Excellent
#210 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 11% in state
Penn Forest Elementary
Elementary School · Roanoke County Public Schools
6328 Merriman Rd, Roanoke, VA 24018
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
406
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#210 of 1,851
In Roanoke
#5 of 41
public schools
In district
#3 of 26
Roanoke County Public Schools
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Penn Forest Elementary
Elementary School in Roanoke · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cave Spring High
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cave Spring Elementary
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Penn Forest Elementary
Penn Forest Elementary is a public elementary school in Roanoke, VA, part of Roanoke County Public Schools. Penn Forest Elementary serves approximately 406 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Penn Forest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #210 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Penn Forest Elementary show 89% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- District avg 7.3
- VA avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Penn Forest Elementary — Students at Penn Forest Elementary score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).
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 33 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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Grandin Court Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Crystal Spring Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Back Creek Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 4.0 miles away), with a very similar 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 | 7.8 |
| Cave Spring Elementary Roanoke | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| NORTH CROSS SCHOOL Roanoke | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Cave Spring Middle Roanoke | 1.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Green Valley Elementary Roanoke | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Hidden Valley High Roanoke | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Grandin Court Elementary Roanoke | 3.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Clearbrook Elementary Roanoke | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| James Madison Middle Roanoke | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Fishburn Park Elementary Roanoke | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Patrick Henry High Roanoke | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Roanoke | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Woodrow Wilson Middle Roanoke | 4.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Hidden Valley Middle Roanoke | 4.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Crystal Spring Elementary Roanoke | 3.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Wasena Elementary Roanoke | 4.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Virginia Heights Elementary Roanoke | 4.5 mi | 7.3 |
| RIVERMONT SCHOOL - ROANOKE Roanoke | 4.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Back Creek Elementary Roanoke | 4.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Garden City Elementary Roanoke | 4.2 mi | 6.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ashburn Elementary Ashburn, VA | 8.4 |
| Back Creek Elementary Roanoke, VA | 8.4 |
| Camp Allen Elementary Norfolk, VA | 8.4 |
| Campbell Elementary Arlington, VA | 8.4 |
| Chesterbrook Elementary Mclean, VA | 8.4 |
| Kempsville Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 8.4 |
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 ranks #210 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Penn Forest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Penn Forest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Penn Forest Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Penn Forest Elementary has 89% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.6%
- Phone
- (540) 772-7590
Resources & Links
District
Roanoke County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,799
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,365
- District Rank
- #3 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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