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Needs Improvement

#2755 of 2,846 schools in PA

Samuel Pennypacker Sch

Elementary School · Philadelphia City SD

1858 East Washington Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19138

Enrollment

324

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,755 of 2,846

In Philadelphia

#272 of 300

public schools

In district

#201 of 218

Philadelphia City SD

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Samuel Pennypacker Sch

3.0/10

Elementary School in Philadelphia · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

New Medina Learning Institute

6.3/10

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

St Athanasius School

4.7/10

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

About Samuel Pennypacker Sch

Samuel Pennypacker Sch is a public elementary school in Philadelphia, PA, part of Philadelphia City SD. Samuel Pennypacker Sch serves approximately 324 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Samuel Pennypacker Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,755 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Samuel Pennypacker Sch show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.7
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

32% of students at Samuel Pennypacker 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 Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-46.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.8 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-19.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,897
Chronic Absenteeism32.4%

Samuel Pennypacker Sch — Students at Samuel Pennypacker Sch score 14% 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

100.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
40.7% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 28.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 42 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
82%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
43%
ELA
41%
2012
Math
39%
ELA
33%
2013
Math
36%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
4%
ELA
19%
2017
Math
6%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
6%
ELA
19%
2019
Math
6%
ELA
19%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
6.4%
ELA
21.4%
2024
Math
5.2%
ELA
23.9%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Samuel Pennypacker Sch Compares

See how Samuel Pennypacker Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
3th percentile in PA
Academic
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.4/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.4%

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. Mastery CS-Francis D. Pastorius Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is EXCELSIOR SCHOOL PHILADELPHIA (rated 5.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST RAYMOND OF PENAFORT SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 2.8
King Martin Luther HS Philadelphia 0.6 mi 3.9
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 4.5
Day Anna B Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 2.8
Rowen William Sch Philadelphia 0.7 mi 2.4
GREEN TREE SCHOOL Philadelphia 0.8 mi 7.9
Building 21 Philadelphia 0.9 mi 5.2
Cedarbrook MS Wyncote 1.0 mi 4.9
Franklin S Edmonds Sch Philadelphia 0.8 mi 2.8
MT AIRY CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Philadelphia 1.0 mi
Imhotep Institute CHS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 2.8
Hill Freedman World Academy Philadelphia 0.9 mi 6.6
AMY NW Philadelphia 0.9 mi 4.1
Mastery CS-Francis D. Pastorius Elementary Philadelphia 1.2 mi 5.5
Wagner Gen Louis MS Philadelphia 1.1 mi 2.2
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Catharine Joseph Sch Philadelphia, PA 3.0
Jefferson El Sch Erie, PA 3.0
Mitchell El Sch Philadelphia, PA 3.0
Neil Armstrong #40 Scranton, PA 3.0
Propel CS-East Pittsburgh, PA 3.0
Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh CS Pittsburgh, PA 3.0

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 ranks #2,755 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Samuel Pennypacker Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Samuel Pennypacker Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Samuel Pennypacker Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Samuel Pennypacker Sch has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
85 Very Walkable
Transit Score
56 Good Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.4%

District

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

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