Manuel Pena Jr. School
Phoenix, AZ 85035
Phone: (623) 691-3100
Fax: (623) 691-3120
District: Cartwright Elementary District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades PK,KG,1,2,3,4,5,6,UG • 800 students
Manuel Pena Jr. School, a public school located in Phoenix, AZ, serves grades PK-6 & Ungraded in the Cartwright Elementary District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Manuel Pena Jr. School is a public school located in Phoenix, AZ. 800 students attend Manuel Pena Jr. School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 2/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Arizona Academic Standards Assessment data from Arizona Department of Education, and using 2025 Arizona Science Field Test data from Arizona Department of Education. |
| Student Growth | 8/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Arizona Department of Education. |
Posted: September 18, 2025
This school has the worst staff .the principal is bias and does not go by district rules he is unprofessional, talks, mocks parents judges people by appearance. I say this cause this was my first encounter with principal. I was embarrassed, threatened and he had a bad temper we could not communicate with him as adults, parents defend your children in this school, listen to your children take.notes time date. this school is not recommended, check school rating
Posted: September 18, 2025
Posted: September 18, 2025
Posted: September 18, 2025
Posted: September 18, 2025
Posted: September 18, 2025
Posted: September 18, 2025
Posted: August 28, 2024
Posted: August 28, 2024
Posted: August 28, 2024
Posted: August 28, 2024
Posted: August 28, 2024
Posted: August 28, 2024
Posted: August 28, 2024
Per previous Poster, I share the same sentiments in regards to the schoolss staff, but I would say for the most part the Principal takes the reward. He hides it so well too. Some volunteer staff, particularly a group of Moms whom for the most part got away with disobeying school rules run the place, while other parents got yelled at and where under scrutiny. Not surprised children behave the way they do at this school and some children get away with misbehavior and others dont. My children begged me to pull them out of this school. They saw it all and were burnt out! They create Cliques, like for example, MEAN GIRLS who spend the majority of their time bad mouthing and talking down on others Moms and children. I am disgusted with how long this behavior has been going on. The word to sum up all up would be segregation and classism Please do your thoroughly research and look for schools elsewhere. This school is overcrowded and they cannot ensure your childs safety while crossing the streets. Something is definitely going on in this school. We walked on eggshells the entire time the kids where enrolled here. Some teachers lose their temper over the smallest things with some kids while others get away with the same behavior. its no surprise the children behave the way they do. The schools claim they have a low tolerance for bullying however, their is plenty of opportunity for it to take place.
Posted: March 20, 2023
This school is lead by ego driven staff that prey on the students. From the principal down to the lunch time security guard & traffic monitors. Intellectual , outgoing, above average children are being held back due to the staff allowing favoritism and lies to separate students. Children are turned against one another at the hands of staff and overall the rating definitely coincides with the experience. I would not recommend this school if you have bright, thriving, young children because the lack of attention given to children who are above average in this establishment is disgusting. I also wouldnt recommend this school for ANY child that does not fit the majority demographic. 0/10 should be its rating & the whole school should be placed under review immediately for its lack of safety and biased procedures.
Posted: March 20, 2023
Posted: March 20, 2023
Posted: March 20, 2023
Posted: March 20, 2023
Posted: March 20, 2023
Posted: March 20, 2023
Posted: March 20, 2023
Posted: November 20, 2017
Posted: November 20, 2017
Posted: November 20, 2017
Posted: November 20, 2017
Posted: November 20, 2017
Posted: November 20, 2017
Posted: November 20, 2017
I've went to this school as a student and went back there after high school. My sister went to this school for awhile before being transferred to a school near our home. I must say that it has changed and it seems good. The teachers are motivating, supportive, and nice when they are teaching. Though "bullying" should be enforced some more.
An they're fairly doing their best to improve the learning of the students. Especially their reading, they plan activities and do group work.
Posted: March 14, 2013
Not good, Not the worst. The teachers I have met in this school have been fairly nice. My son's teacher last year however did play "favorites" with some of her students and made it clear that she didn't like my son. My son was bullied a lot in kindergarten here. His teacher this year is struggling to help him because of the curriculum the school district has forced her to use. His teacher has spent much of her personal money and time to help her students; it seems that the school doesn't appreciate or care about their teachers. It seems very under-funded.
Posted: March 19, 2012
We recently moved here from CA and my daughter had attended 3/4 of the school year there, yet my new school district didn't want to accept her as a Kindergartener and denied her the right to finish the school year because she turned 5 in OCT vs. AUG... This Principle and district was the only one that had my daughters best interest at heart and allowed her to enroll and finish the school year in order to move on to 1st Grade... THANK YOU, Very Understanding!!!
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Del Mar Terrace Apartments | Apartment Complex | Phoenix | AZ | 1.7 mi | |
| 2 | Crystal Springs Apartments | Apartment Complex | Avondale | AZ | 4.9 mi | |
| 3 | Palm Valley Luxury Apartments | Apartment Complex | Goodyear | AZ | 7.2 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Luke AFB | 9 mi. |
