William Penn Elementary

Summary:

William Penn Elementary is a public elementary school in Bakersfield, California, serving 284 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Bakersfield City School District, which is ranked 1338 out of 1568 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

William Penn Elementary faces significant challenges, including high chronic absenteeism rates, low academic achievement, and a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The school's chronic absenteeism rate has increased from 10.9% in 2018-2019 to 46.0% in 2021-2022, much higher than the district and state averages. In academic performance, William Penn consistently underperforms compared to the Bakersfield City and California averages in Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics, as well as the CAST Science assessments. For example, in 2023-2024, only 23.26% of William Penn students were proficient or better in ELA/Literacy, compared to 27.74% for Bakersfield City and 47.04% for California. The school also has a high student-teacher ratio of 23.2, compared to nearby schools ranging from 19.1 to 22.0.

While the challenges faced by William Penn Elementary are not unique, as many of the nearby schools in the Bakersfield City School District struggle with similar issues, one exception is Downtown Elementary, which consistently outperforms the district and state averages in both academic achievement and student attendance. The declining performance of William Penn Elementary over the years, with its statewide ranking dropping from 3098 out of 5789 California elementary schools in 2018-2019 to 4852 out of 5862 in 2023-2024, suggests the need for targeted interventions and support to improve educational outcomes for the students at this school.


Detail:

Public K-5

 2201 San Emidio St.
       Bakersfield, CA  93304-1125


(661) 631-5440

District: Bakersfield City

SchoolDigger Rank:
4852nd of 5,862 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,589 Help


Students who attend William Penn Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Curran Middle
High:    Bakersfield High

Student/teacher ratio:  23.2 Help
Number of students:  284

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
80.3%
African American:
8.1%
White:
7.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  95.1% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details William Penn Elementary ranks worse than 82.8% of elementary schools in California. It also ranks 17th among 32 ranked elementary schools in the Bakersfield City School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 20.1. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (80.3%), African American (8.1%), White (7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 95.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at William Penn Elementary is 23.2. 28 elementary schools in the Bakersfield City School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare William Penn Elementary employs 12.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at William Penn Elementary is $9,589, which is the 9th highest among 32 elementary schools in the Bakersfield City School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

William Penn Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks William Penn Elementary 4852nd of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See William Penn Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


Bakersfield City:

SchoolDigger ranks Bakersfield City 1338th of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for William Penn Elementary

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Rank History for all students at William Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 22.00 3784th 4809 21.3%
2005 23.20 3752nd 4822 22.2%
2006 21.49 3885th 4818 19.4%
2007 33.25 3348th 5113 34.5%
2008 21.65 4220th 5113 17.5%
2009 20.72 4364th 5193 16.0%
2010 21.69 4487th 5314 15.6%
2011 18.60 4762nd 5377 11.4%
2012 26.32 4227th 5390 21.6%
2013 37.93 3465th 5530 37.3%
2015 35.53 3288th 5611 41.4%
2016 34.98 3408th 5614 39.3%
2017 35.87 3376th 5692 40.7%
2018 36.93 3345th 5662 40.9%
2019 41.49 3098th 5789 46.5%
2022 21.37 4707th 5883 20.0%
2023 13.80 5414th 5874 7.8%
2024 20.10 4852nd 5862 17.2%
See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at William Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 20.45 3120th 3250 4.0%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at William Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.53 2517th 5084 50.5%
2019 50.64 2362nd 5173 54.3%
2022 28.23 3979th 5264 24.4%
2023 17.79 4849th 5374 9.8%
2024 28.55 4085th 5511 25.9%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at William Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.31 2577th 5413 52.4%
2019 42.35 2960th 5492 46.1%
2022 17.94 4892nd 5635 13.2%
2023 16.59 4995th 5617 11.1%
2024 20.35 4671st 5605 16.7%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at William Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.86 3873rd 5431 28.7%
2019 40.56 3002nd 5510 45.5%
2022 29.18 3856th 5663 31.9%
2023 16.03 5072nd 5650 10.2%
2024 23.04 4440th 5636 21.2%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at William Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 53.19 2022nd 4830 58.1%
2019 51.40 2198th 4963 55.7%
2022 27.91 3882nd 5084 23.6%
2023 15.66 4749th 5098 6.8%
2024 25.77 4047th 5102 20.7%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

William Penn Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: California Department of Education

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Enrollment information for William Penn Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 172 67 37 106 10 n/a n/a 0 392
1989 182 75 29 118 8 n/a n/a 0 412
1990 167 69 59 134 10 n/a n/a 0 439
1991 162 64 47 143 14 n/a n/a 0 430
1992 158 58 45 151 7 n/a n/a 0 419
1993 155 56 36 164 8 n/a n/a 0 419
1994 131 67 52 168 7 n/a n/a 0 425
1995 124 70 31 181 9 n/a n/a 0 415
1996 124 70 31 181 9 n/a n/a 0 415
1997 125 50 42 165 11 n/a n/a 0 393
1998 97 42 29 158 10 n/a n/a 0 336
1999 106 43 28 158 14 n/a n/a 0 349
2000 108 25 13 175 18 n/a n/a 2 341
2001 101 27 15 186 11 n/a n/a 2 342
2002 83 35 14 193 9 n/a n/a 2 336
2003 83 35 14 193 9 n/a n/a 2 336
2004 71 28 15 176 5 n/a n/a 1 296
2005 55 29 11 142 8 n/a n/a 3 248
2006 47 43 9 149 8 n/a n/a 1 257
2007 52 44 8 172 4 n/a n/a 4 284
2008 47 48 14 171 4 n/a n/a 0 284
2009 44 41 12 160 6 1 3 0 267
2010 51 44 9 155 4 0 2 0 265
2011 54 36 7 175 1 0 2 0 275
2012 46 32 6 187 0 0 4 0 275
2013 47 36 6 188 0 0 5 0 282
2014 63 30 5 189 1 0 6 0 294
2015 53 23 6 196 1 1 6 0 286
2016 43 26 7 211 1 1 7 0 296
2017 36 20 4 220 0 1 12 0 293
2018 40 19 4 220 0 0 11 0 294
2019 35 13 12 227 1 0 9 0 297
2020 28 12 9 219 2 1 7 0 278
2021 30 15 7 205 3 0 6 0 266
2022 24 16 5 223 2 0 3 0 273
2023 20 23 8 228 1 0 4 0 284

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at William Penn Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 392 15.0 26.1 n/a
1989 412 15.0 27.4 n/a
1990 439 16.0 27.4 n/a
1991 430 16.4 26.2 n/a
1992 419 16.7 25.0 83.1
1993 419 16.0 26.2 86.6
1994 425 16.0 26.6 82.6
1995 415 15.0 27.7 92.8
1996 415 15.0 27.7 92.8
1997 393 17.0 23.1 94.9
1998 336 17.6 19.1 89.6
1999 349 17.5 19.9 86.2
2000 341 18.0 18.9 89.1
2001 342 18.1 18.9 90.3
2002 336 15.8 21.3 90.1
2003 336 15.8 21.3 90.1
2004 296 15.5 19.1 89.5
2005 248 13.0 19.1 84.5
2006 257 14.0 18.4 80.9
2007 284 15.0 18.9 80
2008 284 19.0 14.9 85.6
2009 267 14.0 17.8 89.1
2010 265 13.0 20.3 92.8
2011 275 n/a n/a 94.9
2012 275 14.1 19.4 n/a
2013 282 15.2 18.5 89.4
2014 294 14.0 21.0 80.6
2015 286 13.0 22.0 95.5
2016 296 13.0 22.7 89.9
2017 293 13.0 22.4 92.5
2018 294 13.0 22.5 90.8
2019 297 15.0 19.7 89.2
2020 278 n/a n/a 92.4
2021 266 14.2 18.7 95.1
2022 273 13.0 20.9 86.8
2023 284 12.2 23.2 95.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio William Penn Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 392 15.0 26.1 n/a
1989 412 15.0 27.4 n/a
1990 439 16.0 27.4 n/a
1991 430 16.4 26.2 n/a
1992 419 16.7 25.0 83.1
1993 419 16.0 26.2 86.6
1994 425 16.0 26.6 82.6
1995 415 15.0 27.7 92.8
1996 415 15.0 27.7 92.8
1997 393 17.0 23.1 94.9
1998 336 17.6 19.1 89.6
1999 349 17.5 19.9 86.2
2000 341 18.0 18.9 89.1
2001 342 18.1 18.9 90.3
2002 336 15.8 21.3 90.1
2003 336 15.8 21.3 90.1
2004 296 15.5 19.1 89.5
2005 248 13.0 19.1 84.5
2006 257 14.0 18.4 80.9
2007 284 15.0 18.9 80
2008 284 19.0 14.9 85.6
2009 267 14.0 17.8 89.1
2010 265 13.0 20.3 92.8
2011 275 n/a n/a 94.9
2012 275 14.1 19.4 n/a
2013 282 15.2 18.5 89.4
2014 294 14.0 21.0 80.6
2015 286 13.0 22.0 95.5
2016 296 13.0 22.7 89.9
2017 293 13.0 22.4 92.5
2018 294 13.0 22.5 90.8
2019 297 15.0 19.7 89.2
2020 278 n/a n/a 92.4
2021 266 14.2 18.7 95.1
2022 273 13.0 20.9 86.8
2023 284 12.2 23.2 95.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Immunization Rates

William Penn Elementary

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPolioHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMMR
201296.0%0.0%0.0%4.0%98.0%98.0%100.0%98.0%98.0%
201393.0%5.0%0.0%2.0%95.0%95.0%95.0%93.0%95.0%
201494.0%0.0%0.0%6.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%98.0%94.0%
201598.0%0.0%2.0%0.0%98.0%98.0%98.0%98.0%98.0%
2016100.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%
201794.0%0.0%3.0%3.0%≥95.0%≥95.0%≥95.0%≥95.0%≥95.0%
2018≥95.0%≤5.0%≤5.0%≤5.0%≥95.0%≥95.0%≥95.0%≥95.0%≥95.0%
201994.0%0.0%6.0%≥95.0%≥95.0%≥95.0%94.0%≥95.0%
202197.4%0.0%1.3%97.4%

Data source: California Department of Public Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for William Penn Elementary

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $9,589

Data source: California Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on William Penn Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 3098th of 5789 Elementary schoolsRanks 5414th of 5874 Elementary schools
 38.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (William Penn Elementary)54.425
 29.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Bakersfield City)36.625.1
 11.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.543
 5.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (William Penn Elementary)5017.5
 32.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Bakersfield City)33.923.4
 10.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (California)50.245.1
 5.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (William Penn Elementary)51.123.6
 27.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Bakersfield City)36.827.3
 9.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.543.7
 5.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (William Penn Elementary)42.612.7
 29.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Bakersfield City)2518.4
 6.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (California)44.940.8
 4.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (William Penn Elementary)45.514.6
 30.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Bakersfield City)37.127.5
 9.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.746.7
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (William Penn Elementary)11.410.4
 0.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Bakersfield City)1712.2
 4.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (California)3833.4
 4.6%
5th Grade Science (William Penn Elementary)13.38.3
 5%
   5th Grade Science (Bakersfield City)15.815.2
 0.6%
   5th Grade Science (California)31.731.9
 0.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students297284
 4.4%
African American1323
 76.9%
American Indian11
Asian128
 33.3%
Hispanic227228
 0.4%
Pacific Islander00
White3520
 42.9%
Two or More Races94
 55.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients89.2%95.1%
 5.8%


Schools Near William Penn Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about William Penn Elementary

Students who attend William Penn Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Curran Middle
High : Bakersfield High

In the 2022-23 school year, 284 students attended William Penn Elementary.

William Penn Elementary ranks in the bottom 17.2% of California elementary schools.

Students at William Penn Elementary are 80% Hispanic, 8% African American, 7% White, 3% Asian, 1% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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