Average
#2345 of 3,813 schools in IL
Penn Elem School
Elementary School · Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
1616 S Avers Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Enrollment
213
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
213
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chicago
#427 of 629
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,415 of 2,326
In district
#422 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Penn Elem School
Penn Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Chicago, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Penn Elem has an enrollment of 213 students and employs 22 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1. The school's location within the heart of a large city offers unique opportunities for community engagement and cultural exploration.
Academically, Penn Elem School is currently ranked at #3598 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, placing it in the 6th percentile. The MySchoolScout rating reflects an overall score of 3.2/10 and a specific academic performance score of 1.1/10, indicating areas where there is room for growth in ELA and math proficiency rates at 6% and 7%, respectively. Penn Elem School is situated in a bustling urban environment that provides students with diverse experiences and resources beyond the classroom.
Despite its challenges, the school continues to serve as an integral part of the community, fostering a supportive atmosphere for learning and development.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Penn Elem School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Penn Elem School — Students at Penn Elem School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.8/10.
How Penn Elem School Compares
See how Penn Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
1616 S Avers Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penn Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lawndale Elem Community Academy (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crown Elem Comm Acd Fine Arts Ctr (rated 7.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch (rated 7.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Chicago, see our Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| KIPP Chicago Chrtrs - Ascend Acad Chicago | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Herzl Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| YCCS-CCA Academy HS Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| CHICAGO WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Mason Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Frazier Perspectives Magnet ES Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Lawndale Elem Community Academy Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Hughes C Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Crown Elem Comm Acd Fine Arts Ctr Chicago | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Cardenas Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Gregory Math & Sci Elem Academy Chicago | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Webster Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| North Lawndale Prep Chtr - Christ Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Legacy Elem Charter School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| GREATER ROCK GIFTED LEARNING ACADEMY Chicago | 0.9 mi | — |
| LEARN Chtr - Butler Chicago | 0.8 mi | 3.5 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Little Village Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Noble St Chtr-DRW Trading Col Chicago | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60623 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,040
Median Home Value
$221,400
Median Rent
$1,054/mo
Population
77,061
College Educated
13.7%
Homeownership
38.4%
Avg Commute
32.4 min
Poverty Rate
24.7%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penn Elem School has a median household income of $44,040. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,400, with a median rent of $1,054/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Acero Chtr - Rufino Tamayo Elem Chicago, IL | 5.8 |
| Blackstone Elem School Mendota, IL | 5.8 |
| CICS - Bond Campus Chicago, IL | 5.8 |
| Eunice Smith Elem School Alton, IL | 5.8 |
| Field Elementary School Texico, IL | 5.8 |
| Illini Central Grade School Mason City, IL | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penn Elem School
What grades does Penn Elem School serve?
Penn Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Penn Elem School?
Penn Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 213 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penn Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Penn Elem School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penn Elem School rank in IL?
Penn Elem School is ranked #2345 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Penn Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn Elem School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penn Elem School has 7.3% math proficiency and 5.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penn Elem School a charter school?
No, Penn Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penn Elem School a Title I school?
No, Penn Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penn Elem School?
95.3% of students at Penn Elem 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
- City Safety
- High (4,030/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chicago). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 213
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Cook County
- Phone
- (773) 534-1665
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #422 of 621
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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