Average
#2239 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
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#2,239 of 3,813
In Chicago
#347 of 630
public schools
In district
#340 of 621
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299
School environment
7.1 / 10
Very Good
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Penn Elem School
Elementary School in Chicago · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Kipp Chicago Chrtrs - Ascend Acad
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Herzl Elem School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Penn Elem School
Penn Elem School is a public elementary school in Chicago, IL, part of Chicago Public Schools Dist 299. Penn Elem School serves approximately 213 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Penn Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,239 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Penn Elem School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.8 · Average
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Penn Elem School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
At 9.7:1 students to teachers, Penn Elem School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
45% of students at Penn Elem School 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 Elem School — Students at Penn Elem School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
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 27 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: 6.6/10.
How Penn Elem School Compares
See how Penn Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. KIPP Chicago Chrtrs - Ascend Acad (rated 7.7/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cardenas Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEARN Chtr - Butler (rated 6.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 7.7 |
| Herzl Elem School Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago | 0.3 mi | 6.0 |
| YCCS-CCA Academy HS Chicago | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| CHICAGO WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Mason Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Frazier Perspectives Magnet ES Chicago | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Lawndale Elem Community Academy Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Hughes C Elem School Chicago | 0.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Crown Elem Comm Acd Fine Arts Ctr Chicago | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Cardenas Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Gregory Math & Sci Elem Academy Chicago | 0.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Webster Elem School Chicago | 0.8 mi | 3.8 |
| North Lawndale Prep Chtr - Christ Chicago | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Legacy Elem Charter School Chicago | 0.7 mi | 2.8 |
| GREATER ROCK GIFTED LEARNING ACADEMY Chicago | 0.9 mi | — |
| LEARN Chtr - Butler Chicago | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Chicago | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Little Village Elem School Chicago | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Noble St Chtr-DRW Trading Col Chicago | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alden Hebron Elem School Hebron, IL | 5.8 |
| Cairo Elementary School Cairo, IL | 5.8 |
| Clark Elementary School South Beloit, IL | 5.8 |
| Grass Lake Elem School Antioch, IL | 5.8 |
| Hazelgreen Elem School Alsip, IL | 5.8 |
| Hiawatha Elem Sch PreK-5 Kirkland, 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 ranks #2,239 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Penn Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Penn Elem School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 45.1%
- Phone
- (773) 534-1665
Resources & Links
District
Chicago Public Schools Dist 299- District Enrollment
- 322,809
- Schools in District
- 643
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,699
- District Rank
- #340 of 621
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