Very Good
#380 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 28% in state
South Penn Elementary
Elementary School · Allegany County Public Schools
500 E 2nd St, Cumberland, MD 21502
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cumberland
#4 of 9
public schools
Maryland elementary schools
#367 of 882
In district
#7 of 22
Allegany County Public Schools
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About South Penn Elementary
South Penn Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Cumberland, Maryland. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 512 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1 with 46 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is in a remote town, offering a close-knit community atmosphere.
South Penn Elementary currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks at #835 among Maryland’s 1364 schools, placing it in the 39th percentile overall. Academically, the school scores a 3.9 out of 10, with 25% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 19% proficient or above in Math. While these test scores indicate room for academic growth, South Penn Elementary focuses on developing each student's unique potential.
South Penn Elementary is situated in a supportive community where teachers work diligently to nurture the educational needs of their young learners.
Score Breakdown
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South Penn Elementary — Students at South Penn Elementary score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How South Penn Elementary Compares
See how South Penn Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 24% (2019) to 31.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 29% (2019) to 29.9% (2025).
Location
500 E 2nd St, Cumberland, MD 21502
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Penn Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Parkside Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Lavale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Northeast Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bel Air Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cumberland, see our Cumberland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Middle Cumberland | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Fort Hill High Cumberland | 0.7 mi | 4.7 |
| John Humbird Elementary Cumberland | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| BEGINNINGS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cumberland | 1.2 mi | — |
| West Side Elementary Cumberland | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Wiley Ford Primary School Wiley Ford | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Braddock Middle Cumberland | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| BISHOP WALSH SCHOOL,K-12/DIOCESE Cumberland | 2.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Northeast Elementary Cumberland | 3.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Allegany High Cumberland | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cumberland | 3.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Cash Valley Elementary Lavale | 3.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Parkside Elementary Lavale | 3.9 mi | 9.0 |
| Center for Career & Technical Education Cresaptown | 4.4 mi | 4.0 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cresaptown | 4.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Cresaptown Elementary Cresaptown | 5.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Frankfort High School Ridgeley | 6.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Frankfort Middle School Ridgeley | 7.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Bel Air Elementary Cumberland | 6.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Frankfort Intermediate School Fort Ashby | 8.8 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,721
Median Home Value
$151,400
Median Rent
$771/mo
Population
41,810
College Educated
20.3%
Homeownership
69.9%
Avg Commute
19.7 min
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Penn Elementary has a median household income of $58,721. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,400, with a median rent of $771/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Adelphi Elementary Adelphi, MD | 7.4 |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia, MD | 7.4 |
| Beacon Heights Elementary Riverdale, MD | 7.4 |
| Bradley Hills Elementary Bethesda, MD | 7.4 |
| Brock Bridge Elementary Laurel, MD | 7.4 |
| Bushy Park Elementary Glenwood, MD | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Penn Elementary
What grades does South Penn Elementary serve?
South Penn Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Penn Elementary?
South Penn Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 512 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Penn Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South Penn Elementary is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Penn Elementary rank in MD?
South Penn Elementary is ranked #380 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is South Penn Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Penn Elementary has a composite rating of 7.4 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 South Penn Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Penn Elementary has 20.6% math proficiency and 25.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Penn Elementary a charter school?
No, South Penn Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Penn Elementary a Title I school?
No, South Penn Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Penn Elementary?
68.9% of students at South 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 67 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 21 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 44 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,426/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cumberland). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 512
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Allegany County
- Phone
- (301) 777-1755
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Allegany County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,205
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,290
- District Rank
- #7 of 22
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.
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