Manzanita School

Summary:

Manzanita School is an exceptional elementary school located in Tucson, Arizona, serving 595 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. As part of the Catalina Foothills Unified District, which is ranked 42 out of 288 districts in the state, Manzanita School consistently outperforms the state and district averages in academic proficiency across various subjects and grade levels.

In the 2023-2024 school year, Manzanita School's academic performance was exceptional, with 72% of 3rd graders, 76% of 4th graders, and 61% of 5th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state averages of 39%, 46%, and 38%, respectively. Similarly, the school's mathematics proficiency rates were significantly higher than the state and district averages. Manzanita School's strong academic performance is reflected in its statewide ranking, consistently placing in the top 10-15% of Arizona elementary schools, earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger in the 2023-2024 school year.

Interestingly, Manzanita School's academic excellence is not limited to its overall performance; the school also demonstrates strong performance across various student subgroups, ranking in the top 10-15% for White, Hispanic, and multi-racial students, as well as in the top 20% for female and male students. Additionally, the school has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 7.73% in the 2022-2023 school year, suggesting a higher socioeconomic status of the student population compared to nearby schools, such as Ventana Vista Elementary School and Sunrise Drive Elementary School, which have higher percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.


Detail:

Public K-5

 3000 E Manzanita Ave
       Tucson, AZ  85718-1224


(520) 209-7800

District: Catalina Foothills Unified District

SchoolDigger Rank:
139th of 904 Arizona Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,434 Help


Students who attend Manzanita School usually attend:

Middle:    Orange Grove Middle School
High:    Catalina Foothills High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.6 Help
Number of students:  595

Racial breakdown:

White:
60.3%
Hispanic:
28.7%
Two or more races:
6.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  7.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Manzanita School ranks better than 84.6% of elementary schools in Arizona. It also ranks last among 4 ranked elementary schools in the Catalina Foothills Unified District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 83.72. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Manzanita School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Catalina Foothills Unified District. Racial makeup is: White (60.3%), Hispanic (28.7%), two or more races (6.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 7.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Catalina Foothills Unified District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Manzanita School is 14.6. 2 elementary schools in the Catalina Foothills Unified District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Manzanita School employs 40.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Manzanita School is $8,434, which is the lowest among 4 elementary schools in the Catalina Foothills Unified District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Manzanita School:

SchoolDigger ranks Manzanita School 139th of 904 Arizona public elementary schools. (See Manzanita School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Catalina Foothills Unified District:

SchoolDigger ranks Catalina Foothills Unified District 42nd of 288 Arizona school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Manzanita School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 90.58 37th 1062 96.5%
2010 93.25 23rd 1090 97.9%
2011 92.38 29th 1075 97.3%
2012 89.25 37th 1141 96.8%
2013 89.80 39th 1158 96.6%
2014 92.43 35th 1079 96.8%
2015 89.28 79th 955 91.7%
2016 91.46 74th 1079 93.1%
2017 87.04 134th 1106 87.9%
2018 92.20 75th 1109 93.2%
2019 90.06 79th 1039 92.4%
2021 94.15 57th 1226 95.4%
2022 84.35 110th 1000 89.0%
2023 91.50 91st 1245 92.7%
2024 83.72 139th 904 84.6%
See the entire list of Arizona Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 83.92 55th 1027 94.6%
2022 71.25 85th 444 80.9%
2023 78.75 66th 617 89.3%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 52.32 164th 451 63.6%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 70.92 147th 1201 87.8%
2023 61.51 206th 820 74.9%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.82 241st 820 70.6%
2023 71.20 215th 1116 80.7%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.30 89th 1023 91.3%
2019 85.18 87th 862 89.9%
2021 89.86 99th 1219 91.9%
2022 78.36 128th 824 84.5%
2023 87.99 122nd 1219 90.0%
2024 74.74 115th 593 80.6%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 74.81 32nd 239 86.6%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.28 73rd 1032 92.9%
2019 87.56 75th 850 91.2%
2021 94.70 41st 1220 96.6%
2022 80.09 115th 830 86.1%
2023 92.47 68th 1216 94.4%
2024 70.80 152nd 609 75.0%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 79.58 54th 620 91.3%
2022 71.62 63rd 270 76.7%
2023 57.41 118th 316 62.7%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 85.29 97th 911 89.4%
2019 89.07 52nd 709 92.7%
2021 91.21 54th 1198 95.5%
2022 74.18 158th 716 77.9%
2023 83.15 135th 1170 88.5%
2024 76.86 95th 472 79.9%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Manzanita School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AZ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.12 86th 720 88.1%
2019 78.70 86th 595 85.5%
2021 86.44 79th 1161 93.2%
2022 74.24 140th 800 82.5%
2023 87.23 71st 1024 93.1%
2024 71.38 112th 477 76.5%
See the entire list of Best Arizona Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Arizona Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Manzanita School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Arizona Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)
25%

0%

0%

0%

75%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Open Quote Dishonest, unprofessional, incompetent, and unethical school principal and psychologist at Manzanita. I have experienced their negligence first hand and have observed their retaliation towards parents initiating due process. They will be reported to state and feds as these clowns should not be receiving any federal funds. Kindergarten teacher allowed my son to be choked in the classroom, while 1st grade teacher was deceitful and lied on my child’s educational records. The worst administration and by far the worst level of leadership across this school I’ve ever witnessed in my entire experience working in any school system. They are unethical and have no issues with your child being choked in a classroom either ! They’ll never tell you but your own child will report it to you! Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Open Quote Our son has experienced borderline abusive, at best negligent, behavior from some of his past teachers in this school.

His first-grade teacher, for example, berated him regularly, made sarcastic, personal remarks to him frequently, and catastrophized minor behavioral incidents. She also displayed retaliatory behavior by not allowing him to go to the restroom in response to our complaints that he had been physically bullied when going to the restroom unattended. He wet his pants in class due to her not letting him use the restroom all day.

The larger concern is that administration is entirely non-responsive when complaints are filed. I have seen this sort of good-ol-boy, protect-our-own mentality run rampant before. I recognize it immediately as a problem at this school. They have a facade to uphold in order to protect their image above all else, regardless of the impact on the students and their well-being.

It is hit-and-miss at best with teachers. The administration, however, is out of touch and frighteningly unconcerned with valid, serious complaints against their staff. They are quick to deflect blame, and take zero accountability or ownership of what goes on in their school. Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Open Quote Having come from a background in education, I am deeply concerned with what I have seen in this school over the past few years. The administration is more concerned with upholding a certain image than they are improving the quality of their education and staff.

In the most recent example of administrative incompetence, the police were called on my 7-year-old without us being notified. He was interrogated until he was crying without us present. According to one of the school's administrators, they had been having problems over the past few days with him "pinching kids' butts" and rough-housing. We were not notified of this, although we were in consistent email communication with that administrator throughout this time period. Without notifying us, the decision was made to file an incident report and have an officer come to 'make an impression'. Now my 7-year-old son is on record with the Sherrif's department for the above.

This is an example of the Manzanita adminstration's idea of "parent-teacher partnership".

Not only was this traumatic, it was also retaliatory - The administration was retaliating, I believe, because over several days leading up to this I had been voicing my concerns regarding members of their staff, as well as administration's failure to handle situations appropriately.

Our child goofs off from time to time, like most little boys, but this school has succeeded in potentially criminalizing a 7-year-old for horseplay, as well is doing real damage to his self-image through the teachers' and administrations' belittling, neglect and failure to appropriately handle valid concerns with their policy, procedure, and staff. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Manzanita School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 671 6 37 26 0 n/a n/a -214 526
1989 474 3 28 34 0 n/a n/a 59 598
1990 562 3 19 29 n/a n/a n/a -16 597
1991 554 4 24 31 0 n/a n/a -56 557
1992 557 3 27 27 4 n/a n/a 0 618
1993 585 4 41 36 0 n/a n/a 0 666
1994 577 4 37 37 1 n/a n/a 0 656
1995 552 5 33 29 0 n/a n/a 0 619
1996 552 5 33 29 0 n/a n/a 0 619
1997 534 5 29 40 0 n/a n/a 0 608
1998 510 5 30 37 0 n/a n/a 0 582
1999 503 9 33 33 0 n/a n/a 0 578
2000 489 5 36 37 1 n/a n/a 0 568
2001 439 4 30 35 1 n/a n/a 0 509
2002 427 8 34 48 2 n/a n/a 0 519
2003 427 8 34 48 2 n/a n/a 0 519
2004 422 8 38 47 4 n/a n/a 0 519
2005 373 3 43 50 4 n/a n/a 0 473
2006 364 4 48 50 4 n/a n/a 0 470
2007 354 4 54 51 4 n/a n/a 0 467
2008 336 5 54 57 1 n/a n/a 0 453
2009 345 5 62 72 0 n/a n/a 0 484
2010 398 8 70 95 1 n/a n/a 0 572
2011 379 8 81 113 1 1 14 0 597
2012 412 6 77 125 1 0 12 0 633
2013 429 4 77 124 1 0 13 0 648
2014 416 10 81 137 0 0 18 0 662
2015 409 7 55 128 1 1 20 0 621
2016 406 4 47 122 0 2 28 0 609
2017 397 6 36 133 0 4 27 0 603
2018 374 6 39 136 0 2 35 0 592
2019 390 6 35 134 0 2 33 0 600
2020 405 5 26 152 1 2 34 0 625
2021 362 5 24 148 1 1 42 0 583
2022 353 5 24 181 2 1 42 0 608
2023 359 3 19 171 2 1 40 0 595

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Manzanita School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 526 30.5 17.2 n/a
1989 598 34.5 17.3 n/a
1990 597 35.6 16.7 n/a
1991 557 29.5 18.8 n/a
1992 618 31.9 19.3 n/a
1993 666 35.4 18.8 n/a
1994 656 36.2 18.1 n/a
1995 619 34.1 18.2 n/a
1996 619 34.1 18.2 n/a
1997 608 32.4 18.8 n/a
1998 582 31.1 18.7 n/a
1999 578 26.2 22.1 n/a
2000 568 23.8 23.9 n/a
2001 509 29.1 17.5 n/a
2002 519 31.2 16.6 n/a
2003 519 31.2 16.6 n/a
2004 519 31.2 16.6 4
2005 473 29.3 16.1 5.5
2006 470 28.3 16.6 4.3
2007 467 30.0 15.6 8.6
2008 453 31.7 14.3 1.8
2009 484 31.7 15.3 4.1
2010 572 33.4 17.1 4.4
2011 597 31.9 18.7 6.2
2012 633 33.8 18.7 8.5
2013 648 33.9 19.1 8.2
2014 662 33.8 19.5 n/a
2015 621 33.0 18.8 9.5
2016 609 33.0 18.4 8.9
2017 603 32.1 18.7 10.6
2018 592 33.4 17.6 8.8
2019 600 32.8 18.2 9
2020 625 32.2 19.3 7.8
2021 583 33.8 17.2 n/a
2022 608 34.9 17.3 4.3
2023 595 40.6 14.6 7.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Manzanita School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 526 30.5 17.2 n/a
1989 598 34.5 17.3 n/a
1990 597 35.6 16.7 n/a
1991 557 29.5 18.8 n/a
1992 618 31.9 19.3 n/a
1993 666 35.4 18.8 n/a
1994 656 36.2 18.1 n/a
1995 619 34.1 18.2 n/a
1996 619 34.1 18.2 n/a
1997 608 32.4 18.8 n/a
1998 582 31.1 18.7 n/a
1999 578 26.2 22.1 n/a
2000 568 23.8 23.9 n/a
2001 509 29.1 17.5 n/a
2002 519 31.2 16.6 n/a
2003 519 31.2 16.6 n/a
2004 519 31.2 16.6 4
2005 473 29.3 16.1 5.5
2006 470 28.3 16.6 4.3
2007 467 30.0 15.6 8.6
2008 453 31.7 14.3 1.8
2009 484 31.7 15.3 4.1
2010 572 33.4 17.1 4.4
2011 597 31.9 18.7 6.2
2012 633 33.8 18.7 8.5
2013 648 33.9 19.1 8.2
2014 662 33.8 19.5 n/a
2015 621 33.0 18.8 9.5
2016 609 33.0 18.4 8.9
2017 603 32.1 18.7 10.6
2018 592 33.4 17.6 8.8
2019 600 32.8 18.2 9
2020 625 32.2 19.3 7.8
2021 583 33.8 17.2 n/a
2022 608 34.9 17.3 4.3
2023 595 40.6 14.6 7.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Manzanita School

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $124 (1.7%) $66 (0.9%) $314 (4.3%) $6,079 (83.7%) $995 (13.7%) $7,074 (97.4%) $7,264
2020 $117 (1.7%) $37 (0.5%) $272 (4.0%) $5,402 (80.0%) $1,193 (17.7%) $6,595 (97.7%) $6,749
2021 $151 (1.9%) $220 (2.7%) $522 (6.5%) $6,375 (78.8%) $1,345 (16.6%) $7,720 (95.4%) $8,091
2022 $142 (1.7%) $604 (7.2%) $889 (10.5%) $6,173 (73.2%) $1,514 (18.0%) $7,688 (91.2%) $8,434

Data source: Arizona Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Manzanita School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 79th of 1039 Elementary schoolsRanks 91st of 1245 Elementary schools
 0.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students600595
 0.8%
African American63
 50%
American Indian02
Asian3519
 45.7%
Hispanic134171
 27.6%
Pacific Islander21
 50%
White390359
 7.9%
Two or More Races3340
 21.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients9%7.7%
 1.3%


Schools Near Manzanita School









Frequently Asked Questions about Manzanita School

Manzanita School ranks 139th of 904 Arizona elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Manzanita School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Orange Grove Middle School
High : Catalina Foothills High School

Students at Manzanita School are 60% White, 29% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 595 students attended Manzanita School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arizona Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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