Study Reveals How Norristown Students Compare With Neighbors, National Averages

NORRISTOWN, PA -- Are you smarter than a fifth grader? According to a national study, when it comes to reading and math, Norristown students are behind.

An educational study conducted by the University of Stanford investigated the educational attainment of each U.S. School District and how it compared with national averages. The New York Times also has a fascinating data visualization project that allows the public to investigate every school district in the U.S.

The study found that students in the Norristown School District were at an educational level 0.3 grade levels below national averages. That means that the average Norristown fifth grader is underperforming compared to average American fifth grader.

Nearly all of the schools on the scale were between three grades ahead and three grades behind the national average.

Nearby Montgomery and Chester County School Districts Ranked as Above/Below National Averages by Grade Level

• + 2.7 Lower Merion
• + 2.5 Upper Dublin
• + 2.3 Colonial
• + 2.1 Wissahickon
• + 2.0 Hatboro-Horsham
• + 2.0 Methacton
• + 2.0 Great Valley
• + 1.9 Spring-Ford
• + 1.9 Perkiomen Valley
• + 1.9 Jenkintown
• + 1.8 Lower Moreland
• + 1.8 Downingtown
• + 1.7 North Penn
• + 1.7 Owen J. Roberts
• + 1.6 West Chester
• + 1.6 Souderton
• + 1.6 Abington
• + 1.5 Phoenixville
• + 1.5 Boyertown
• + 1.5 Upper Merion
• + 1.3 Cheltenham
• + 1.1 Upper Moreland
• + 0.8 Upper Perkiomen
• + 0.5 Pottsgrove
• - 0.3 Norristown
• - 0.5 Pottstown
• - 1.03 Philadelphia

Patch file photo