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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.23 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.1%
Math vs. State Avg+38 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+41.3 pts
Overall Proficiency84%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected+11.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,448

Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary — Students at Aurelia Pennekamp Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

4.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 84.6%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 85.5%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
89%
ELA
91%
2024
Math
83.5%
ELA
84.2%

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.

Overall Score
6.8/10
62th percentile in CA
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
5%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Manhattan Beach Unified
District Enrollment
5,925
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,115
District Rank
#6 of 7

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

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