Blockson Middle School

Summary:

Blockson Middle School is a public middle school located in Norristown, PA, serving grades 5-8 with a total enrollment of 798 students. It is part of the Norristown Area School District, which is ranked 500 out of 610 school districts in Pennsylvania and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Blockson Middle School has consistently been ranked in the bottom quarter of Pennsylvania middle schools over the past decade.

Blockson Middle School significantly underperforms compared to the state and district averages on PSSA tests. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 11.7% of Blockson students were proficient or better in Math, compared to 22.7% for the Norristown district and 40.4% statewide. Similarly, only 20.8% were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 29.4% for the district and 53% statewide. Blockson also struggles to support the academic achievement of its diverse student population, ranking in the bottom 20% of Pennsylvania middle schools for Hispanic, Multi-racial, and English Language Learner students, as well as the bottom 15% for students with disabilities and the bottom 10% for low socioeconomic status students.

When comparing Blockson Middle School to other middle schools in the Norristown Area School District, such as East Norriton Middle School and Eisenhower Middle School, Blockson consistently underperforms on academic measures. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, East Norriton had 28.4% of students proficient or better in Math, compared to Blockson's 11.7%. The academic achievement gap is even more pronounced when comparing Blockson to middle schools in higher-performing districts like Tredyffrin-Easttown, Radnor, and Lower Merion, where over 70% of students are proficient or better in Math and English Language Arts.


Detail:

Public 5-8

 1315 W Marshall St
       Norristown, PA  19401-4263


(610) 275-6870

District: Norristown Area School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
765th of 891 Pennsylvania Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,397 Help


Students who attend Blockson Middle School usually attend:

High:    Norristown Area High School

Feeder schools for Blockson Middle School:

Elementary:    Davenport Elementary School
    Marshall Street Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.4 Help
Number of students:  798

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
56.9%
African American:
29.6%
Two or more races:
7.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


 See top rated Pennsylvania middle schools

 Compare Blockson Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Blockson Middle School ranks worse than 85.9% of middle schools in Pennsylvania. It also ranks last among 3 ranked middle schools in the Norristown Area School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 12.54. (See more...)
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Blockson Middle School has the smallest middle school student body size in the Norristown Area School District. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (56.9%), African American (29.6%), two or more races (7.5%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Norristown Area School District. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Blockson Middle School is 17.4, which is the highest among 3 middle schools in the Norristown Area School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Blockson Middle School employs 45.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Blockson Middle School is $18,397. 1 middle schools in the Norristown Area School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Blockson Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Blockson Middle School 765th of 891 Pennsylvania public middle schools. (See Blockson Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:


Norristown Area School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Norristown Area School District 500th of 610 Pennsylvania school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Blockson Middle School?

Rank History for Blockson Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Blockson Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 18.23 550th 643 14.5%
2004 41.20 475th 663 28.4%
2005 33.46 532nd 687 22.6%
2006 24.61 607th 736 17.5%
2007 29.89 600th 749 19.9%
2008 31.16 585th 753 22.3%
2009 24.99 634th 770 17.7%
2010 39.36 595th 805 26.1%
2011 35.22 634th 825 23.2%
2012 33.71 634th 834 24.0%
2013 29.85 586th 758 22.7%
2014 28.94 567th 728 22.1%
2015 24.80 626th 835 25.0%
2016 29.34 620th 870 28.7%
2017 25.77 640th 877 27.0%
2018 21.10 660th 861 23.3%
2019 16.84 704th 891 21.0%
2021 16.92 654th 797 17.9%
2022 12.18 756th 883 14.4%
2023 10.09 797th 893 10.8%
2024 12.54 765th 891 14.1%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Blockson Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 9.12 179th 187 4.3%
2024 14.57 185th 199 7.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Blockson Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 26.79 120th 143 16.1%
2024 23.22 135th 150 10.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Blockson Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 14.75 759th 874 13.2%
2024 14.79 759th 877 13.5%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Blockson Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 11.65 756th 860 12.1%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Blockson Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 26.62 506th 660 23.3%
2024 31.91 447th 672 33.5%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Blockson Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 13.64 735th 870 15.5%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Blockson Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 30.39 293rd 421 30.4%
2024 29.01 293rd 408 28.2%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Blockson Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 19.88 309th 362 14.6%
2024 24.56 285th 362 21.3%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Dept of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Blockson Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 







Data source: Pennsylvania Dept of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Open Quote I don't recommend this school to anyone. The school is 95 years old, and the inside has never been remodeled. The school has a mold/mildew problem. There's rodents, insects, and the cafeteria food is horrible. The fighting is out of control, and the students are very disrespectful to teachers, disruptive in class, and more than 30 students in each classroom. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Blockson Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 367 208 25 15 0 n/a n/a 0 615
1989 348 190 31 11 0 n/a n/a 0 580
1990 250 174 15 17 0 n/a n/a 0 456
1991 332 204 20 20 0 n/a n/a 0 576
1992 247 186 13 27 3 n/a n/a 0 476
1993 266 187 31 32 0 n/a n/a 0 516
1994 296 223 30 40 4 n/a n/a 0 593
1995 292 222 23 51 1 n/a n/a 0 589
1996 292 222 23 51 1 n/a n/a 0 589
1997 281 236 21 57 1 n/a n/a 0 596
1998 277 226 23 60 1 n/a n/a 0 587
1999 274 246 19 67 0 n/a n/a 0 606
2000 279 283 17 77 0 n/a n/a 0 656
2001 262 301 14 55 0 n/a n/a 0 632
2002 223 380 12 65 2 n/a n/a 0 682
2003 223 380 12 65 2 n/a n/a 0 682
2004 187 369 12 100 2 n/a n/a 0 670
2005 185 380 15 116 3 n/a n/a 0 699
2006 166 382 10 139 0 n/a n/a 0 697
2007 158 290 9 95 0 n/a n/a 0 552
2008 124 279 6 102 1 n/a n/a 4 516
2009 115 254 4 114 0 n/a n/a 4 491
2010 106 259 3 98 0 n/a n/a 7 473
2011 110 284 2 107 0 0 8 0 511
2012 104 285 4 117 0 0 9 0 519
2013 88 276 7 147 0 0 23 0 541
2014 71 223 10 164 0 0 36 0 504
2015 66 202 8 200 0 0 46 0 522
2016 73 201 6 201 0 0 55 0 536
2017 88 217 6 254 0 0 83 0 648
2018 88 237 7 306 0 0 80 0 718
2019 86 235 7 353 0 0 86 0 767
2020 66 252 6 384 0 0 69 0 777
2021 54 227 8 426 0 0 58 0 773
2022 51 239 5 439 4 0 59 0 797
2023 43 236 3 454 2 0 60 0 798

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Blockson Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 615 43.0 14.3 n/a
1989 580 47.0 12.3 n/a
1990 456 39.0 11.6 0
1991 576 52.0 11.0 n/a
1992 476 44.0 10.8 n/a
1993 516 40.0 12.9 n/a
1994 593 39.0 15.2 n/a
1995 589 43.0 13.7 n/a
1996 589 43.0 13.7 n/a
1997 596 44.0 13.5 n/a
1998 587 46.0 12.8 n/a
1999 606 45.0 13.5 n/a
2000 656 47.0 14.0 64.5
2001 632 46.0 13.7 64.6
2002 682 47.0 14.5 66.1
2003 682 47.0 14.5 66.1
2004 670 48.8 13.7 59.3
2005 699 47.8 14.6 64.5
2006 697 44.0 15.8 70.2
2007 552 44.7 12.3 64.5
2008 516 47.8 10.8 74.8
2009 491 49.5 9.9 76.4
2010 473 46.2 10.2 73.6
2011 511 42.9 11.9 81
2012 519 45.9 11.3 81.1
2013 541 45.4 11.9 83.7
2014 504 46.1 10.9 84.1
2015 522 47.0 11.1 87.4
2016 536 46.0 11.6 88.4
2017 648 46.7 13.8 99.1
2018 718 48.7 14.7 99.7
2019 767 48.7 15.7 100
2020 777 52.1 14.9 99.9
2021 773 52.6 14.6 99.6
2022 797 52.6 15.1 97.5
2023 798 45.8 17.4 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Blockson Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 615 43.0 14.3 n/a
1989 580 47.0 12.3 n/a
1990 456 39.0 11.6 0
1991 576 52.0 11.0 n/a
1992 476 44.0 10.8 n/a
1993 516 40.0 12.9 n/a
1994 593 39.0 15.2 n/a
1995 589 43.0 13.7 n/a
1996 589 43.0 13.7 n/a
1997 596 44.0 13.5 n/a
1998 587 46.0 12.8 n/a
1999 606 45.0 13.5 n/a
2000 656 47.0 14.0 64.5
2001 632 46.0 13.7 64.6
2002 682 47.0 14.5 66.1
2003 682 47.0 14.5 66.1
2004 670 48.8 13.7 59.3
2005 699 47.8 14.6 64.5
2006 697 44.0 15.8 70.2
2007 552 44.7 12.3 64.5
2008 516 47.8 10.8 74.8
2009 491 49.5 9.9 76.4
2010 473 46.2 10.2 73.6
2011 511 42.9 11.9 81
2012 519 45.9 11.3 81.1
2013 541 45.4 11.9 83.7
2014 504 46.1 10.9 84.1
2015 522 47.0 11.1 87.4
2016 536 46.0 11.6 88.4
2017 648 46.7 13.8 99.1
2018 718 48.7 14.7 99.7
2019 767 48.7 15.7 100
2020 777 52.1 14.9 99.9
2021 773 52.6 14.6 99.6
2022 797 52.6 15.1 97.5
2023 798 45.8 17.4 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Blockson Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $685 (5.4%) $11,995 (94.6%) $12,680
2020 $1,143 (7.5%) $14,110 (92.5%) $15,253
2021 $1,778 (11.7%) $13,409 (88.3%) $15,187
2022 $1,692 (9.2%) $16,705 (90.8%) $18,397

Data source: Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Blockson Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 704th of 891 Middle schoolsRanks 797th of 893 Middle schools
 10.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
5th Grade Math (Blockson Middle School)19.215.3
 3.9%
   5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)4342.7
 0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Blockson Middle School)34.925.6
 9.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)58.553.6
 4.9%
6th Grade Math (Blockson Middle School)17.95.2
 12.7%
   6th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)3936.4
 2.6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Blockson Middle School)40.716
 24.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)6355.6
 7.4%
7th Grade Math (Blockson Middle School)9.15.3
 3.8%
   7th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)38.233.2
 5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Blockson Middle School)27.327.5
 0.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.554.5
 6%
8th Grade Math (Blockson Middle School)18.43.4
 15%
   8th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)32.226
 6.2%
8th Grade Science (Blockson Middle School)28.327.6
 0.7%
   8th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)58.257
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Blockson Middle School)32.619.4
 13.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)57.952.8
 5.1%
All Grades Math (Blockson Middle School)16.37.4
 8.9%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Blockson Middle School)28.327.6
 0.7%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Blockson Middle School)34.222.2
 12%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.953.8
 7.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students767798
 4%
African American235236
 0.4%
American Indian02
Asian73
 57.1%
Hispanic353454
 28.6%
Pacific Islander00
White8643
 50%
Two or More Races8660
 30.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


Schools Near Blockson Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Blockson Middle School

Students who attend Blockson Middle School usually go on to attend Norristown Area High School

Blockson Middle School ranks in the bottom 14.1% of Pennsylvania middle schools.

Students at Blockson Middle School are 57% Hispanic, 30% African American, 8% Two or more races, 5% White.

In the 2022-23 school year, 798 students attended Blockson Middle School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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