Very Good
#1165 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 31% in state
Penniman Elem School
Elementary School · Cahokia CUSD 187
1820 Jerome Ln, Cahokia, IL 62206
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cahokia
#3 of 7
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#741 of 2,326
In district
#3 of 8
Cahokia CUSD 187
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Penniman Elem School
Penniman Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Cahokia, Illinois, in St. Clair County. The school serves students from third to fifth grade and has an enrollment of 260 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention.
Penniman Elem School has 18 full-time equivalent teachers committed to their students' education. Academically, the school ranks in the lower tier statewide at #3317 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (13th percentile) with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.7/10 and an Academic Score of 1.0/10. Test performance shows that only 1% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 2% are proficient or above in Math.
Despite these challenges, the school is focusing on student development and academic growth to better meet the needs of its community. Penniman Elem School is situated in a large suburban area, providing a diverse setting for its students. The neighborhood surrounding Penniman Elem School does not have specific data available, but it remains an integral part of the Cahokia community, fostering a supportive environment for learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Penniman Elem School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Penniman Elem School — Students at Penniman Elem School score 1% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 3 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.
How Penniman Elem School Compares
See how Penniman Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 2% (2019) to 0.5% (2022).
Location
1820 Jerome Ln, Cahokia, IL 62206
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penniman Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Huffman Elem School (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE SOULARD SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby St. Louis), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Elizabeth Morris Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cahokia, see our Cahokia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Estelle Sauget School of Choice Cahokia | 0.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Cahokia High School Cahokia | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Elizabeth Morris Elem School Cahokia | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Maplewood Elem School Cahokia | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Wirth/Parks Middle School Cahokia | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Huffman Elem School Cahokia | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| JTC ACADEMY Centreville | 2.3 mi | — |
| Dunbar Elem School East Saint Louis | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Lalumier Elem School Centreville | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| East St Louis-Lincoln Middle Sch East Saint Louis | 4.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Annette Officer Elementary East Saint Louis | 4.0 mi | 6.7 |
| SIU Charter Sch of East St Louis East Saint Louis | 4.2 mi | 6.7 |
| LIFT FOR LIFE ACADEMY St. Louis | 4.1 mi | 6.7 |
| LIFT FOR LIFE ACADEMY HIGH SCH St. Louis | 4.1 mi | 6.5 |
| LIFT FOR LIFE ACADEMY ELEM. St. Louis | 4.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Vivian Adams Early Child Ctr East Saint Louis | 4.6 mi | 7.0 |
| HUMBOLDT ACAD OF HIGHER LRNING St. Louis | 4.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Bluffview Elem School Dupo | 4.2 mi | 5.3 |
| East St Louis Senior High School East Saint Louis | 4.3 mi | 6.0 |
| THE SOULARD SCHOOL St. Louis | 4.2 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$39,520
Median Home Value
$57,700
Median Rent
$1,021/mo
Population
13,155
College Educated
11.6%
Homeownership
57.6%
Avg Commute
28.7 min
Poverty Rate
29.9%
Median Age
33.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penniman Elem School has a median household income of $39,520. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $57,700, with a median rent of $1,021/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Bright Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Chopin Elem School Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Devonshire School Des Plaines, IL | 7.0 |
| Dunbar Elem School East Saint Louis, IL | 7.0 |
| Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch Chicago, IL | 7.0 |
| Eisenhower Elem School Jacksonville, IL | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penniman Elem School
What grades does Penniman Elem School serve?
Penniman Elem School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Penniman Elem School?
Penniman Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 260 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penniman Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Penniman Elem School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penniman Elem School rank in IL?
Penniman Elem School is ranked #1165 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Penniman Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Penniman Elem School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Penniman Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penniman Elem School has 2.0% math proficiency and 1.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penniman Elem School a charter school?
No, Penniman Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penniman Elem School a Title I school?
No, Penniman Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penniman Elem School?
93.1% of students at Penniman 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (144/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 260
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- St. Clair County
- Phone
- (618) 332-1915
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cahokia CUSD 187- District Enrollment
- 3,056
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,171
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
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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