Average
#951 of 1,823 schools in IN
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
6.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
440
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.2
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In East Chicago
#6 of 9
public schools
Indiana middle schools
#151 of 330
In district
#5 of 7
School City of East Chicago
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Joseph Block Middle School
Joseph Block Middle School is a regular public middle school located in East Chicago, Indiana, serving students from seventh to eighth grade. The school has an enrollment of 440 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11:1 with 40 full-time equivalent teachers. Joseph Block Middle School is situated in a large suburban area, providing a setting that blends urban conveniences with the spacious feel of suburbia.
The academic performance at Joseph Block Middle School shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and its state ranking of 762 out of 1831 schools in Indiana. In terms of test scores, the school has an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 11% and a Math proficiency rate of 5%, suggesting areas where focused attention could lead to positive changes. Joseph Block Middle School is part of a community that values education and supports students as they navigate the challenges of middle school.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Joseph Block Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Joseph Block Middle School — Students at Joseph Block Middle School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 11 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.0/10.
How Joseph Block Middle School Compares
See how Joseph Block Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 6.05% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 16.22% (2025).
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 Benjamin Harrison Elementary Sch (rated 7.5/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gary Lighthouse Charter School (rated 7.5/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Gary), which scores notably higher. For more schools in East Chicago, see our East Chicago schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joseph Block Middle School has a median household income of $41,071. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $92,400, with a median rent of $820/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bedford Middle School Bedford, IN | 6.2 |
| Bluffton-Harrison Middle School Bluffton, IN | 6.2 |
| Greencastle Middle School Greencastle, IN | 6.2 |
| John R. Wooden Middle School Martinsville, IN | 6.2 |
| Martin T Krueger Middle School Michigan City, IN | 6.2 |
| Owen Valley Middle School Spencer, IN | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #951 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Joseph Block Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph Block Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Joseph Block Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joseph Block Middle School has 6.0% math proficiency and 16.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,447/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (East Chicago). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (219) 391-4084
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
School City of East Chicago- District Enrollment
- 3,074
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,716
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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