1 2 35 0 534
2013 274 38 113 69 1 2 39 0 536
2014 258 40 122 69 1 2 41 0 533
2015 249 43 126 67 1 1 46 0 533
2016 248 48 122 65 1 1 49 0 534
2017 242 66 109 62 1 1 51 0 532
2018 232 77 107 66 1 0 51 0 534
2019 223 85 104 59 1 1 54 0 527
2020 210 94 109 58 1 1 55 0 528
2021 209 93 126 55 1 2 56 0 542
2022 199 89 137 52 1 2 54 0 534
2023 200 92 152 49 0 1 56 0 550

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 Challenge School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 281 14.8 19.0 3.6
1996 281 14.8 19.0 3.6
1997 302 15.9 19.0 1.3
1998 418 22.4 18.7 0.5
1999 464 28.9 16.1 0.6
2000 455 28.0 16.3 1.8
2001 466 27.9 16.7 2.1
2002 500 27.9 17.9 1.6
2003 500 27.9 17.9 1.6
2004 533 31.5 16.9 1.3
2005 526 32.1 16.4 1.3
2006 538 32.0 16.8 1.5
2007 534 31.5 17.0 1.9
2008 534 30.9 17.3 1.9
2009 536 30.5 17.6 1.9
2010 538 30.5 17.6 3.5
2011 535 29.9 17.8 4.5
2012 534 29.3 18.1 3.6
2013 536 29.9 17.8 5.2
2014 533 29.8 17.8 4.9
2015 533 29.0 18.3 8.4
2016 534 30.0 17.8 9
2017 532 28.9 18.3 10.3
2018 534 28.8 18.5 12
2019 527 30.1 17.5 11.4
2020 528 30.5 17.2 14.8
2021 542 30.0 18.0 13.3
2022 534 30.7 17.3 12
2023 550 30.0 18.3 11.3

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 Challenge School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 281 14.8 19.0 3.6
1996 281 14.8 19.0 3.6
1997 302 15.9 19.0 1.3
1998 418 22.4 18.7 0.5
1999 464 28.9 16.1 0.6
2000 455 28.0 16.3 1.8
2001 466 27.9 16.7 2.1
2002 500 27.9 17.9 1.6
2003 500 27.9 17.9 1.6
2004 533 31.5 16.9 1.3
2005 526 32.1 16.4 1.3
2006 538 32.0 16.8 1.5
2007 534 31.5 17.0 1.9
2008 534 30.9 17.3 1.9
2009 536 30.5 17.6 1.9
2010 538 30.5 17.6 3.5
2011 535 29.9 17.8 4.5
2012 534 29.3 18.1 3.6
2013 536 29.9 17.8 5.2
2014 533 29.8 17.8 4.9
2015 533 29.0 18.3 8.4
2016 534 30.0 17.8 9
2017 532 28.9 18.3 10.3
2018 534 28.8 18.5 12
2019 527 30.1 17.5 11.4
2020 528 30.5 17.2 14.8
2021 542 30.0 18.0 13.3
2022 534 30.7 17.3 12
2023 550 30.0 18.3 11.3

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 Challenge School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $12,470
2020 $12,611
2021 $12,119
2022 $14,423
2023 $14,826

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Challenge School

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 11th of 965 Elementary schoolsRanks 8th of 933 Elementary schools
 0.3%
Ranks 3rd of 458 Middle schoolsRanks 3rd of 480 Middle schools
 0%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Challenge School)93.196.8
 3.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)49.947.8
 2.1%
   3rd Grade Math (Colorado)4140.4
 0.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Challenge School)86.984.6
 2.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)53.949.3
 4.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)4843.8
 4.2%
4th Grade Math (Challenge School)91.883.1
 8.7%
   4th Grade Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)39.636.4
 3.2%
   4th Grade Math (Colorado)33.632.7
 0.9%
5th Grade Science (Challenge School)69.472.1
 2.7%
   5th Grade Science (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)41.139.4
 1.7%
   5th Grade Science (Colorado)35.933.9
 2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Challenge School)81.784.3
 2.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)51.854.9
 3.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)48.447.8
 0.6%
5th Grade Math (Challenge School)75.377.1
 1.8%
   5th Grade Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)42.142.7
 0.6%
   5th Grade Math (Colorado)35.736.5
 0.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Challenge School)86.282.3
 3.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)47.946.5
 1.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)43.643.4
 0.2%
6th Grade Math (Challenge School)83.378.8
 4.5%
   6th Grade Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)38.633.7
 4.9%
   6th Grade Math (Colorado)29.528.2
 1.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Challenge School)9395.4
 2.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)51.751.4
 0.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Colorado)46.545
 1.5%
7th Grade Math (Challenge School)78.986.2
 7.3%
   7th Grade Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)42.334.1
 8.2%
   7th Grade Math (Colorado)31.626.3
 5.3%
8th Grade Science (Challenge School)78.888.5
 9.7%
   8th Grade Science (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)44.344.7
 0.4%
   8th Grade Science (Colorado)31.531.3
 0.2%
8th Grade Math (Challenge School)92.989.2
 3.7%
   8th Grade Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)4744.2
 2.8%
   8th Grade Math (Colorado)36.932.7
 4.2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Challenge School)87.888.2
 0.4%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)50.849.7
 1.1%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Colorado)45.843.7
 2.1%
All Grades Math (Challenge School)85.284.8
 0.4%
   All Grades Math (Cherry Creek School District No. 5)43.139.9
 3.2%
   All Grades Math (Colorado)34.732.9
 1.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students527550
 4.4%
African American8592
 8.2%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian104152
 46.2%
Hispanic5949
 16.9%
Pacific Islander11
White223200
 10.3%
Two or More Races5456
 3.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients11.4%11.3%
 0.1%


Schools Near Challenge School









Frequently Asked Questions about Challenge School

Yes! Challenge School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 5th of 943 Colorado elementary schools.

Students at Challenge School are 36% White, 28% Asian, 17% African American, 10% Two or more races, 9% Hispanic.

In the 2022-23 school year, 550 students attended 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.





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