Very Good
#943 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 33% in state
Samuel Pennypacker Sch
Elementary School · Philadelphia City SD
1858 East Washington Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Enrollment
324
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
324
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Philadelphia
#63 of 300
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#646 of 1,625
In district
#60 of 218
Philadelphia City SD
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Samuel Pennypacker Sch
Samuel Pennypacker School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Philadelphia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, it has an enrollment of 324 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a bustling city environment where educational development is ongoing and focused on growth.
The academic performance at Samuel Pennypacker School currently reflects room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2189 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it in the 23rd percentile. In terms of subject proficiency, only 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 6% achieve proficiency or higher in Math. Despite these challenges, Samuel Pennypacker School remains an integral part of its urban community, providing educational opportunities for a diverse group of learners in the heart of Philadelphia.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Samuel Pennypacker 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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Samuel Pennypacker Sch — Students at Samuel Pennypacker Sch score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from PA 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: 9.1/10.
How Samuel Pennypacker Sch Compares
See how Samuel Pennypacker Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 6% (2019) to 4.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 23% (2024).
Location
1858 East Washington Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Samuel Pennypacker Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Franklin S Edmonds Sch (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Day Anna B Sch (rated 5.6/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Mastery CS-Francis D. Pastorius Elementary (rated 5.3/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Philadelphia, see our Philadelphia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEW MEDINA LEARNING INSTITUTE Philadelphia | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.4 mi | 4.7 |
| West Oak Lane CS Philadelphia | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| King Martin Luther HS Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| EXCELSIOR SCHOOL PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| ST RAYMOND OF PENAFORT SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Parkway Northwest Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Day Anna B Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Rowen William Sch Philadelphia | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| GREEN TREE SCHOOL Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Building 21 Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Cedarbrook MS Wyncote | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Franklin S Edmonds Sch Philadelphia | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| MT AIRY CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 1.0 mi | — |
| Imhotep Institute CHS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Hill Freedman World Academy Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| AMY NW Philadelphia | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Mastery CS-Francis D. Pastorius Elementary Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Wagner Gen Louis MS Philadelphia | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| ADELAIDE EDUCATIONAL CENTER Philadelphia | 1.2 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 19138 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,586
Median Home Value
$167,300
Median Rent
$1,172/mo
Population
31,737
College Educated
17.9%
Homeownership
64.3%
Avg Commute
34 min
Poverty Rate
22.6%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Samuel Pennypacker Sch has a median household income of $51,586. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $167,300, with a median rent of $1,172/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Charles Sumner #18 Scranton, PA | 7.1 |
| Childs George W Sch Philadelphia, PA | 7.1 |
| Clearview El Sch Bethlehem, PA | 7.1 |
| Corry Area Primary Sch Corry, PA | 7.1 |
| Easterly Parkway El Sch State College, PA | 7.1 |
| Fort Zeller El Sch Richland, PA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Samuel Pennypacker Sch
What grades does Samuel Pennypacker Sch serve?
Samuel Pennypacker Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Samuel Pennypacker Sch?
Samuel Pennypacker Sch has an enrollment of approximately 324 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Samuel Pennypacker Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Samuel Pennypacker Sch is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Samuel Pennypacker Sch rank in PA?
Samuel Pennypacker Sch is ranked #943 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Samuel Pennypacker Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Samuel Pennypacker Sch has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Samuel Pennypacker Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Samuel Pennypacker Sch has 5.8% math proficiency and 21.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Samuel Pennypacker Sch a charter school?
No, Samuel Pennypacker Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Samuel Pennypacker Sch a Title I school?
No, Samuel Pennypacker Sch is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Samuel Pennypacker Sch?
100.3% of students at Samuel Pennypacker 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
- 85 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 56 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 57 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 – 8th
- Enrollment
- 324
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Philadelphia County
- Phone
- (215) 400-3510
- 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
- #60 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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