The top reported proficiency rate is 72% in Science. The lowest is 46% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on William Penn Ms
William Penn Middle School is a traditional public middle school serving grades six through eight in Yardley, part of the Pennsbury School District. The school's enrollment sits at a typical mid-sized middle school level, with roughly equal distribution across the three grades. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the student body is predominantly white, with modest shares of Asian, Hispanic, and Black students, plus smaller populations of multiracial and Native American students.
On state assessments, William Penn shows mixed academic results. In English language arts, about half the students performed at or above proficiency, placing the school above the midpoint among Bucks County's tested districts. Mathematics proficiency was noticeably lower, at just under half the cohort, which represents a softer performance in that subject. Science results, from an earlier assessment year, were stronger at around three-quarters proficiency. Overall proficiency across tested subjects puts the school above the midpoint relative to other districts in the county, though the mathematics score in particular may warrant a parent's closer look.
The school's peer environment draws from Yardley and surrounding Lower Makefield, a mixed residential area where the walkable historic borough core gives way to more typical suburban ranch neighborhoods. The housing market in the 19067 zip code centers on Yardley and Lower Makefield properties that are moderately priced relative to the region, with home values at a level higher than the state benchmark but lower than the national median. Rents are modest relative to regional norms. The area around Yardley has seen incremental residential development, including several new single-family and townhouse communities on the periphery, and the borough itself maintains a strong civic identity with walkable downtown anchors like Lake Afton, Buttonwood Park, and a renovated Main Street with shops and restaurants.
Parents should be aware of the Pennsbury School District's financial trajectory. The district is funding a major rebuild of Pennsbury High School without a voter referendum, and this financing plan carries an estimated property tax increase extending into the early 2060s. The district has also adopted the maximum allowable tax increases in recent budget cycles and is drawing from reserves to cover deficits. For a family considering the area, this means property tax obligations will likely rise meaningfully over time.
Data on special education services, English learner enrollment, and detailed course or program offerings at William Penn were not available, so a parent may want to contact the school directly to understand support structures for students with those needs. The school's attendance and discipline data were also not provided.
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