Needs Improvement
#1677 of 1,793 schools in MA
Balch
Elementary School · Norwood
1170 Washington Street PO Box 67, Norwood, MA 02062
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
3.7
Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
3.7
Grades
1st – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#1,677 of 1,793
In Norwood
#8 of 8
public schools
In district
#8 of 8
Norwood
Shortlisting around Balch?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Balch
Elementary School in Norwood · grades 1st – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Dr. Philip O. Coakley Middle School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
F a Cleveland
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Balch
Balch is a public elementary school in Norwood, MA, part of Norwood. Balch serves approximately 306 students, and covers grades 1st-5th, and has a 9.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Balch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,677 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Balch show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.0
- MA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 9.6:1 students to teachers, Balch sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Balch — Students at Balch score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 82 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.9/10.
How Balch Compares
See how Balch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1170 Washington Street PO Box 67, Norwood, MA 02062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Balch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. William E Sheehan (rated 9.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Westwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Martha Jones (rated 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Westwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Old Post Road (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby East Walpole), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Norwood, see our Norwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Philip O. Coakley Middle School Norwood | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| F A Cleveland Norwood | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| NORWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Norwood | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Norwood High Norwood | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| ST CATHERINE OF SIENA SCHOOL Norwood | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School East Walpole | 1.2 mi | 3.9 |
| George F. Willett Norwood | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Cornelius M Callahan Norwood | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Charles J Prescott Norwood | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| John P Oldham Norwood | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Norfolk County Agricultural Walpole | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Old Post Road East Walpole | 2.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Martha Jones Westwood | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Bird Middle East Walpole | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| XAVERIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL Westwood | 2.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Fisher Walpole | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Westwood Integrated Preschool Westwood | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Westwood High Westwood | 2.8 mi | 8.6 |
| William E Sheehan Westwood | 2.6 mi | 9.6 |
| E W Thurston Middle Westwood | 3.0 mi | 9.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,110
Median Home Value
$613,500
Median Rent
$2,056/mo
Population
31,380
College Educated
53.1%
Homeownership
51.8%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
39.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Irwin M. Jacobs Elementary School New Bedford, MA | 3.7 |
| John B Devalles New Bedford, MA | 3.7 |
| Lawlor Early Childhood Center Lawrence, MA | 3.7 |
| Margaret L Donovan Randolph, MA | 3.7 |
| Mosier South Hadley, MA | 3.7 |
| Center Peabody, MA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Balch
What grades does Balch serve?
Balch serves students in grades 1st through 5th.
How many students attend Balch?
Balch has an enrollment of approximately 306 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Balch?
The student-teacher ratio at Balch is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Balch rank in MA?
Balch ranks #1,677 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Balch's MySchoolScout rating?
Balch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Balch?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Balch has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Balch a charter school?
No, Balch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Balch a Title I school?
No, Balch is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 5th
- Enrollment
- 306
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Norfolk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.4%
- Phone
- (781) 762-0694
Resources & Links
District
Norwood- District Enrollment
- 3,545
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,812
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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