Don Benito Fundamental

donbenito.pusd.us

384 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Don Benito Fundamental School, located in East Pasadena, is a public elementary school serving students from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Pasadena Unified School District. As a "fundamental" school, the institution emphasizes a structured academic environment with a strong focus on core curriculum, consistent homework policies, and high expectations for student behavior. The school is known for fostering a close-knit community atmosphere where parental involvement is highly encouraged and considered a cornerstone of the students' academic success.

The school’s mission centers on developing well-rounded students by balancing rigorous traditional academics with a variety of enrichment opportunities. Beyond the classroom, Don Benito offers programs that often include visual and performing arts, technology integration, and physical education, all designed to support the "whole child." With a dedicated teaching staff and an active PTA, the school maintains a reputation for stability and academic excellence, aiming to prepare its diverse student body for middle school and beyond.

384

Total Students

17.0

Full-Time Teachers

22.6

Student/Teacher Ratio

48.2%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Don Benito Fundamental
Demographic	Student Count
White	97
Hispanic	187
Black	34
Asian	25
Two or More	39
American Indian	1

Hispanic
187 (48.8%)
White
97 (25.3%)
Two or More
39 (10.2%)
Black
34 (8.9%)
Asian
25 (6.5%)
American Indian
1 (0.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Pasadena Unified
Phone:	(626)396-5870
Website:	http://donbenito.pusd.us
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	384
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	17.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	22.6
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	148
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	37

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 97

Grade 1 50

Grade 2 49

Grade 3 53

Grade 4 73

Grade 5 62