Average
#1652 of 3,192 schools in MI
Blackwell Institute
Middle School · Detroit Public Schools Community District
9330 SHOEMAKER ST, Detroit, MI 48213
Enrollment
117
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
2nd – 8th
Enrollment
117
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
2nd – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#1,652 of 3,192
In Detroit
#83 of 178
public schools
In district
#66 of 99
Detroit Public Schools Community District
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Blackwell Institute
Middle School in Detroit · grades 2nd – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Covenant High School East
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Al Holmes Academy of Blended Learning
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Blackwell Institute
Blackwell Institute is a public middle school in Detroit, MI, part of Detroit Public Schools Community District. Blackwell Institute serves approximately 117 students, and covers grades 2nd-8th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Blackwell Institute has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,652 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Blackwell Institute show 6% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 7.0
- MI avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
At 117 students, Blackwell Institute is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Blackwell Institute 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.
93% of students at Blackwell Institute were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Blackwell Institute — Students at Blackwell Institute score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 24 test records from MI 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: 9.8/10.
How Blackwell Institute Compares
See how Blackwell Institute performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 9.9/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The James and Grace Lee Boggs School (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DETROIT WALDORF SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 5.0 |
| AL Holmes Academy of Blended Learning Detroit | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Detroit Prep Detroit | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Barack Obama Leadership Academy Detroit | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Nichols ElementaryMiddle School Detroit | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| 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 | 7.8 |
| Hutchinson ElementaryMiddle School Detroit | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Garvey Academy Detroit | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Southeastern High School Detroit | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Edward Duke Ellington at Beckham Detroit | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Oakland International Academy K1 Detroit | 1.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Oakland International Academy Elementary Detroit | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Moses Field Center Detroit | 2.5 mi | 9.9 |
| Oakland International Academy Middle Detroit | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Detroit Enterprise Academy Detroit | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Brenda Scott Academy for Theatre Arts Detroit | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| CapstoneWayne Co Juvenile Detention Fac Detroit | 2.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Bridge Academy East Hamtramck | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Reese Middle School Reese, MI | 6.1 |
| Addison Middle School Addison, MI | 6.0 |
| Goodwillie Environmental School Grand Rapids, MI | 6.4 |
| PINE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Holland, MI | 5.9 |
| Vulcan Middle School Norway, MI | 5.8 |
| Baldwin Junior High School Baldwin, MI | 5.7 |
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 ranks #1,652 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Blackwell Institute's MySchoolScout rating?
Blackwell Institute has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Blackwell Institute?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Blackwell Institute has 6% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 93.2%
- Phone
- (313) 866-4391
Resources & Links
District
Detroit Public Schools Community District- District Enrollment
- 48,271
- Schools in District
- 106
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,138
- District Rank
- #66 of 99
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