The Joseph Pennell Elementary School is an historic, American elementary school that is located in the Belfield neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Serving 308 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Pennell Joseph School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 15-19% (which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is equal to the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 308 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in PA
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 15-19% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-29% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Pennell Joseph School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Pennell Joseph School's student population of 308 students has declined by 31% over five school years.
The teacher population of 23 teachers has declined by 17% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
308 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
23 teachers
School Rankings
Pennell Joseph School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Pennell Joseph School is 0.19, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2617 out of 2733 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
36%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
57%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
2%
5%
Hispanic
3%
15%
Black
90%
14%
White
1%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
60%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (08-09)
10%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pennell Joseph School's ranking?
Pennell Joseph School is ranked #2617 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What schools are Pennell Joseph School often compared to?
Pennell Joseph Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Prince Hall School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% PA state average), while 15-19% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
How many students attend Pennell Joseph School?
308 students attend Pennell Joseph School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
90% of Pennell Joseph School students are Black, 3% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Asian, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Pennell Joseph School?
Pennell Joseph School has a student ration of 13:1, which is equal to the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Pennell Joseph School offer ?
Pennell Joseph School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Pennell Joseph School part of?
Pennell Joseph School is part of Philadelphia City School District.
In what neighborhood is Pennell Joseph School located?
Pennell Joseph School is located in the Belfield neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA.
School Reviews
Review Pennell Joseph School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Chicago Schools: Special Needs and Enriched Academic Programs
We’ll examine some of the programs offered by Chicago Public Schools to provide services to special needs students and help high-achieving students reach their full academic potential.
Benefits of Public School Summer Programs
Learn about the three major advantages of enrolling your child in a summer learning program hosted by your public school.
Navigating Special Needs Education: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents and Educators
We explore special needs in children, including learning disabilities, autism, and ADHD. We suggest some insights on diagnosis, support strategies, and educational approaches, empowering parents and educators to provide effective assistance to children with special needs.
