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#1094 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center

High School · Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. ( (4431)

1840 E BENSON HWY, Tucson, AZ 85714

Charter

Enrollment

122

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tucson

#125 of 246

public schools

Arizona high schools

#230 of 429

In district

#3 of 6

Portable Practical Educational Preparation Inc. ( (4431)

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center

PPEP TEC - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center is an alternative high school located in Tucson, Arizona, with a focus on serving 9th to 12th-grade students. The school has an enrollment of 122 students and offers a unique educational environment tailored to meet the needs of its diverse student body. While specific data on student-teacher ratio and teacher qualifications are not available, the school is committed to providing a supportive and engaging learning experience.

PPEP TEC is part of the Pima County charter school system and aims to provide an alternative pathway for students who may not thrive in traditional educational settings. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and state ranking of 1943 out of 2029 reflect areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth. Test scores show that 10% of students are proficient in both ELA/Reading and Math, indicating a need for continued improvement in these areas.

The school is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $45,543 and a poverty rate of 24%, highlighting the challenges many students face. With a college-educated population of only 9%, PPEP TEC works to provide opportunities for students to achieve academic success and prepare for future endeavors. The community around PPEP TEC is vibrant and diverse, offering a supportive setting for the school’s mission to empower its students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 122 students, Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center 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.

While current test scores at Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-23.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$12,224

Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center — Students at Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center score 10% proficient, which is below 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 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center Compares

See how Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
45th percentile in AZ
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Location

1840 E BENSON HWY, Tucson, AZ 85714

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pima Vocational High School (rated 8.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Youth Works Charter High School (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Innovation Tech High School (rated 6.3/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Alta Vista High School Tucson 0.6 mi 4.2
Rivera Elementary Tucson 0.7 mi 4.2
Van Buskirk Elementary School Tucson 0.9 mi 8.3
Esperanza Elementary School Tucson 1.1 mi 4.3
Cavett Elementary School Tucson 1.3 mi 7.1
Utterback Middle School Tucson 1.4 mi 7.2
Ocotillo Early Learning Elementary School Tucson 1.5 mi 6.8
Southside Community School Tucson 1.5 mi 5.8
Los Amigos Elementary School Tucson 1.5 mi 4.4
Sierra 2-8 School Tucson 1.5 mi 4.7
Pima County JTED - Bridges Day Program Tucson 1.5 mi
Pima County JTED - Bridges Evening Program Tucson 1.5 mi
Innovation Tech High School Tucson 1.5 mi 6.3
Youth Works Charter High School Tucson 1.6 mi 6.7
Drexel Elementary School Tucson 1.6 mi 4.6
Pima Vocational High School Tucson 1.6 mi 8.0
PCJTED - Sunnyside High School Tucson 1.8 mi
Sunnyside High School Tucson 1.8 mi 4.9
Pueblo Gardens Elementary Tucson 1.9 mi 4.9
Holladay Intermediate Magnet School Tucson 1.9 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85714 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,093

Median Home Value

$177,100

Median Rent

$879/mo

Population

14,286

College Educated

9.5%

Homeownership

51.2%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

24.2%

Median Age

33.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center has a median household income of $47,093. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,100, with a median rent of $879/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.2%, 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
Ajo High School Ajo, AZ 6.0
Center for Academic Success #2 - Douglas 9-12 Douglas, AZ 6.0
Cornerstone Charter School New River, AZ 6.0
Ombudsman - Charter Northeast Tempe, AZ 6.0
Patagonia Union High School Patagonia, AZ 6.0
EdOptions Preparatory Academy Tempe, AZ 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center

What grades does Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center serve?

Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center?

Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 122 students.

How does Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center rank in AZ?

Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center is ranked #1094 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center has 10.0% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center a charter school?

Yes, Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center a Title I school?

No, Ppep Tec - Celestino Fernandez Learning Center 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
122
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Pima County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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