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Very Good

#927 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 29% in state

Blackwell Institute

Middle School · Detroit Public Schools Community District

9330 SHOEMAKER ST, Detroit, MI 48213

Enrollment

117

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

7.1

Grades

2nd – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Detroit

#28 of 150

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#81 of 497

In district

#23 of 99

Detroit Public Schools Community District

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Blackwell Institute

Blackwell Institute serves 117 students in grades 2 through 8 on Shoemaker Street in Detroit, offering a focused middle school environment with an impressive 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. With 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that contributes to its exceptional performance ranking. The school has earned a strong 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #43 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile among Michigan schools.

This outstanding ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite serving a community facing economic challenges. Located in the 48213 ZIP code area, Blackwell Institute serves families in a neighborhood where the median household income is $33,659 and 37% of residents live below the poverty line. The surrounding community has a median home value of $45,700, and about 8% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Despite these socioeconomic challenges, the school's remarkable state ranking demonstrates its ability to provide quality education and support student achievement. Blackwell Institute operates as a regular public school within Detroit's large urban setting, serving as a beacon of academic excellence in Wayne County's educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 117 students, Blackwell Institute is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Blackwell Institute 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 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.95 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics2.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Math vs. State Avg-34.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.9 pts
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,928

Blackwell Institute — Students at Blackwell Institute score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 6.8%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 13.3%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 17 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
ELA
25%
2022
Math
7.4%
ELA
12.4%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Blackwell Institute Compares

See how Blackwell Institute performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
71th percentile in MI
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

9330 SHOEMAKER ST, Detroit, MI 48213

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Blackwell Institute may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Moses Field Center (rated 9.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The James and Grace Lee Boggs School (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, DETROIT WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Covenant High School East Detroit 0.1 mi 6.2
AL Holmes Academy of Blended Learning Detroit 0.6 mi 5.2
Detroit Prep Detroit 1.2 mi 5.3
Barack Obama Leadership Academy Detroit 1.2 mi 6.5
Nichols ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.6 mi 6.0
The SER Learning Academy East Detroit 1.2 mi
DETROIT WALDORF SCHOOL Detroit 1.7 mi 7.7
The James and Grace Lee Boggs School Detroit 1.8 mi 7.9
Hutchinson ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.8 mi 6.4
Garvey Academy Detroit 2.1 mi 7.5
Southeastern High School Detroit 1.8 mi 5.5
Edward Duke Ellington at Beckham Detroit 1.9 mi 6.9
Oakland International Academy K1 Detroit 1.7 mi 2.9
Oakland International Academy Elementary Detroit 1.8 mi 5.4
Moses Field Center Detroit 2.5 mi 9.8
Oakland International Academy Middle Detroit 1.9 mi 5.7
Detroit Enterprise Academy Detroit 2.2 mi 5.3
Brenda Scott Academy for Theatre Arts Detroit 2.8 mi 6.1
CapstoneWayne Co Juvenile Detention Fac Detroit 2.1 mi 7.1
Bridge Academy East Hamtramck 2.2 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48213 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$33,755

Median Home Value

$52,100

Median Rent

$837/mo

Population

19,869

College Educated

7.2%

Homeownership

59.9%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

36.1%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Blackwell Institute has a median household income of $33,755. It is a community where 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $52,100, with a median rent of $837/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Reese Middle School Reese, MI 7.1
Byron Area Middle School Byron, MI 7.0
Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center Battle Creek, MI 7.2
Ann Arbor Trail Magnet School Detroit, MI 7.4
Baldwin Junior High School Baldwin, MI 6.7
Dearborn STEM Middle School Dearborn Heights, MI 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Blackwell Institute

What grades does Blackwell Institute serve?

Blackwell Institute serves students in grades 2nd through 8th.

How many students attend Blackwell Institute?

Blackwell Institute has an enrollment of approximately 117 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Blackwell Institute?

The student-teacher ratio at Blackwell Institute is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Blackwell Institute rank in MI?

Blackwell Institute is ranked #927 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Blackwell Institute's MySchoolScout rating?

Blackwell Institute has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Blackwell Institute?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Blackwell Institute has 6.8% math proficiency and 13.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Blackwell Institute a charter school?

No, Blackwell Institute is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Blackwell Institute a Title I school?

No, Blackwell Institute is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blackwell Institute?

87.2% of students at Blackwell Institute 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
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
51 Good Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,148/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Detroit). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
2nd – 8th
Enrollment
117
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Wayne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Detroit Public Schools Community District
District Enrollment
48,271
Schools in District
106
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,138
District Rank
#23 of 99

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 methodology

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