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Average

#2029 of 2,846 schools in PA

Pennell Joseph Sch

Elementary School · Philadelphia City SD

1800 Nedro Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19141

Enrollment

308

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,029 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#107 of 300

public schools

In district

#77 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Pennell Joseph Sch

5.2/10

Elementary School in Philadelphia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Prince Hall Sch

4.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Central HS

8.3/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pennell Joseph Sch

Pennell Joseph Sch is a public elementary school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Philadelphia City SD. Pennell Joseph Sch serves approximately 308 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Pennell Joseph Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,029 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Pennell Joseph Sch show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Pennell Joseph Sch 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.

44% of students at Pennell Joseph Sch 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 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.76 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.4% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.6% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-38.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-38.2 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-17.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,897
Chronic Absenteeism43.8%

Pennell Joseph Sch — Students at Pennell Joseph Sch score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 18.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
41%
ELA
29%
2010
Math
48%
ELA
31%
2011
Math
34%
ELA
29%
2012
Math
33%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
13%
2016
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
5%
ELA
16%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
15.1%
2024
Math
13.3%
ELA
17.4%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Pennell Joseph Sch Compares

See how Pennell Joseph Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
29th percentile in PA
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1800 Nedro Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19141

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pennell Joseph Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LOGAN HOPE SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Logan James Sch (rated 5.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mastery CS-Francis D. Pastorius Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Prince Hall Sch Philadelphia 0.3 mi 4.0
Central HS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 8.3
ADELAIDE EDUCATIONAL CENTER Philadelphia 0.4 mi
Girls HS Philadelphia 0.4 mi 7.6
Imhotep Institute CHS Philadelphia 0.5 mi 2.8
Widener Memorial Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 3.1
MT AIRY CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.6 mi
Howe Julia Ward Sch Philadelphia 0.5 mi 5.3
Wagner Gen Louis MS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 2.2
Building 21 Philadelphia 0.7 mi 5.2
Mastery CS-Francis D. Pastorius Elementary Philadelphia 0.7 mi 5.5
Logan James Sch Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.8
EXCELSIOR SCHOOL PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.2
Rowen William Sch Philadelphia 1.1 mi 2.4
LOGAN HOPE SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.1 mi 7.7
King Martin Luther HS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 3.9
Ellwood Sch Philadelphia 1.0 mi 4.1
Cooke Jay MS Philadelphia 1.3 mi 3.4
ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.3 mi 4.7
Lindley Academy CS at Birney Philadelphia 1.2 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19141 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,461

Median Home Value

$143,400

Median Rent

$1,009/mo

Population

33,832

College Educated

16.4%

Homeownership

51.8%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

28.6%

Median Age

37.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cook-Wissahickon Sch Philadelphia, PA 5.2
Mooreland El Sch Carlisle, PA 5.2
Paradise El Sch Paradise, PA 5.2
Potter-Thomas Sch Philadelphia, PA 5.2
Quakertown El Sch Quakertown, PA 5.2
ST GREGORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zelienople, PA 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pennell Joseph Sch

What grades does Pennell Joseph Sch serve?

Pennell Joseph Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Pennell Joseph Sch?

Pennell Joseph Sch has an enrollment of approximately 308 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pennell Joseph Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Pennell Joseph Sch is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pennell Joseph Sch rank in PA?

Pennell Joseph Sch ranks #2,029 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Pennell Joseph Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Pennell Joseph Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Pennell Joseph Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pennell Joseph Sch has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Pennell Joseph Sch a charter school?

No, Pennell Joseph Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pennell Joseph Sch a Title I school?

No, Pennell Joseph Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pennell Joseph Sch?

100.0% of students at Pennell Joseph Sch qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
86 Very Walkable
Transit Score
76 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Philadelphia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.8%

District

Philadelphia City SD
District Enrollment
117,907
Schools in District
220
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,897
District Rank
#77 of 218

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