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Needs Improvement

#2801 of 2,846 schools in PA

Blockson MS

Middle School · Norristown Area SD

1315 W Marshall St, Norristown, PA 19401

Enrollment

727

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

2.6

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,801 of 2,846

In Norristown

#12 of 13

public schools

In district

#11 of 12

Norristown Area SD

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Blockson MS

2.6/10

Middle School in Norristown · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Marshall Street EL Sch

4.2/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Roosevelt Campus of the Norristown Area HS

1.9/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Blockson MS

Blockson MS is a public middle school in Norristown, PA, part of Norristown Area SD. Blockson MS serves approximately 727 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Blockson MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,801 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Blockson MS show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.7
  • PA avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

41% of students at Blockson MS 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 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.7% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.8% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-31.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.6 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected-17.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,833
Chronic Absenteeism40.6%

Blockson MS — Students at Blockson MS score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 34.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.2% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 38 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
60%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
64%
ELA
53%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
19%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
3.7%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
11.9%
ELA
20.9%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Blockson MS Compares

See how Blockson MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.6/10
2th percentile in PA
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1315 W Marshall St, Norristown, PA 19401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Blockson MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Upper Merion Area MS (rated 6.3/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby King Of Prussia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eisenhower MS (rated 4.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Norristown, see our Norristown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Marshall Street El Sch Norristown 0.3 mi 4.2
Roosevelt Campus of the Norristown Area HS Norristown 0.9 mi 1.9
Whitehall El Sch Norristown 1.2 mi 4.1
Davenport El Sch Norristown 1.0 mi 4.2
Norristown Area HS Norristown 1.4 mi 4.5
Eisenhower MS Norristown 1.2 mi 4.0
Bridgeport El Sch Bridgeport 1.9 mi 4.9
Hancock El Sch Norristown 1.6 mi 4.5
THE PATHWAY SCHOOL Norristown 1.6 mi 9.1
Paul V Fly El Sch Norristown 2.2 mi 5.7
Candlebrook El Sch King Of Prussia 2.1 mi 8.0
VISITATION BVM SCHOOL Trooper 2.0 mi 5.8
Cole Manor El Sch Norristown 1.9 mi 4.5
Upper Merion Area MS King Of Prussia 2.3 mi 6.3
Caley El Sch King Of Prussia 2.1 mi 8.8
Upper Merion Area HS King Of Prussia 2.4 mi 6.9
Ray S. Musselman Learning Center Norristown 2.1 mi 5.1
FOR KIDS SAKE LLC King Of Prussia 2.4 mi
SHORT STUFF AND CO INC Norristown 2.1 mi
CAPSTONE ACADEMY East Norriton 2.2 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 19401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,646

Median Home Value

$225,700

Median Rent

$1,392/mo

Population

43,099

College Educated

27.9%

Homeownership

44.2%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

17.4%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hazleton El/MS Hazleton, PA 2.6
Muhlenberg Jr HS Reading, PA 2.5
Northeast Intrmd Sch Scranton, PA 2.7
Northeast MS Reading, PA 2.7
Pittston Area MS Pittston, PA 2.5
West Scranton Intrmd Sch Scranton, PA 2.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Blockson MS

What grades does Blockson MS serve?

Blockson MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Blockson MS?

Blockson MS has an enrollment of approximately 727 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Blockson MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Blockson MS is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Blockson MS rank in PA?

Blockson MS ranks #2,801 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Blockson MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Blockson MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 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 Blockson MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Blockson MS has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Blockson MS a charter school?

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

Is Blockson MS a Title I school?

No, Blockson MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blockson MS?

100.1% of students at Blockson MS 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
727
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Montgomery County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.6%

District

Norristown Area SD
District Enrollment
7,662
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,833
District Rank
#11 of 12

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