Average
#3643 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 38% in state
Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary
Elementary School · Manhattan Beach Unified
325 South Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Enrollment
485
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
485
Student-Teacher
23.1:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Manhattan Beach
#6 of 7
public schools
California elementary schools
#2,357 of 5,817
In district
#6 of 7
Manhattan Beach Unified
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary
Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary serves 485 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in Manhattan Beach's affluent coastal community. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 23.1:1 student-teacher ratio while delivering exceptional academic results that place it among California's top elementary schools. The school earns an impressive 8.8 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #270 out of 9,566 California elementary schools, placing it in the 97th percentile statewide.
Academic performance is particularly strong, with 84% of students achieving proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels. This consistent excellence in core subjects reflects the school's commitment to rigorous instruction and high expectations. Located at 325 South Peck Avenue, Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary sits in the heart of Manhattan Beach, where families value education highly.
The surrounding 90266 zip code demonstrates this commitment, with 78% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $187,217. The community's low 3.2% poverty rate and median home values exceeding $2 million reflect the area's economic stability. The school operates within Manhattan Beach's large suburban setting, offering students access to both excellent educational resources and the unique advantages of coastal Southern California living.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary is 23.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary — Students at Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
4.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.6/10.
How Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary Compares
See how Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 89% (2019) to 83.68% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 91% (2019) to 84.1% (2024).
Location
325 South Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadows Avenue Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pacific Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hermosa View Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Hermosa Beach), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Manhattan Beach, see our Manhattan Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mira Costa High Manhattan Beach | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| JOURNEY OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Manhattan Beach | 0.4 mi | — |
| Hermosa View Elementary Hermosa Beach | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Beach Cities Learning, Manhattan Beach Manhattan Beach | 0.7 mi | — |
| Meadows Avenue Elementary Manhattan Beach | 0.7 mi | 8.9 |
| DEL SOL PRESCHOOL-KINDERGARTEN:A REGGIO-INSPIRED C Manhattan Beach | 0.7 mi | — |
| BEACH CITIES LEARNING CENTER Manhattan Beach | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| MANHATTAN ACADEMY Manhattan Beach | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Manhattan Academy Manhattan Beach | 0.7 mi | — |
| Creative Kids Manhattan Beach | 0.8 mi | — |
| Manhattan Beach Middle Manhattan Beach | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Fusion Academy South Bay Hermosa Beach | 0.9 mi | — |
| FUSION ACADEMY SB: SOUTH BAY Hermosa Beach | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Magic Rainbow Pre School Manhattan Bch | 0.8 mi | — |
| Hermosa Valley Elementary Hermosa Beach | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Hermosa Vista Hermosa Beach | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Opal Robinson Elementary Manhattan Beach | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Birney Elementary Redondo Beach | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Pacific Elementary Manhattan Beach | 1.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Lincoln Elementary Redondo Beach | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 90266 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$193,904
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Rent
$3,492/mo
Population
34,584
College Educated
79%
Homeownership
66.1%
Avg Commute
28.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Median Age
43.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary has a median household income of $193,904. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001, with a median rent of $3,492/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| ALL SOULS WORLD LANGUAGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alhambra, CA | 6.8 |
| Allen (Decima M.) Elementary San Bruno, CA | 6.8 |
| Anna Hause Elementary Beaumont, CA | 6.8 |
| Antelope Elementary Red Bluff, CA | 6.8 |
| Bay Laurel Elementary Calabasas, CA | 6.8 |
| Bayview Elementary San Pablo, CA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary
What grades does Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary serve?
Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary?
Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 485 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary is 23.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary rank in CA?
Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary is ranked #3643 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary has 84.6% math proficiency and 85.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary a charter school?
No, Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary a Title I school?
No, Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary?
4.7% of students at Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,692/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Manhattan Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 485
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 4.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (310) 798-6223
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Manhattan Beach Unified- District Enrollment
- 5,925
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,115
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.