Average
#1020 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown
Middle School · CITY Center for Collaborative Learning (85448)
47 E PENNINGTON ST, Tucson, AZ 85701
Enrollment
62
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
62
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tucson
#116 of 246
public schools
Arizona middle schools
#118 of 218
In district
#2 of 3
CITY Center for Collaborative Learning (85448)
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown
Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown is a charter middle school in Tucson, Arizona, serving grades 6 through 8. With an enrollment of just 62 students, the school fosters a close-knit community where students receive personalized attention. The school’s academic performance, as measured by MySchoolScout, places it in the 48th percentile among Arizona schools, with a rating of 5.3 out of 10.
In reading and ELA, 44% of students are proficient or above, while in math, 24% are proficient or above, indicating areas for improvement and growth. The school is situated in a bustling downtown area of Tucson, within the 85701 ZIP code. The neighborhood has a diverse population, with 56% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher, and a median household income of $52,639.
The area also has a 25.7% poverty rate, reflecting a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds. With a median home value of $393,200, the neighborhood is home to both long-time residents and newcomers. Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown is deeply rooted in its vibrant downtown setting, offering students a unique urban educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 62 students, Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown — Students at Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
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: 5.6/10.
How Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown Compares
See how Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 24.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
47 E PENNINGTON ST, Tucson, AZ 85701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pima Partnership Academy (rated 6.0/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mansfeld Middle Magnet School (rated 5.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Paulo Freire Freedom School - University (rated 5.0/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| City High School Tucson | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Pima County Schools Superintendent's Diploma Program Tucson | 0.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Safford K-8 School Tucson | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Mexicayotl Academy Tucson | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Paulo Freire Freedom School - University Tucson | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Roskruge Bilingual Magnet Middle School Tucson | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School Tucson | 0.6 mi | 8.7 |
| PCJTED - Tucson High School Tucson | 0.6 mi | — |
| Tucson Magnet High School Tucson | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Davis Bilingual Magnet School Tucson | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| FIRST SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tucson | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Pima County JTED - Pima Community College Tucson | 1.0 mi | — |
| Project More High School Tucson | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN ACADEMY Tucson | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Drachman Primary Magnet School Tucson | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Pima Partnership Academy Tucson | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Pima Partnership School The Tucson | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| SANTA CRUZ CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tucson | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Nosotros Academy Tucson | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Mansfeld Middle Magnet School Tucson | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,672
Median Home Value
$451,500
Median Rent
$1,183/mo
Population
5,169
College Educated
56.8%
Homeownership
25.1%
Avg Commute
22.3 min
Poverty Rate
23.9%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown has a median household income of $52,672. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $451,500, with a median rent of $1,183/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| New School for the Arts Middle School Tempe, AZ | 5.9 |
| Maricopa Institute of Technology (MIT) Phoenix, AZ | 5.8 |
| Red Mesa Junior High School Teec Nos Pos, AZ | 6.7 |
| Paulo Freire Freedom School - University Tucson, AZ | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown
What grades does Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown serve?
Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown?
Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown has an enrollment of approximately 62 students.
How does Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown rank in AZ?
Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown is ranked #1020 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown's MySchoolScout rating?
Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown has 32.2% math proficiency and 57.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown a charter school?
Yes, Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown a Title I school?
No, Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,922/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tucson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 62
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Pima County
- Phone
- (520) 352-0057
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CITY Center for Collaborative Learning (85448)- District Enrollment
- 301
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,343
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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