Below Average
#1603 of 1,791 schools in MA
Balch
Elementary School · Norwood
1170 Washington Street PO Box 67, Norwood, MA 02062
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
4.4
Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
4.4
Grades
1st – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Norwood
#8 of 8
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#887 of 1,022
In district
#8 of 8
Norwood
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Balch
Balch Elementary School is a regular public school located in the heart of Norwood, Massachusetts. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Balch offers an educational experience for 306 young learners with a dedicated team of 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The student-teacher ratio stands at 9.6:1, which suggests a supportive and nurturing environment where each child can receive individual attention.
Academically, the school ranks in the 22nd percentile among Massachusetts schools, reflecting areas for growth but also highlighting the potential for improvement. Students show proficiency rates of around 32% in ELA/Reading, 34% in Math, and 34% in Science, indicating a focus on student development across multiple subjects. Balch Elementary is situated in a large suburban area that offers a variety of community resources and activities.
The school’s setting provides students with opportunities to engage both inside the classroom and through local programs and events.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Balch offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Balch — Students at Balch score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 60 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: 3.4/10.
How Balch Compares
See how Balch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 27% (2022).
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 9.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Westwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Martha Jones (rated 8.0/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Westwood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Old Post Road (rated 7.6/10, 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 | 6.3 |
| F A Cleveland Norwood | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| NORWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Norwood | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Norwood High Norwood | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| ST CATHERINE OF SIENA SCHOOL Norwood | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School East Walpole | 1.2 mi | 3.4 |
| George F. Willett Norwood | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Cornelius M Callahan Norwood | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Charles J Prescott Norwood | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| John P Oldham Norwood | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Norfolk County Agricultural Walpole | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Old Post Road East Walpole | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Martha Jones Westwood | 2.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Bird Middle East Walpole | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| XAVERIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL Westwood | 2.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Fisher Walpole | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Westwood Integrated Preschool Westwood | 2.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Westwood High Westwood | 2.8 mi | 8.5 |
| William E Sheehan Westwood | 2.6 mi | 9.2 |
| E W Thurston Middle Westwood | 3.0 mi | 9.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Balch has a median household income of $97,110. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $613,500, with a median rent of $2,056/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood Center Melrose, MA | 4.4 |
| Hoosac Valley Elementary School Adams, MA | 4.4 |
| Jacob Hiatt Magnet Worcester, MA | 4.4 |
| Lunenburg Primary School Lunenburg, MA | 4.4 |
| ST RAPHAEL SCHOOL Medford, MA | 4.4 |
| South Elementary Stoughton, MA | 4.4 |
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 is ranked #1603 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Balch's MySchoolScout rating?
Balch has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Balch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Balch has 33.7% math proficiency and 32.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- Elevated (883/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Norwood). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (781) 762-0694
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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