Very Good
#3348 of 9,539 schools in CA
Top 35% in state
Penn Elementary
Elementary School · San Diego Unified
2797 Utica Dr., San Diego, CA 92139
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
22.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#3,348 of 9,539
In San Diego
#146 of 288
public schools
In district
#91 of 174
San Diego Unified
Equity
8.5 / 10
Excellent
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Penn Elementary
Elementary School in San Diego · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
San Diego Scpa
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pacific View Leadership Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Penn Elementary
Penn Elementary is a public elementary school in San Diego, CA, part of San Diego Unified. Penn Elementary serves approximately 380 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 22.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Penn Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #3,348 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Penn Elementary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 6.9
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Penn Elementary runs 22.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
45% of students at Penn Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Penn Elementary — Students at Penn Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.
How Penn Elementary Compares
See how Penn Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2797 Utica Dr., San Diego, CA 92139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penn Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clear View (rated 8.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Chula Vista), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bethune K-8 (rated 8.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Allen (Ella B.) Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Bonita), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in San Diego, see our San Diego schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego SCPA San Diego | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Pacific View Leadership Elementary San Diego | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Zamorano Elementary San Diego | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Valley Vista Elementary Bonita | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Bethune K-8 San Diego | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Perry Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Bell Middle San Diego | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Paradise Hills Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 3.0 |
| MONTESSORI AMERICAN SCHOOL Chula Vista | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Allen (Ella B.) Elementary Bonita | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Boone Elementary San Diego | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| BONITA LEARNING ACADEMY Chula Vista | 1.7 mi | — |
| Altus Schools South Bay Chula Vista | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Granger Junior High National City | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Morse High San Diego | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Fulton K-8 San Diego | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Ira Harbison National City | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Clear View Chula Vista | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Lincoln Acres National City | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Palmer Way National City | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92139 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$92,381
Median Home Value
$598,500
Median Rent
$2,107/mo
Population
34,780
College Educated
25.1%
Homeownership
60.2%
Avg Commute
28.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
36.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alexander Rose Elementary Milpitas, CA | 7.1 |
| Armstrong Elementary Diamond Bar, CA | 7.1 |
| Aromas Aromas, CA | 7.1 |
| Arroyo Seco Museum Science Los Angeles, CA | 7.1 |
| Arroyo Vista Elementary Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 7.1 |
| Arroyo West Elementary Moorpark, CA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penn Elementary
What grades does Penn Elementary serve?
Penn Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Penn Elementary?
Penn Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 380 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penn Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Penn Elementary is 22.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penn Elementary rank in CA?
Penn Elementary ranks #3,348 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Penn Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Penn Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Penn Elementary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Penn Elementary a charter school?
No, Penn Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penn Elementary a Title I school?
No, Penn Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penn Elementary?
75.8% of students at Penn Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 380
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 44.7%
- Phone
- (619) 430-1700
Resources & Links
District
San Diego Unified- District Enrollment
- 95,492
- Schools in District
- 175
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,828
- District Rank
- #91 of 174
Other Schools in This District
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