Sonnie Penn Elementary

Summary:

Sonnie Penn Elementary is a public magnet elementary school in Woodbridge, Virginia, serving 708 students in grades PK-5. As part of the Prince William County Public Schools district, Sonnie Penn consistently ranks among the top 25% of Virginia elementary schools and boasts impressive academic performance, particularly in Mathematics and English Reading.

With a diverse student population that includes White (22.03%), African American (28.67%), Hispanic (19.77%), and Asian (21.19%) students, Sonnie Penn Elementary excels in supporting all learners. The school's performance on SOL (Standards of Learning) tests is consistently above the district and state averages, and it ranks especially high for Hispanic and English Language Learner (ELL) students. Despite having a relatively high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds (36.58%), Sonnie Penn's performance for this subgroup is still strong, ranking 234th out of 1,036 Virginia elementary schools.

Compared to nearby schools like Kyle R. Wilson Elementary and Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Sonnie Penn Elementary outperforms on SOL tests in Mathematics and English Reading. The school's commitment to academic excellence and equity for all students, regardless of their background, makes it a standout in the Prince William County Public Schools district.


Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

 12980 Queen Chapel Rd
       Woodbridge, VA  22193


(703) 590-0344

District: Prince William County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
350th of 1,114 Virginia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,686 Help


Students who attend Sonnie Penn Elementary usually attend:

High:    Charles J. Colgan Senior High

Student/teacher ratio:  15.4 Help
Number of students:  715

Racial breakdown:

African American:
29.5%
Asian:
22.5%
White:
20.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  39.7% Help


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 Compare Sonnie Penn Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Sonnie Penn Elementary ranks better than 68.6% of elementary schools in Virginia. It also ranks 29th among 64 ranked elementary schools in the Prince William County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 70.26. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a 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 Student population at Sonnie Penn Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (29.5%), Asian (22.5%), White (20.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 39.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sonnie Penn Elementary is 15.4, which is the 26th best among 64 elementary schools in the Prince William County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Sonnie Penn Elementary employs 46.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sonnie Penn Elementary is $8,686. 36 elementary schools in the Prince William County Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Sonnie Penn Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Sonnie Penn Elementary 350th of 1114 Virginia public elementary schools. (See Sonnie Penn Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Prince William County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Prince William County Public Schools 39th of 130 Virginia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Sonnie Penn Elementary?

Rank History for Sonnie Penn Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 61.34 418th 1062 60.6%
2006 61.14 422nd 1071 60.6%
2007 46.65 664th 1083 38.7%
2008 71.19 252nd 1081 76.7%
2009 70.18 275th 1082 74.6%
2010 66.95 332nd 1113 70.2%
2011 60.89 434th 1117 61.1%
2012 66.13 338th 1117 69.7%
2013 69.94 306th 1120 72.7%
2014 58.57 462nd 1110 58.4%
2015 44.61 708th 1100 35.6%
2016 43.56 724th 1096 33.9%
2017 53.49 573rd 1099 47.9%
2018 75.69 214th 1097 80.5%
2019 83.59 108th 1105 90.2%
2021 76.55 257th 1103 76.7%
2022 79.07 219th 1109 80.3%
2023 73.59 285th 1114 74.4%
2024 70.26 350th 1114 68.6%
See the entire list of Virginia Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 77.96 46th 245 81.2%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 89.10 20th 300 93.3%
2024 81.62 39th 306 87.3%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 72.07 234th 1036 77.4%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 75.79 241st 1100 78.1%
2024 68.27 358th 1098 67.4%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 27.46 277th 324 14.5%
2024 28.01 303rd 355 14.6%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Military Connected students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 41.43 122nd 182 33.0%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Military Connected Students!

Rank History for Male students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 68.14 346th 1093 68.3%
2024 69.27 346th 1101 68.6%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 35.44 171st 230 25.7%
2024 42.13 166th 238 30.3%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 76.93 97th 579 83.2%
2024 71.88 145th 588 75.3%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 83.04 58th 564 89.7%
2024 84.20 56th 580 90.3%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Sonnie Penn Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 72.53 224th 984 77.2%
2024 66.00 326th 979 66.7%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Virginia 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.

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





Data source: Virginia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Open Quote My kids currently attend Penn. They transferred from Westridge Elementary. I was very nervous and skeptical because Westridge is such a great school. Fortunately, my experience has been so far awesome. The teachers my children have are outstanding (Ms. Adams and Ms. Henry). In 5th grade, I notice that the teachers encourage and expect the 5th graders to apply themselves, take initiative, and be responsible for completing their assignments to help prepare them for middle school.

The principal and staff have been very professional, involved and caring. All I can say at this point, is that the transition from Westridge to Penn has been absolutely great, and I am a very picky and involved parent! Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, January 30, 2015

Open Quote I found out two months after the fact that my child had not been taking any of the ready tests in class. I found out at a conference, in which myself and my wife were told "you should be making sure he is doing these test's or he will not move up to the next grade." DO WHAT, I am sorry but I make sure homework is done and everything is taken care of here, now your going to tell me that we need to be there doing your job. OK pay me and I will, and the staff can go home, I am getting ready to retire anyway. The kids would probably get a better education, the whole staff seems very lazy and act like they don't care, its always the parents fault, especially if you are like us and a military family. Good riddance and thank you PWCS for helping my child move to a much better school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Sonnie Penn Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1999 357 191 17 39 3 n/a n/a 0 607
2000 386 204 26 32 2 n/a n/a -4 646
2001 278 230 21 40 4 n/a n/a 0 573
2002 249 253 45 85 4 n/a n/a 40 676
2003 249 253 45 85 4 n/a n/a 40 676
2004 222 299 64 134 1 n/a n/a 51 771
2005 251 297 90 198 1 n/a n/a 51 888
2006 238 291 94 249 2 n/a n/a 46 920
2007 162 191 66 136 2 n/a n/a 30 587
2008 155 185 56 146 1 n/a n/a 38 581
2009 166 210 68 132 3 n/a n/a 39 618
2010 189 190 69 139 0 n/a n/a 40 627
2011 179 186 66 152 3 6 46 0 638
2012 181 210 68 146 1 5 53 0 664
2013 194 203 62 151 1 4 41 0 656
2014 203 241 73 177 0 4 39 0 737
2015 232 257 71 218 0 4 49 0 831
2016 237 226 88 212 0 3 55 0 821
2017 224 202 107 232 1 4 66 0 836
2018 233 220 121 225 1 1 75 0 876
2019 228 217 131 229 0 0 76 0 881
2020 185 189 94 141 0 0 62 0 671
2021 185 179 112 145 0 0 61 0 682
2022 170 193 122 150 0 0 55 0 690
2023 156 203 150 140 1 0 58 0 708
2024 148 211 161 134 1 1 59 0 715

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 Sonnie Penn Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1999 607 n/a 0.0 19.6
2000 646 n/a 0.0 12
2001 573 33.0 17.4 14.5
2002 676 37.8 17.9 23
2003 676 37.8 17.9 23
2004 771 37.0 20.8 26.5
2005 888 38.0 23.4 27.5
2006 920 44.0 20.9 30.8
2007 587 39.5 14.9 31.8
2008 581 31.0 18.7 29.7
2009 618 31.0 19.9 32.5
2010 627 33.0 19.0 33.6
2011 638 32.5 19.6 36.2
2012 664 29.6 22.4 35.2
2013 656 35.8 18.3 34.3
2014 737 38.1 19.3 34.2
2015 831 45.0 18.4 37.5
2016 821 48.0 17.1 36.3
2017 836 48.2 17.3 35.2
2018 876 50.1 17.4 37.8
2019 881 53.2 16.5 37.2
2020 671 41.5 16.1 30
2021 682 41.1 16.5 n/a
2022 690 39.2 17.5 29.1
2023 708 42.2 16.7 36.6
2024 715 46.4 15.4 39.7

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 Sonnie Penn Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1999 607 n/a 0.0 19.6
2000 646 n/a 0.0 12
2001 573 33.0 17.4 14.5
2002 676 37.8 17.9 23
2003 676 37.8 17.9 23
2004 771 37.0 20.8 26.5
2005 888 38.0 23.4 27.5
2006 920 44.0 20.9 30.8
2007 587 39.5 14.9 31.8
2008 581 31.0 18.7 29.7
2009 618 31.0 19.9 32.5
2010 627 33.0 19.0 33.6
2011 638 32.5 19.6 36.2
2012 664 29.6 22.4 35.2
2013 656 35.8 18.3 34.3
2014 737 38.1 19.3 34.2
2015 831 45.0 18.4 37.5
2016 821 48.0 17.1 36.3
2017 836 48.2 17.3 35.2
2018 876 50.1 17.4 37.8
2019 881 53.2 16.5 37.2
2020 671 41.5 16.1 30
2021 682 41.1 16.5 n/a
2022 690 39.2 17.5 29.1
2023 708 42.2 16.7 36.6
2024 715 46.4 15.4 39.7

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.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Sonnie Penn Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $00 (0.0%) $8,141 (100.0%) $8,141
2020 $59 (0.7%) $8,077 (99.3%) $8,136
2021 $276 (3.2%) $8,410 (96.8%) $8,686

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Sonnie 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 108th of 1105 Elementary schoolsRanks 285th of 1114 Elementary schools
 15.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Sonnie Penn Elementary)9575
 20%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Prince William County Public Schools)8575.4
 9.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8269.1
 12.9%
3rd Grade English Reading (Sonnie Penn Elementary)9378.9
 14.2%
   3rd Grade English Reading (Prince William County Public Schools)7269.9
 2.1%
   3rd Grade English Reading (Virginia)7166.1
 4.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Sonnie Penn Elementary)9081.8
 8.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Prince William County Public Schools)8675.8
 10.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8369.7
 13.3%
4th Grade English Reading (Sonnie Penn Elementary)8883.1
 4.9%
   4th Grade English Reading (Prince William County Public Schools)7877.4
 0.6%
   4th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7572.7
 2.3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Sonnie Penn Elementary)9478.2
 15.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Prince William County Public Schools)8474.3
 9.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8167
 14%
5th Grade Science (Sonnie Penn Elementary)8977.4
 11.6%
   5th Grade Science (Prince William County Public Schools)8172.3
 8.7%
   5th Grade Science (Virginia)7966
 13%
5th Grade English Reading (Sonnie Penn Elementary)9178.2
 12.8%
   5th Grade English Reading (Prince William County Public Schools)8076.1
 3.9%
   5th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7871.4
 6.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students881708
 19.6%
African American217203
 6.5%
American Indian01
Asian131150
 14.5%
Hispanic229140
 38.9%
Pacific Islander00
White228156
 31.6%
Two or More Races7658
 23.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients37.2%36.6%
 0.6%


Schools Near Sonnie Penn Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Sonnie Penn Elementary

Sonnie Penn Elementary ranks 350th of 1114 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 715 students attended Sonnie Penn Elementary.

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

High : Charles J. Colgan Senior High

Students at Sonnie Penn Elementary are 30% African American, 23% Asian, 21% White, 19% Hispanic, 8% 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 Virginia 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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