Pensar Academy

Pensar Academy is the sole public charter middle school serving grades 4-8 in Litchfield Park, Arizona. With a total enrollment of 205 students, the school has a diverse student population, with a majority of Hispanic students (71.22%) and significant representation from other racial/ethnic groups. Academically, Pensar Academy's performance is mixed, with stronger proficiency rates in English Language Arts compared to state averages, but lower performance in Mathematics. The school also serves a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with 97.56% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

Pensar Academy's academic performance, as measured by state assessments, varies across subject areas. In English Language Arts, the school's proficiency rates range from 26% to 50%, generally higher than the state averages. However, in Mathematics, the proficiency rates range from 19% to 35%, mostly lower than the state averages. In Science, Pensar Academy's proficiency rates are 36% for 5th grade and 41% for 8th grade, which are higher than the state averages.

The school's overall performance and ranking among Arizona middle schools have fluctuated in recent years, with its statewide ranking ranging from 291 out of 533 schools in 2023-2024 to 383 out of 832 schools in 2020-2021. Similarly, Pensar Academy's SchoolDigger rating has varied, ranging from 2 stars out of 5 in 2023-2024 to 3 stars out of 5 in 2022-2023 and 2020-2021. These changes suggest the school's performance may be inconsistent or variable over time, and further analysis would be needed to understand the factors contributing to these fluctuations.