Challenger Middle
Features at a glance
Foreign language instruction
Career technical education courses
An organic garden on campus
Ecology and environment learning programs
School-based sports and athletics clubs
Parent involvement programs, including a parent center
Wellness programs and onsite wellness coordinator
Safe and inclusive anti-bullying leadership programs
Community and business partnerships
Before and after school care
Integrated project-based learning
Music
Challenger Middle School is a traditional public school located in the community of Mira Mesa. We are a neighborhood school whose demographic population is diverse in its socioeconomic levels, cultures, and ethnicities. Challenger is named in honor of the space shuttle Challenger and her courageous crew which included the first "Teacher in Space," Christa McAuliffe.
Challenger Middle School’s dedication, commitment, and strive for excellence is what makes it so special. Our students are high performing and the academic achievements of Challenger can be attributed to our inspiring, committed, and caring teachers, staff, parents, and community. Our support system is truly exceptional!
Middle school is a unique and vital time for our students. At Challenger, we want to make sure that our students are inspired to learn and that they feel safe and comfortable to make mistakes. We strive to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and we encourage the pursuit of interests and passions. The academic rigor of our classes is designed to support our students’ inquisitiveness for learning and character development as they continue their educational journey.
Challenger became a middle school with 6th through 8th grades in 1996 and earned the California Distinguished School status in 2001, 2009, and 2019. Since then, Challenger has continued to foster lifelong learning by collaborating and coordinating with a minimum of three elementary schools and a high school. The Challenger community believes in educating the whole child. We offer enrichment activities, pursue high physical fitness and nutrition standards, and maintain a culture of high expectations and rigorous academics.
Our Vision
The Challenger Middle School community educates and empowers every child to excel academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. We model integrity, persistence, critical thinking, reflection, and communication. We accept individual differences to cultivate a sense of belonging. We rise to every challenge as we prepare for high school and beyond.
Our Mission
As a community we work to develop and nurture:
~ Life-long learners
~ A love of learning
~ The pursuit of personal excellence
~ Responsible citizens of good character
~ A safe environment
~ A community that embraces diversity