Public School Review - Established 2003

Balch vs. Charles J Prescott

Should you attend Balch or Charles J Prescott? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
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School Overview

School
Balch
1170 Washington Street
Norwood, MA 02062
: 
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Charles J Prescott
66 Richland Road
Norwood, MA 02062
: 
8/
10
Top 30%
Top Rankings
n/a

Charles J Prescott ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Massachusetts for:

Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Most improved public schools (Top 10%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Overview
Serving 306 students in grades 1-5, Balch ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Massachusetts for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 30-34% (which is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 42%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 25-29% (which is lower than the Massachusetts state average of 44%).
The student-teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the Massachusetts state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 47% (majority Hispanic).
Serving 250 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Charles J Prescott ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Massachusetts for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 60-64% (which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 42%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 55-59% (which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 44%).
The student-teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the Massachusetts state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 47% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Blue Ribbon Schools
-
Yes
Grades Offered
1-5
K-5
Total Students
306 students
250 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Balch over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Charles J Prescott over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
% Male | % Female
50% | 50%
45% | 55%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Balch.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Charles J Prescott.
Total Classroom Teachers
32 teachers
24 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Balch over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Charles J Prescott over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
10:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Balch with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Norwood School District and the state of Massachusetts, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Charles J Prescott with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Norwood School District and the state of Massachusetts, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Test Scores

#1181 out of 1626 schools in MA
(Bottom 50%)
#345 out of 1626 schools in MA
(Top 30%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Balch, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Charles J Prescott, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
30-34%
(Bottom 50% in MA)
60-64%
(Top 20% in MA)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Balch who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Charles J Prescott who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
25-29%
(Bottom 50% in MA)(21-22 School Year Data)
55-59%
(Top 30% in MA)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Balch who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Charles J Prescott who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
35-39%
(Bottom 50% in MA)(21-22 School Year Data)
50-59%
(Top 50% in MA)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Balch who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Charles J Prescott who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Balch by grade.
This chart displays the students of Charles J Prescott by grade.
Kindergarten Students
-
8
Grade 1 Students
67
57
Grade 2 Students
68
50
Grade 3 Students
54
55
Grade 4 Students
52
40
Grade 5 Students
65
40

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
7%
24%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Balch, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Norwood School District and in Massachusetts, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Charles J Prescott, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Norwood School District and in Massachusetts, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hispanic
40%
14%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Balch, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Norwood School District and in Massachusetts, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Charles J Prescott, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Norwood School District and in Massachusetts, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Black
13%
16%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Balch, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Norwood School District and in Massachusetts, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Charles J Prescott, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Norwood School District and in Massachusetts, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% White
36%
40%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Balch, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Norwood School District and in Massachusetts, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Charles J Prescott, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Norwood School District and in Massachusetts, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hawaiian
3%
1%
% Two or more races
1%
4%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Balch, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Norwood School District and in Massachusetts, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Charles J Prescott, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Norwood School District and in Massachusetts, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
0.69
0.74
This chart showcases the diversity score of Balch, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Charles J Prescott, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
42%
14%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Balch, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Charles J Prescott, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
5%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Balch, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Charles J Prescott, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Norwood School District and Massachusetts, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
 
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