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Average

#525 of 842 schools in PR

Josefa Velez Bauza

High School · PUERTO RICO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

PO BOX 1278, Penuelas, PR 00624

Enrollment

606

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

5.6

Grades

8th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Puerto Rico schools

#525 of 842

In Penuelas

#5 of 7

public schools

In district

#525 of 842

PUERTO RICO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

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Josefa Velez Bauza

5.6/10

High School in Penuelas · grades 8th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Rafael Irizarry Rivera

5.6/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Webster

8.0/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Josefa Velez Bauza

Josefa Velez Bauza is a public high school in Penuelas, PR, part of PUERTO RICO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. Josefa Velez Bauza serves approximately 606 students, and covers grades 8th-12th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Josefa Velez Bauza has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #525 of 842 schools in PR.

Structured state assessment records for Josefa Velez Bauza show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2018) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2018).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • PR avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Josefa Velez Bauza may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

The chronic absenteeism rate at Josefa Velez Bauza was 73% in the 2022-23 school year, which is above the national average. Chronic absenteeism (missing 15 or more school days) can affect classroom dynamics and pacing. Parents should ask about the school's attendance support programs and what resources are available to help families address barriers to consistent attendance.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change-0.79 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2018
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17% (2018 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37% (2018 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2018 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2018 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-12.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness9.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate77%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Chronic Absenteeism72.8%

Josefa Velez Bauza — Students at Josefa Velez Bauza score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PR EDFACTS (2017-18)

Math Proficiency 13.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2018)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2018)
School
State
N/A

Based on 18 test records from PR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
10%
ELA
35%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
38%
2012
Math
14%
ELA
49%
2013
Math
6%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
37%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.

How Josefa Velez Bauza Compares

See how Josefa Velez Bauza performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
38th percentile in PR
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
72.8%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 1278, Penuelas, PR 00624

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Josefa Velez Bauza may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SUPERIOR BETHZAIDA VELAZQUEZ (rated 6.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Ponce), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ASUNCION RODRIGUEZ DE SALA (rated 5.9/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Guayanilla), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, JOSE EMILIO LUGO (rated 5.4/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Adjuntas), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Penuelas, see our Penuelas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.2 mi
School Distance Rating
RAFAEL IRIZARRY RIVERA Penuelas 1.0 mi 5.6
WEBSTER Penuelas 1.0 mi 8.0
RAMON PEREZ PURCELL Penuelas 1.5 mi 7.0
MIGUEL GONZALEZ BAUZA Penuelas 1.5 mi 7.5
INTERMEDIA TALLABOA ALTA Penuelas 2.1 mi 5.4
GLORIA MARIA BORRERO OLIVERAS Guayanilla 3.1 mi 6.3
DOMINGO MASSOL Adjuntas 4.7 mi 9.1
JORGE LUCAS VALDIVIESO Penuelas 4.8 mi 7.0
DALILA TORRES Guayanilla 4.9 mi 6.7
ASUNCION RODRIGUEZ DE SALA Guayanilla 5.0 mi 5.9
HERMINIO ARZOLA EMMANUELLI Guayanilla 5.0 mi 8.9
ARISTIDES CALES QUIROS Guayanilla 5.1 mi 5.1
SUPERIOR BETHZAIDA VELAZQUEZ Ponce 5.3 mi 6.2
CARMEN SOLA DE PEDREIRA Ponce 6.2 mi 8.3
AUREA E. RIVERA COLLAZO Ponce 6.5 mi 7.6
EUGENIO LE COMPTE BENITEZ Ponce 6.6 mi 5.2
RAFAEL APARICIO JIMENEZ Adjuntas 7.1 mi 4.1
JOSE EMILIO LUGO Adjuntas 7.2 mi 5.4
JULIO ALVARADO TRICOCHE Ponce 7.0 mi 7.2
LILA MARIA MERCEDES MAYORAL Ponce 7.2 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 00624 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$21,091

Median Home Value

$88,100

Median Rent

$530/mo

Population

21,374

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

68.8%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

51.2%

Median Age

40.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
DOMINGO APONTE COLLAZO Lares, PR 5.6
EUGENIO MARIA DE HOSTOS MAYAGUEZ Mayaguez, PR 5.6
JOSEFINA LEON ZAYAS Jayuya, PR 5.6
LEONIDES MORALES RODRIGUEZ Lajas, PR 5.6
LINO PADRO RIVERA Vega Baja, PR 5.6
LUIS NEGRON LOPEZ Sabana Grande, PR 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Josefa Velez Bauza

What grades does Josefa Velez Bauza serve?

Josefa Velez Bauza serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Josefa Velez Bauza?

Josefa Velez Bauza has an enrollment of approximately 606 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Josefa Velez Bauza?

The student-teacher ratio at Josefa Velez Bauza is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Josefa Velez Bauza rank in PR?

Josefa Velez Bauza ranks #525 of 842 schools in PR.

What is Josefa Velez Bauza's MySchoolScout rating?

Josefa Velez Bauza has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Josefa Velez Bauza?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Josefa Velez Bauza has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2018) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2018).

Is Josefa Velez Bauza a charter school?

No, Josefa Velez Bauza is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Josefa Velez Bauza a Title I school?

No, Josefa Velez Bauza is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Josefa Velez Bauza?

91.1% of students at Josefa Velez Bauza 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
606
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Free/Reduced Lunch
91.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Peñuelas Municipio
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
72.8%
4-Year Graduation
77.0%

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academics, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. 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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