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Average

#1957 of 2,846 schools in PA

William Penn EL Sch

Elementary School · Bethlehem Area SD

1002 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Enrollment

239

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#1,957 of 2,846

In Bethlehem

#15 of 24

public schools

In district

#13 of 22

Bethlehem Area SD

School environment

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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William Penn EL Sch

5.3/10

Elementary School in Bethlehem · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Moravian Academy Middle School

7.2/10

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

Liberty HS

5.1/10

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

About William Penn EL Sch

William Penn EL Sch is a public elementary school in Bethlehem, PA, part of Bethlehem Area SD. William Penn EL Sch serves approximately 239 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. William Penn EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,957 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for William Penn EL Sch show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.4% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-24.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.4 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,564
Chronic Absenteeism18.8%

William Penn EL Sch — Students at William Penn EL Sch score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 46.5% (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
67%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
41.3%
2024
Math
26.9%
ELA
32.6%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How William Penn EL Sch Compares

See how William Penn EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
31th percentile in PA
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.8%

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

1002 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering William Penn EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Calypso El Sch (rated 8.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY INFANCY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ANNE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bethlehem, see our Bethlehem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
MORAVIAN ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Bethlehem 0.5 mi 7.2
Liberty HS Bethlehem 0.5 mi 5.1
A CHILD'S CHOICE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bethlehem 0.7 mi
Thomas Jefferson El Sch Bethlehem 0.8 mi 4.8
ST ANNE SCHOOL Bethlehem 0.9 mi 7.1
Nitschmann MS Bethlehem 0.9 mi 4.6
Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts Bethlehem 1.2 mi 8.0
Calypso El Sch Bethlehem 1.1 mi 8.0
Northeast MS Bethlehem 1.0 mi 3.9
Broughal MS Bethlehem 1.4 mi 3.9
Lehigh Valley Dual Language CS Bethlehem 1.1 mi 4.4
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY Bethlehem 1.4 mi 6.2
HOLY INFANCY SCHOOL Bethlehem 1.5 mi 7.3
ST NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX ACADEMY Bethlehem 1.3 mi
ST NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX ACADEMY Bethlehem 1.3 mi
Donegan El Sch Bethlehem 1.6 mi 3.1
James Buchanan El Sch Bethlehem 1.5 mi 5.3
Spring Garden El Sch Bethlehem 1.7 mi 6.9
Lincoln El Sch Bethlehem 1.7 mi 6.4
Fountain Hill El Sch Bethlehem 2.2 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 18018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,968

Median Home Value

$224,000

Median Rent

$1,261/mo

Population

32,253

College Educated

37.1%

Homeownership

54.2%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.9%

Median Age

39.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BLESSED FRANCIS SEELOS ACADEMY Wexford, PA 5.3
CONN AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Connellsville, PA 5.3
Coebourn El Sch Brookhaven, PA 5.3
Howe Julia Ward Sch Philadelphia, PA 5.3
James Buchanan El Sch Bethlehem, PA 5.3
Laurel Valley El Sch New Florence, PA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about William Penn EL Sch

What grades does William Penn EL Sch serve?

William Penn EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend William Penn EL Sch?

William Penn EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at William Penn EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at William Penn EL Sch is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does William Penn EL Sch rank in PA?

William Penn EL Sch ranks #1,957 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is William Penn EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

William Penn EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 William Penn EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, William Penn EL Sch has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is William Penn EL Sch a charter school?

No, William Penn EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is William Penn EL Sch a Title I school?

No, William Penn EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William Penn EL Sch?

79.9% of students at William Penn EL 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
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Northampton County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.8%

District

Bethlehem Area SD
District Enrollment
12,864
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,564
District Rank
#13 of 22

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