Excellent
#233 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 13% in state
Penn Forest Elementary
Elementary School · Roanoke County Public Schools
6328 Merriman Rd, Roanoke, VA 24018
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Roanoke
#4 of 41
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#117 of 1,147
In district
#7 of 26
Roanoke County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Penn Forest Elementary
Penn Forest Elementary serves 406 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Roanoke, Virginia, maintaining a comfortable 14:1 student-teacher ratio with 29 full-time teachers. This high-performing public elementary school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #195 out of 1,856 Virginia elementary schools and placing in the 90th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. Academic excellence shines throughout Penn Forest, with students demonstrating exceptional proficiency rates of 91% in English Language Arts and reading, and 90% in mathematics across all grade levels.
These outstanding results reflect the school's strong academic foundation and dedicated teaching staff. The school draws from an educated and economically stable community in the 24018 ZIP code area, where 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $91,769. With a low poverty rate of just 5.9% and median home values around $299,800, the neighborhood provides a supportive environment for student learning.
Located on Merriman Road in Roanoke County, Penn Forest Elementary sits in a thriving mid-size suburban setting that combines residential charm with access to broader community resources, creating an ideal environment for elementary education.
Score Breakdown
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Penn Forest Elementary — Students at Penn Forest Elementary score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA 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: 8.8/10.
How Penn Forest Elementary Compares
See how Penn Forest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 91% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 92% (2025).
Location
6328 Merriman Rd, Roanoke, VA 24018
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Penn Forest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Back Creek Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Wasena Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 4.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Green Valley Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Roanoke, see our Roanoke schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cave Spring High Roanoke | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Cave Spring Elementary Roanoke | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| NORTH CROSS SCHOOL Roanoke | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Cave Spring Middle Roanoke | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Green Valley Elementary Roanoke | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Hidden Valley High Roanoke | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Grandin Court Elementary Roanoke | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Clearbrook Elementary Roanoke | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| James Madison Middle Roanoke | 3.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Fishburn Park Elementary Roanoke | 3.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Patrick Henry High Roanoke | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Roanoke | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Woodrow Wilson Middle Roanoke | 4.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Hidden Valley Middle Roanoke | 4.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Crystal Spring Elementary Roanoke | 3.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Wasena Elementary Roanoke | 4.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Virginia Heights Elementary Roanoke | 4.5 mi | 4.5 |
| RIVERMONT SCHOOL - ROANOKE Roanoke | 4.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Back Creek Elementary Roanoke | 4.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Garden City Elementary Roanoke | 4.2 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,383
Median Home Value
$327,600
Median Rent
$1,221/mo
Population
38,835
College Educated
53.1%
Homeownership
73.8%
Avg Commute
21.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Median Age
44.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Penn Forest Elementary has a median household income of $90,383. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $327,600, with a median rent of $1,221/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherry Run Elementary Burke, VA | 8.1 |
| Creeds Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 8.1 |
| Gilbert Linkous Elementary Blacksburg, VA | 8.1 |
| Wolftrap Elementary Vienna, VA | 8.1 |
| Algonkian Elementary Sterling, VA | 8.0 |
| Buckingham Co Elementary Dillwyn, VA | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Penn Forest Elementary
What grades does Penn Forest Elementary serve?
Penn Forest Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Penn Forest Elementary?
Penn Forest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 406 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Penn Forest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Penn Forest Elementary is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Penn Forest Elementary rank in VA?
Penn Forest Elementary is ranked #233 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Penn Forest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn Forest Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Penn Forest Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Penn Forest Elementary has 90.2% math proficiency and 90.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Penn Forest Elementary a charter school?
No, Penn Forest Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Penn Forest Elementary a Title I school?
No, Penn Forest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Penn Forest Elementary?
27.8% of students at Penn Forest Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Roanoke). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 406
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Roanoke County
- Phone
- (540) 772-7590
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Roanoke County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,799
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,365
- District Rank
- #7 of 26
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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