Below Average
#8764 of 9,533 schools in CA
William Penn Elementary
Elementary School · Bakersfield City
2201 San Emidio St., Bakersfield, CA 93304
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bakersfield
#128 of 145
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,234 of 5,817
In district
#41 of 44
Bakersfield City
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About William Penn Elementary
William Penn Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Bakersfield, California, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 255 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that can facilitate more individualized attention. The dedicated team of 14 full-time equivalent teachers works to ensure each child receives the support they need.
William Penn Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and is ranked at #8264 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 14th percentile for academic performance. In reading and ELA, 29% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 21% reach proficiency levels. These scores suggest there is room for improvement but also highlight areas where the school can focus on student development.
Located in a large city setting, William Penn Elementary serves a diverse community within Bakersfield. The school aims to provide a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages learning and growth for all its students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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William Penn Elementary — Students at William Penn Elementary score 21% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 1.6/10.
How William Penn Elementary Compares
See how William Penn Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 19.23% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 23.26% (2024).
Location
2201 San Emidio St., Bakersfield, CA 93304
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William Penn Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Munsey Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is STOCKDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rafer Johnson (rated 5.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bakersfield, see our Bakersfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| St. Francis Bakersfield | 0.3 mi | — |
| Bakersfield High Bakersfield | 0.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Franklin Elementary Bakersfield | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Bakersfield | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Kern County Special Education Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Kern County Community Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Kern County Juvenile Court Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Rafer Johnson Bakersfield | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| AGAPELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bakersfield | 0.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Downtown Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Emerson Middle Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Caroline Harris Elementary Bakersfield | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| McKinley Elementary Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Vista Continuation High Bakersfield | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Evergreen Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Munsey Elementary Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Sequoia Jr. High Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 4.4 |
| STOCKDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bakersfield | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Valley Oaks Charter Bakersfield | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Oppimista School Bakersfield | 1.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,627
Median Home Value
$228,800
Median Rent
$1,141/mo
Population
51,457
College Educated
11.1%
Homeownership
43.5%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
27.4%
Median Age
29.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding William Penn Elementary has a median household income of $51,627. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,800, with a median rent of $1,141/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bakersfield, CA | 4.1 |
| Chavez Elementary Long Beach, CA | 4.1 |
| Cinnabar Charter Petaluma, CA | 4.1 |
| Delta Elementary Charter Clarksburg, CA | 4.1 |
| Federal Terrace Elementary Vallejo, CA | 4.1 |
| Juarez Elementary San Diego, CA | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William Penn Elementary
What grades does William Penn Elementary serve?
William Penn Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend William Penn Elementary?
William Penn Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William Penn Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at William Penn Elementary is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William Penn Elementary rank in CA?
William Penn Elementary is ranked #8764 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is William Penn Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
William Penn Elementary has a composite rating of 4.1 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 William Penn Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William Penn Elementary has 21.2% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William Penn Elementary a charter school?
No, William Penn Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William Penn Elementary a Title I school?
No, William Penn Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William Penn Elementary?
98.4% of students at William 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,028/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bakersfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 255
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Kern County
- Phone
- (661) 631-5440
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bakersfield City- District Enrollment
- 28,761
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,155
- District Rank
- #41 of 44
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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