Very Good
#1002 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 35% in state
Pennell Joseph Sch
Elementary School · Philadelphia City SD
1800 Nedro Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19141
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#69 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#682 of 1,625
In district
#65 of 218
Philadelphia City SD
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Pennell Joseph Sch
Pennell Joseph School is a public elementary school nestled in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Pennell Joseph offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 308 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. The dedicated teaching staff includes 23 full-time equivalent teachers committed to fostering academic growth.
While the school's MySchoolScout Rating stands at 4.0 out of 10 and its state ranking places it in the 24th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, Pennell Joseph focuses on student development beyond test scores. With only 16% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 11% in Math across all grades, there is room for improvement but also opportunities to support students’ academic journeys. Pennell Joseph School's setting in a large city means it’s part of a vibrant community with numerous resources and cultural experiences nearby.
This location provides students with a rich array of extracurricular activities and educational enrichment programs, enhancing their overall learning experience beyond the classroom walls.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Pennell Joseph Sch 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
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Pennell Joseph Sch — Students at Pennell Joseph Sch score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Pennell Joseph Sch Compares
See how Pennell Joseph Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 13.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 17.6% (2024).
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 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Logan James Sch (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Howe Julia Ward Sch (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.4 |
| Central HS Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| ADELAIDE EDUCATIONAL CENTER Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | — |
| Girls HS Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Imhotep Institute CHS Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Widener Memorial Sch Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| MT AIRY CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | — |
| Howe Julia Ward Sch Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Wagner Gen Louis MS Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Building 21 Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Mastery CS-Francis D. Pastorius Elementary Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Logan James Sch Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| EXCELSIOR SCHOOL PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Rowen William Sch Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| LOGAN HOPE SCHOOL Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| King Martin Luther HS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Ellwood Sch Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Cooke Jay MS Philadelphia | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Philadelphia | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Lindley Academy CS at Birney Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pennell Joseph Sch has a median household income of $42,461. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,400, with a median rent of $1,009/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Blairsville El Sch Blairsville, PA | 7.0 |
| Bryant William C Sch Philadelphia, PA | 7.0 |
| Candlebrook El Sch King Of Prussia, PA | 7.0 |
| DIVINE MERCY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Johnstown, PA | 7.0 |
| Duckrey Tanner Sch Philadelphia, PA | 7.0 |
| Fawn Area El Sch Fawn Grove, PA | 7.0 |
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 is ranked #1002 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Pennell Joseph Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Pennell Joseph Sch 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 Pennell Joseph Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pennell Joseph Sch has 10.9% math proficiency and 16.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 86 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 76 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 51 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (5,504/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Philadelphia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (215) 400-3680
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Philadelphia City SD- District Enrollment
- 117,907
- Schools in District
- 220
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,897
- District Rank
- #65 of 218
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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