Manuel Pena Jr. School

2550 North 79th Avenue

School District

Cartwright Elementary District
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Cartwright Elementary District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 28, 2024

Per previous Poster, I share the same sentiments in regards to the schools’s 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 don’t. 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 child’s 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.
Submitted by parent on 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 wouldn’t 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.
Submitted by other on 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.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 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.
Submitted by parent on March 20, 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!!!