At a glance
Reported students
806
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
42.17
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
19.1:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–06
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Arizona elementary enrollment
90th percentile
Compared with 1,189 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
641
Manuel Pena Jr. School: 806 reported students.
State peer staffing position
76th percentile
19.1:1 reported; state peer median 16.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 777
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Student–teacher ratio
- 17.3:1
What the reported data says about Manuel Pena Jr. School
Manuel Pena Jr. School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–06 in Phoenix. It is one of 23 current school records connected to Cartwright Elementary District (4282). NCES reports 806 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,189 elementary schools in Arizona with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 453 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 90th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 19.1:1, above the Arizona median of 16.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (81%) and Black (11.5%). English learners represent 24.2% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 10.4%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Manuel Pena Jr. School
- 1How do the reported 19.1:1 student–teacher ratio and 42.17 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 24.2%
- Students with disabilities
- 10.4%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 2
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White2.9%
- Hispanic81%
- Black11.5%
- Asian0.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native1.9%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial2%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Cartwright Elementary District (4282)
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Peralta School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
817 reported students
Sunset School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
739 reported students
Charles W. Harris School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
875 reported students
Tomahawk School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
718 reported students
Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School
Elementary · Grades PK–08
703 reported students
Glenn L. Downs Social Sciences Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–08
684 reported students
Public schools near Manuel Pena Jr. School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amberlea Elementary School Elementary · Pendergast Elementary District (4283) | PK–08 | 457 | 0.6 mi |
| Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School Elementary · Cartwright Elementary District (4282) | PK–08 | 703 | 0.8 mi |
| Peralta School Elementary · Cartwright Elementary District (4282) | PK–06 | 817 | 1 mi |
| Desert Horizon Elementary School Elementary · Pendergast Elementary District (4283) | PK–08 | 690 | 1.1 mi |
| Desert Oasis Elementary School Elementary · Tolleson Elementary District (4264) | PK–08 | 738 | 1.3 mi |
| G. Frank Davidson Elementary · Cartwright Elementary District (4282) | PK–06 | 629 | 1.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Manuel Pena Jr. School
What grades does Manuel Pena Jr. School serve?
Manuel Pena Jr. School reports grades PK–06 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Cartwright Elementary District (4282).
How many students attend Manuel Pena Jr. School?
Manuel Pena Jr. School reported 806 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 90th percentile among 1,189 Arizona elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 777 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Manuel Pena Jr. School?
The calculated ratio is 19.1:1, based on 806 students and 42.17 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Arizona median for the same school level is 16.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Manuel Pena Jr. School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Manuel Pena Jr. School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Cartwright Elementary District (4282) attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
Which school district is Manuel Pena Jr. School in?
Manuel Pena Jr. School is part of Cartwright Elementary District (4282), based in Phoenix, AZ, which operates 23 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Manuel Pena Jr. School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Amberlea Elementary School (0.6 mi), Starlight Park College Preparatory and Community School (0.8 mi), Peralta School (1 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.