Below Average
#1801 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Manuel Pena Jr. School
Elementary School · Cartwright Elementary District (4282) · Phoenix, AZ
A Cartwright Elementary District (4282) elementary school where students score 5 points below what's typical for similar communities.
2550 N 79TH AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85035
- Math 17% proficient (2022)
- Reading 23% proficient (2022)
- 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Manuel Pena Jr. School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. AZ average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 13 points since 2019, to 20% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 37% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 41% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Manuel Pena Jr. School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Phoenix map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 58Somewhat Walkable
- Transit 47Some Transit
- Bike 54Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,139/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Phoenix), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$57,790
Median home value
$244,300
Median rent
$1,390/mo
College educated
10.1%
Homeownership
46.4%
Poverty rate
21.7%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 85035; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amberlea Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.4 | PK–8 | 0.6 mi | 502 | Compare → |
| Pan-american Charter SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 3.9 | K–12 | 0.7 mi | 1,170 | Compare → |
| Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.7 | PK–8 | 0.8 mi | 713 | Compare → |
| Peralta SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.2 | PK–6 | 1.0 mi | 877 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Cartwright Elementary District (4282)
- Schools in district
- 23
- Rank in district
- #16 of 22
- District spending per student
- $11,949NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 23.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
Manuel Pena Jr. School is listed in Cartwright Elementary District (4282); a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Manuel Pena Jr. School
Manuel Pena Jr. School is a public elementary school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Cartwright Elementary District (4282), serving approximately 730 students in grades Pre-K-6th with a 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,801 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
State assessment records show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Manuel Pena Jr. School
What grades does Manuel Pena Jr. School serve?
Manuel Pena Jr. School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Manuel Pena Jr. School?
Manuel Pena Jr. School has an enrollment of approximately 730 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Manuel Pena Jr. School?
The student-teacher ratio at Manuel Pena Jr. School is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Manuel Pena Jr. School rank in AZ?
Manuel Pena Jr. School ranks #1,801 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Manuel Pena Jr. School's MySchoolScout rating?
Manuel Pena Jr. School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Manuel Pena Jr. School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Manuel Pena Jr. School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Manuel Pena Jr. School a charter school?
No, Manuel Pena Jr. School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Manuel Pena Jr. School a Title I school?
No, Manuel Pena Jr. School is not currently a Title I school.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 730
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 47.1%
- Phone
- (623) 691-3100
- Area population (ZIP 85035)
- 52,002
- Area average commute
- 26.7 min
- Area median age
- 27.2
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 85035; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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