Average
#996 of 1,363 schools in MD
South Penn Elementary
Elementary School · Allegany County Public Schools
500 E 2nd St, Cumberland, MD 21502
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#996 of 1,363
In Cumberland
#9 of 9
public schools
In district
#21 of 22
Allegany County Public Schools
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South Penn Elementary
Elementary School in Cumberland · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Washington Middle
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fort Hill High
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Penn Elementary
South Penn Elementary is a public elementary school in Cumberland, MD, part of Allegany County Public Schools. South Penn Elementary serves approximately 512 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. South Penn Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #996 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for South Penn Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 7.2
- MD avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
41% of students at South Penn Elementary 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
South Penn Elementary — Students at South Penn Elementary score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
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 28 test records from MD 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: 4.0/10.
How South Penn Elementary Compares
See how South Penn Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 Cash Valley Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Lavale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northeast Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 6.5 |
| Fort Hill High Cumberland | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| John Humbird Elementary Cumberland | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| BEGINNINGS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Cumberland | 1.2 mi | — |
| West Side Elementary Cumberland | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Wiley Ford Primary School Wiley Ford | 2.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Braddock Middle Cumberland | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| BISHOP WALSH SCHOOL,K-12/DIOCESE Cumberland | 2.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Northeast Elementary Cumberland | 3.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Allegany High Cumberland | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cumberland | 3.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Cash Valley Elementary Lavale | 3.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Parkside Elementary Lavale | 3.9 mi | 9.0 |
| Center for Career & Technical Education Cresaptown | 4.4 mi | 4.7 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cresaptown | 4.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Cresaptown Elementary Cresaptown | 5.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Frankfort High School Ridgeley | 6.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Frankfort Middle School Ridgeley | 7.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Bel Air Elementary Cumberland | 6.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Frankfort Intermediate School Fort Ashby | 8.8 mi | 5.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Barnaby Manor Elementary Oxon Hill, MD | 5.0 |
| Flower Hill Elementary Gaithersburg, MD | 5.0 |
| J. C. Parks Elementary School Indian Head, MD | 5.0 |
| Middletown Primary Middletown, MD | 5.0 |
| Northwood Elementary Baltimore, MD | 5.0 |
| ST PHILIP NERI SCHOOL Linthicum Heights, MD | 5.0 |
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 ranks #996 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is South Penn Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South Penn Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 South Penn Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Penn Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.0%
- Phone
- (301) 777-1755
Resources & Links
District
Allegany County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,205
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,290
- District Rank
- #21 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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