Very Good
#2751 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 32% in state
Penelope School
School · PENELOPE ISD
P O BOX 68, Penelope, TX 76676
Enrollment
212
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
212
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#158 of 477
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Penelope School
Penelope School serves 212 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the small rural community of Penelope, Texas. This regular public school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, supported by 19 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide personalized attention to each student. The school has earned recognition for its strong performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #1155 out of 8598 schools statewide, placing it in the impressive 87th percentile among Texas schools.
This achievement reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence in a close-knit setting where teachers and students develop meaningful relationships. Penelope School operates in Hill County's rural landscape, where the zip code population of just 317 residents creates a true small-town atmosphere. The community demonstrates economic stability with a median household income of $63,125 and median home values around $155,000.
With 30% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 4.4%, the area provides a supportive foundation for student success. The school serves as an educational cornerstone in this tight-knit rural Texas community, where students benefit from both academic achievement and the personal connections that define small-town schooling.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Penelope School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Penelope School — Students at Penelope School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Penelope School Compares
See how Penelope School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 37% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 68, Penelope, TX 76676
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penelope School may also want to explore other schools in the area. BYNUM SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Bynum), which scores notably higher. Another option is ABBOTT SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Abbott), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MOUNT CALM ISD (rated 7.1/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Mount Calm), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Penelope, see our Penelope schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MALONE EL Malone | 4.6 mi | 7.3 |
| MOUNT CALM ISD Mount Calm | 7.5 mi | 7.1 |
| HUBBARD EL Hubbard | 7.2 mi | 7.6 |
| HUBBARD H S Hubbard | 7.2 mi | 6.2 |
| BYNUM SCHOOL Bynum | 8.4 mi | 8.6 |
| ABBOTT SCHOOL Abbott | 8.7 mi | 7.8 |
| WEST EL West | 9.7 mi | 9.0 |
| WEST H S West | 9.8 mi | 7.0 |
| WEST MIDDLE West | 9.8 mi | 8.5 |
| ST MARYS SCHOOL West | 10.7 mi | 6.5 |
| AXTELL H S Axtell | 14.2 mi | 5.9 |
| AXTELL MIDDLE SCHOOL Axtell | 14.2 mi | 8.0 |
| AXTELL EL Axtell | 14.8 mi | 7.0 |
| DAWSON PK-12 Dawson | 13.1 mi | 6.3 |
| HILLSBORO INT Hillsboro | 14.2 mi | 8.1 |
| HILLSBORO EL Hillsboro | 14.2 mi | 6.4 |
| HILLSBORO H S Hillsboro | 14.3 mi | 7.1 |
| HILLSBORO J H Hillsboro | 15.4 mi | 9.0 |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hillsboro | 15.4 mi | — |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN S HILLSBORO Hillsboro | 15.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 76676 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,500
Median Home Value
$133,300
Median Rent
$900/mo
Population
353
College Educated
26.9%
Homeownership
95.5%
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Median Age
35.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penelope School has a median household income of $75,500. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $133,300, with a median rent of $900/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| GOLD BURG SCHOOL Bowie, TX | 7.1 |
| HERMLEIGH SCHOOL Hermleigh, TX | 7.1 |
| MOUNT CALM ISD Mount Calm, TX | 7.1 |
| OLFEN SCHOOL Rowena, TX | 7.1 |
| TRENT INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Trent, TX | 7.1 |
| ZEPHYR SCHOOL Zephyr, TX | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penelope School
What grades does Penelope School serve?
Penelope School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Penelope School?
Penelope School has an enrollment of approximately 212 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penelope School?
The student-teacher ratio at Penelope School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penelope School rank in TX?
Penelope School is ranked #2751 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Penelope School's MySchoolScout rating?
Penelope School 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 Penelope School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penelope School has 44.5% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penelope School a charter school?
No, Penelope School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penelope School a Title I school?
No, Penelope School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penelope School?
49.1% of students at Penelope School 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
- County Safety
- Average (535/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 212
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Hill County
- Phone
- (254) 533-2215
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PENELOPE ISD- District Enrollment
- 212
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,332
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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