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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

Charter

Enrollment

62

Score

6.2

Grades

6th – 8th

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 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment5.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$12,779

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.2/10
49th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

CITY Center for Collaborative Learning (85448)
District Enrollment
301
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,343
District Rank
#2 of 3

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 methodology

Related reading

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