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William Penn Elementary School

CPS choice · PK,K-8

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

At a glance

Instruction was rated ‘Strong’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages). On the 2025 IAR, 8% of students met or exceeded standards, in the lower quarter of CPS elementary schools with published results (ISBE Report Card 2025). In 2025–26, 2 applications were recorded for 1 offers (GoCPS, 2025–26 school year - the most recent seat data SchoolNav has).

Cultural fit
59% of students were chronically absent in 2025 - above what's typical for CPS elementary schools (ISBE Report Card 2025).
Social-emotional fit
The school’s supportive environment was rated ‘Weak’ on the 5Essentials survey (5Essentials spring 2024 survey - benchmarked levels relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages).

Computed from published data with its source and year on every clause - a description, never a grade.

Basics

CPS-published · verified Nov 2024

Address
1616 S AVERS AVE
Neighborhood
North Lawndale
Phone
(773)534-1665
Hours
Unknown - not verified yet
Website
https://penn.cps.edu
Before and after care

Supplemental care not found.

SchoolNav searched the school’s website and the main care providers’ pages in Sep 2026 and found no before or after care. Some programs are never posted online, so ask the school office or on a tour.

Arts and creative

Art Studio, Choir/Chorus, Piano/Keyboard

From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.

Sports

Cheerleading, Basketball

From the school’s CPS profile, for the 2026-27 school year. Checked Sep 2026. Offerings change each year, so confirm on a tour.

Climate survey
Involved families
Not published - too few responses or not surveyed
Supportive environment
Weak
Ambitious instruction
Strong
Effective leaders
Not published - too few responses or not surveyed
Collaborative teachers
Not published - too few responses or not surveyed
Safety (student-reported)
Very Weak
Overall organization
Moderately Organized

UChicago 5Essentials levels from the spring 2024 survey (CPS Progress Reports SY2425, verified 2026-09-25) - benchmarked categories relative to Illinois statewide, spring 2013, not percentages. A school can answer mostly positively and still rate below the benchmark typical.

5Essentials - the latest survey in detail

Academic Press is rated above the CPS average; Collective Responsibility, Teacher Influence, and Parent Influence on Decision Making in Schools are rated below it this year.

From the 2026 CPS 5Essentials survey (25-26). Scores are benchmarked 1–99 (not percentages) - higher is stronger, and each is shown against the CPS average that same year. This is a newer survey on a different benchmark than the component levels above, so the two aren’t directly comparable.

Show all measures ▸

Ambitious Instruction

51 ▼ below the CPS average (56)

Supportive Environment

41 ▼ below the CPS average (51)

Collaborative Teachers

19 ▼ below the CPS average (52)

Effective Leaders

18 ▼ below the CPS average (52)

Involved Families

19 ▼ below the CPS average (53)

Supplemental measures

Additional survey topics UChicago reports outside the five core measures.

CPS-published · verified Jul 2026Response rates: students 98%, teachers 55%, parents 0%Full 2026 measures report (UChicago)

UChicago Consortium — the 2026 cycle (school year 25-26) is re-benchmarked to spring 2024 (SY25+); it is NOT level-comparable to the spring-2013-benchmarked component levels shown elsewhere.

Pre-K

CPS-published· verified Sep 2026

This school has Pre-K. Families apply for Pre-K through Chicago Early Learning, not GoCPS.

  • Full-day Pre-K · for children age 4

    Seats: full, with a waitlist, as of Sep 24, 2026.

Quality rating
ExceleRate Silver Circle of Quality

Apply through Chicago Early Learning · How Pre-K applications work

Programs (1)

ProgramEntry gradesHow seats are offeredTest requiredEvidence

Open Enrollment (general program, seats by lottery)

Open enrollment

K–8Lottery
NoCPS-published · verified Oct 2026

Local School Council

CPS-published· verified Oct 2026

The Local School Council is a group of parents, staff, and neighbors who help run this school. They vote on the budget and the school plan. Their meetings are open to the public, so you can go and listen.

Next meetings

  • Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 2:45 PM
  • Wednesday, December 16, 2026 at 2:45 PM
  • Wednesday, January 13, 2027 at 2:45 PM

CPS lists the date and time. Ask the school office where the meeting will be held.

Members for 2026 to 2028

  • Alexander Phillips · Principal
  • Elisha White · Parent
  • Teresa Jenkins · Parent
  • Bianca James-Williams · Parent
  • Donielle Howell · Parent
  • Desiree Prater · Parent
  • Sharon Jenkins · Parent
  • Latonya Webb · Community member
  • Marbriana Evans · Community member
  • Marvette D Boyd · Teacher
  • Louis J Lane · Teacher
  • Dement D Calcote · School staff (non-teaching)
  • Erianna E Hines · Student

CPS keeps the official list of council meetings and members. See the CPS council list.

Parent questions & conversation

What parents and people who know this school are asking, answering, and talking about - their own words, experiences and opinions rather than verified facts.

Parent notes on this school are visible to signed-in Chicago families. Sign in to read and ask.

SchoolNav is not affiliated with CPS. Details change - each fact above shows when it was last verified. Application decisions should always be confirmed in GoCPS.