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Excellent

#1255 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 13% in state

Penn Elementary

Elementary School · San Diego Unified

2797 Utica Dr., San Diego, CA 92139

Enrollment

380

Student-Teacher

22.4:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In San Diego

#41 of 288

public schools

California elementary schools

#903 of 5,817

In district

#28 of 174

San Diego Unified

Equity

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Penn Elementary

Penn Elementary serves 380 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in San Diego, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 22.4 to 1 supported by 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 78th percentile statewide, placing it at #2126 among California's 9566 elementary schools. Academically, Penn Elementary shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 54% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels, while math scores indicate room for growth with 41% of students meeting proficiency standards.

These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic improvement. The school serves families in the 92139 zip code area, where the median household income is $87,463 and median home values reach $567,600. The community maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 8.3%, though with 23% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, there's a mix of educational backgrounds among families.

Penn Elementary operates within San Diego's large urban environment, providing neighborhood elementary education in a diverse metropolitan setting.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Penn Elementary is 22.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.4%
Math vs. State Avg-5.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+15.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,711

Penn Elementary — Students at Penn Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.1%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 53.6%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
40.9%
ELA
54%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.

How Penn Elementary Compares

See how Penn Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
87th percentile in CA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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. Ira Harbison (rated 8.1/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby National City), with a very similar rating. Another option is Zamorano Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bethune K-8 (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 6.2
Pacific View Leadership Elementary San Diego 0.6 mi 4.0
Zamorano Elementary San Diego 0.7 mi 7.6
Valley Vista Elementary Bonita 1.0 mi 6.3
Bethune K-8 San Diego 1.1 mi 7.1
Perry Elementary San Diego 1.1 mi 6.3
Bell Middle San Diego 1.1 mi 5.7
Paradise Hills Elementary San Diego 1.2 mi 3.3
MONTESSORI AMERICAN SCHOOL Chula Vista 1.5 mi 7.0
Allen (Ella B.) Elementary Bonita 1.4 mi 6.1
Boone Elementary San Diego 1.6 mi 4.6
BONITA LEARNING ACADEMY Chula Vista 1.7 mi
Altus Schools South Bay Chula Vista 1.8 mi 3.4
Granger Junior High National City 1.5 mi 6.6
Morse High San Diego 1.9 mi 6.5
Fulton K-8 San Diego 2.0 mi 5.4
Ira Harbison National City 1.7 mi 8.1
Clear View Chula Vista 2.0 mi 6.9
Lincoln Acres National City 1.7 mi 4.3
Palmer Way National City 1.7 mi 5.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Penn Elementary has a median household income of $92,381. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $598,500, with a median rent of $2,107/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Addison Elementary Palo Alto, CA 8.1
Aloha Elementary Lakewood, CA 8.1
Altadena Elementary Altadena, CA 8.1
Alvarado Elementary Signal Hill, CA 8.1
Aptitud Community Academy at Goss San Jose, CA 8.1
Bell Hill Academy Grass Valley, CA 8.1

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 is ranked #1255 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Penn Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Penn Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Penn Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penn Elementary has 41.1% math proficiency and 53.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,092/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (San Diego). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

San Diego Unified
District Enrollment
95,492
Schools in District
175
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,828
District Rank
#28 of 174

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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