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Average

#871 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 48% in state

Joseph Block Middle School

Middle School · School City of East Chicago

2700 Cardinal Dr, East Chicago, IN 46312

Enrollment

440

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

6.5

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#871 of 1,823

In East Chicago

#1 of 9

public schools

In district

#1 of 7

School City of East Chicago

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Joseph Block Middle School

6.5/10

Middle School in East Chicago · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

George Washington Elementary Sch

2.6/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

East Chicago Lighthouse

3.9/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Joseph Block Middle School

Joseph Block Middle School is a public middle school in East Chicago, IN, part of School City of East Chicago. Joseph Block Middle School serves approximately 440 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Joseph Block Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #871 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Joseph Block Middle School show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above IN schools
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • IN avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Joseph Block Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.2% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-29.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.9 pts
Overall Proficiency11% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,716
Chronic Absenteeism25.9%

Joseph Block Middle School — Students at Joseph Block Middle School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.6% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 31.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.5% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 33 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
50%
ELA
58%
2010
Math
35%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
35%
ELA
38%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
11%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
11%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
13%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
13%
2022
Math
4%
2025
Math
6%
ELA
16.1%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.

How Joseph Block Middle School Compares

See how Joseph Block Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in IN
Academic
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2700 Cardinal Dr, East Chicago, IN 46312

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joseph Block Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MORNING STAR ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Hammond), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST STANISLAUS SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BISHOP NOLL INSTITUTE/CATHOLIC DIOECE OF GARY (rated 7.2/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Hammond), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in East Chicago, see our East Chicago schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
George Washington Elementary Sch East Chicago 0.1 mi 2.6
East Chicago Lighthouse East Chicago 0.6 mi 3.9
East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy East Chicago 0.8 mi 4.1
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School East Chicago 1.1 mi 3.2
Warren G Harding Elementary School Hammond 2.7 mi 5.2
Carrie Gosch PK Center East Chicago 2.1 mi 2.6
Benjamin Harrison Elementary Sch East Chicago 2.2 mi 3.5
ST STANISLAUS SCHOOL East Chicago 2.3 mi 7.2
William McKinley Elementary School East Chicago 2.3 mi 3.0
East Chicago Central High School East Chicago 2.4 mi 6.5
Morton Senior High School Hammond 3.3 mi 4.3
Excel Center - Hammond Hammond 3.3 mi 2.4
West Side Leadership Academy Gary 3.2 mi 5.9
BISHOP NOLL INSTITUTE/CATHOLIC DIOECE OF GARY Hammond 2.7 mi 7.2
Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond 3.7 mi 4.0
Morton Elementary School Hammond 3.6 mi 2.5
MORNING STAR ACADEMY Hammond 4.0 mi 8.2
Gary Lighthouse Charter School Gary 3.5 mi 5.6
Joseph Hess Elementary School Hammond 4.1 mi 3.1
Aspire Charter Academy Gary 3.8 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,071

Median Home Value

$92,400

Median Rent

$820/mo

Population

26,158

College Educated

9.9%

Homeownership

44.1%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

27%

Median Age

36.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Harold C Urey Middle School Walkerton, IN 6.5
John R. Wooden Middle School Martinsville, IN 6.5
Northwest Community Middle School Indianapolis, IN 6.5
Bluffton-Harrison Middle School Bluffton, IN 6.4
Greencastle Middle School Greencastle, IN 6.4
Lewis Cass Junior High School Walton, IN 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joseph Block Middle School

What grades does Joseph Block Middle School serve?

Joseph Block Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Joseph Block Middle School?

Joseph Block Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 440 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph Block Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Joseph Block Middle School is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joseph Block Middle School rank in IN?

Joseph Block Middle School ranks #871 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Joseph Block Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Joseph Block Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Joseph Block Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joseph Block Middle School has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Joseph Block Middle School a charter school?

No, Joseph Block Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Joseph Block Middle School a Title I school?

No, Joseph Block Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joseph Block Middle School?

80.5% of students at Joseph Block Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
48 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
440
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.9%

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