Very Good
#141 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 11% in state
Penn Elementary School
Elementary School · Iowa City Comm School District
PO BOX 9 230 N Dubuque St, North Liberty, IA 52317
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Liberty
#1 of 7
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#105 of 662
In district
#2 of 29
Iowa City Comm School District
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Penn Elementary School
Penn Elementary School serves 560 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in North Liberty, Iowa. With 33 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 17:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful student-teacher interactions. Academically, Penn Elementary performs well above state averages, earning a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #237 out of 1,288 Iowa elementary schools, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide.
The school demonstrates strong academic achievement with 82% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while an impressive 83% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's solid commitment to student learning and achievement. The school operates as a regular public elementary school, serving families in Johnson County's growing North Liberty community.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects an educated and economically stable population, with 56% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $102,809. The area's low poverty rate of 4.4% contributes to a supportive educational environment. Penn Elementary School is situated in North Liberty's mid-size suburban setting, providing students with a blend of small-town community feel and access to broader educational and cultural opportunities in the growing Iowa corridor.
Score Breakdown
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Penn Elementary School — Students at Penn Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.2/10.
How Penn Elementary School Compares
See how Penn Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 76% (2019) to 83% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 82% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 9 230 N Dubuque St, North Liberty, IA 52317
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penn Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY (rated 7.4/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Coralville), with a comparable rating. Another option is Wickham Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Coralville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Oak Hill Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Tiffin), a more accessible option. For more schools in North Liberty, see our North Liberty schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Buford Garner Elementary North Liberty | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Liberty | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Christine Grant Elementary North Liberty | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| James Van Allen Elementary School North Liberty | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| North Central Junior High School North Liberty | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Liberty High School North Liberty | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| North Bend Elementary North Liberty | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| PURPLE BLOOM SCHOOL LLC Coralville | 3.1 mi | — |
| Wickham Elementary Coralville | 3.0 mi | 7.3 |
| HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Coralville | 4.0 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville | 4.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Tiffin | 3.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Kirkwood Elementary School Coralville | 4.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Tiffin Elementary Tiffin | 3.8 mi | 3.1 |
| Northwest Junior High School Coralville | 4.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Central Elementary School Coralville | 5.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Norman Borlaug Elementary School Coralville | 5.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Clear Creek Amana Middle School Tiffin | 4.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Clear Creek Amana High School Tiffin | 5.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City | 6.0 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52317 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,156
Median Home Value
$314,700
Median Rent
$1,221/mo
Population
22,392
College Educated
54.1%
Homeownership
70.1%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Median Age
32.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penn Elementary School has a median household income of $108,156. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $314,700, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Cornell Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 7.9 |
| Eagle Heights Elementary School Clinton, IA | 7.9 |
| Hoover Elementary School Council Bluffs, IA | 7.9 |
| Novak Elementary School Marion, IA | 7.9 |
| Orange Elementary School Waterloo, IA | 7.9 |
| South Hamilton Elem Jewell, IA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penn Elementary School
What grades does Penn Elementary School serve?
Penn Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Penn Elementary School?
Penn Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 560 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penn Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Penn Elementary School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penn Elementary School rank in IA?
Penn Elementary School is ranked #141 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Penn Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penn Elementary School has 82.5% math proficiency and 82.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penn Elementary School a charter school?
No, Penn Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penn Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Penn Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penn Elementary School?
13.2% of students at Penn Elementary School 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (North Liberty). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 560
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Johnson County
- Phone
- (319) 688-1150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Iowa City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 14,776
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,391
- District Rank
- #2 of 29
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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