Average
#1540 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Manuel Pena Jr. School
Elementary School · Cartwright Elementary District (4282)
2550 N 79TH AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85035
Enrollment
730
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
730
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#292 of 398
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#907 of 1,216
In district
#12 of 22
Cartwright Elementary District (4282)
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Manuel Pena Jr. School
Manuel Pena Jr. School is an elementary school in Phoenix, Arizona, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 730 students, the school has a student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1, providing a fairly personalized learning environment with 39 full-time equivalent teachers.
The school is located in a bustling urban setting in the heart of Phoenix, offering students a variety of city resources and activities. Manuel Pena Jr. School's MySchoolScout rating is 4.3 out of 10, placing it in the 30th percentile among Arizona schools.
Academically, the school focuses on student development with ELA proficiency rates at 23% and math proficiency at 17%. Despite these challenges, the school is working to support its students in a community where 20.8% of residents live in poverty, with a median household income of $53,633 and a median home value of $215,700. The neighborhood has a relatively low rate of college-educated adults, with only 8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Manuel Pena Jr. School is an integral part of its diverse and vibrant Phoenix community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Manuel Pena Jr. School — Students at Manuel Pena Jr. School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.
How Manuel Pena Jr. School Compares
See how Manuel Pena Jr. School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 23% (2022).
Location
2550 N 79TH AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85035
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Manuel Pena Jr. School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Desert Oasis Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Tolleson), which scores notably higher. Another option is ACCLAIM Academy (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Peralta School (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts Phoenix | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Amberlea Elementary School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Pan-American Charter School Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School Phoenix | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Trevor Browne High School Phoenix | 0.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Midtown High School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | — |
| Precision Academy Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Desert Horizon Elementary School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Peralta School Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Estrella Middle School Phoenix | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| ACCLAIM Academy Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Premier Charter High School Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Desert Oasis Elementary School Tolleson | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| G. Frank Davidson Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Tomahawk School Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Imagine Desert West Middle Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 3.2 |
| Imagine Desert West Elementary Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Heatherbrae School Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Pendergast Elementary School Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Sunset School Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85035 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,790
Median Home Value
$244,300
Median Rent
$1,390/mo
Population
52,002
College Educated
10.1%
Homeownership
46.4%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
21.7%
Median Age
27.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Manuel Pena Jr. School has a median household income of $57,790. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $244,300, with a median rent of $1,390/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| EAGLE College Prep Phoenix, AZ | 5.2 |
| Eisenhower Center for Innovation Mesa, AZ | 5.2 |
| Gowan Science Academy Yuma, AZ | 5.2 |
| John S McCain III Elementary School Buckeye, AZ | 5.2 |
| McCartney Ranch Elementary School Casa Grande, AZ | 5.2 |
| Patterson Elementary Mesa, AZ | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #1540 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Manuel Pena Jr. School's MySchoolScout rating?
Manuel Pena Jr. School has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Manuel Pena Jr. School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Manuel Pena Jr. School has 19.7% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,139/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 730
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (623) 691-3100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cartwright Elementary District (4282)- District Enrollment
- 13,720
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,949
- District Rank
- #12 of 22
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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