How Many Schoolchildren Are Homeless In Methacton?

LOWER PROVIDENCE, PA -- There are an appalling number of homeless children across Pennsylvania: some 24,000, in fact, according to the Department of Education’s most recent numbers, from 2014-2015.

And those children are spread across nearly every single school district in the entire state.

Methacton had 10 or less homeless children. Districts which reported 10 or less did not release the exact number to protect student confidentiality.

Here’s how districts from around Montgomery County compared:

• Norristown - 109
• North Penn - 106
• Pottstown - 80
• Souderton - 51
• Hatboro-Horsham - 42
• Spring-Ford - 42
• Upper Moreland - 29
• Abington - 28
• Pottsgrove - 27
• Upper Merion - 23
• Wissahickon - 21
• Upper Dublin - 19
• Colonial - 18
• Upper Perkiomen - 17
• Cheltenham - 15
• Lower Merion - 14
• Perkiomen Valley - 12
• Lower Moreland - 10 or less
• Methacton - 10 or less (districts which reported 10 or less did not release the exact number to protect student confidentiality)

Despite these numbers, Montgomery County still performed better than its neighbors, as its homeless student population total (683) and average per 1,000 (6.28) was lower than all surrounding counties.

In all of Philadelphia County, for example, there are nearly 6,000 homeless children, or an average of about 30 for every 1,000.

Only Forest County in the northwestern part of the state, with an average of 56 homeless per 1,000, was worse off.

The actual number of homeless children could be much higher, as the data only reflects the homeless population which the state served using designated funds.

The McKinney-Vento Act works on a national level to help provide homeless children with access to the same free public education as their peers, and provides money for school districts to handle homeless students. Qualifying students receive free lunches and transportation if necessary, among other benefits.