Below Average
#1801 of 2,006 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
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
730
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#1,801 of 2,006
In Phoenix
#357 of 422
public schools
In district
#16 of 22
Cartwright Elementary District (4282)
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Manuel Pena Jr. School
Elementary School in Phoenix · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Raul H. Castro Middle School: Academy of Fine Arts
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Amberlea Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Manuel Pena Jr. School
Manuel Pena Jr. School is a public elementary school in Phoenix, AZ, part of Cartwright Elementary District (4282). Manuel Pena Jr.
School serves approximately 730 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Manuel Pena Jr. School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,801 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Manuel Pena Jr. School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- District avg 4.8
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
47% of students at Manuel Pena Jr. School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Manuel Pena Jr. School — Students at Manuel Pena Jr. School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 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: 2.4/10.
How Manuel Pena Jr. School Compares
See how Manuel Pena Jr. School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Sunset School (rated 8.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School (rated 5.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, G. Frank Davidson (rated 5.3/10, 1.4 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 | 2.8 |
| Amberlea Elementary School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Pan-American Charter School Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School Phoenix | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Trevor Browne High School Phoenix | 0.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Midtown High School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | — |
| Precision Academy Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Desert Horizon Elementary School Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 2.9 |
| Peralta School Phoenix | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Estrella Middle School Phoenix | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| ACCLAIM Academy Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Premier Charter High School Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Desert Oasis Elementary School Tolleson | 1.3 mi | 4.4 |
| G. Frank Davidson Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Tomahawk School Phoenix | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Imagine Desert West Middle Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 2.1 |
| Imagine Desert West Elementary Phoenix | 1.6 mi | 2.2 |
| Heatherbrae School Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Pendergast Elementary School Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Sunset School Phoenix | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Echo Mountain Primary School Phoenix, AZ | 4.0 |
| Glenn F Burton School Glendale, AZ | 4.0 |
| J. O. Combs Middle School San Tan Valley, AZ | 4.0 |
| Magma Ranch K8 School Florence, AZ | 4.0 |
| Papago School Phoenix, AZ | 4.0 |
| Whittier Elementary School Mesa, AZ | 4.0 |
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 47.1%
- Phone
- (623) 691-3100
Resources & Links
District
Cartwright Elementary District (4282)- District Enrollment
- 13,720
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,949
- District Rank
- #16 of 22
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