The top reported proficiency rate is 27% in English language arts. The lowest is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Manthala George Jr. School
Manthala George Jr. School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Brockton, a mid-sized urban city south of Boston that was historically known as its shoe manufacturing industry and now has a more diversified economy around healthcare, education, and retail. The school sits at 180 Colonel Bell Drive within a dense residential neighborhood. The city’s overall housing market shows a typical home value around the mid-range for the region, and the inventory of homes for sale has been increasing modestly, though the area remains competitive with properties selling relatively quickly.
The school enrolls a student body that reflects the diverse population of Brockton itself. The largest racial group is Black or African American students, with a substantial share of Hispanic or Latino students as well. White students and students who identify as two or more races make up smaller portions of the enrollment. Enrollment by grade is fairly consistent through kindergarten through second grade, with somewhat smaller class sizes from third grade onward. The school serves a wide age range within a single building, from the youngest pre-kindergarten learners up to fifth graders. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and on students with an individualized education program was not available in the source materials, so a family looking to understand those aspects of the student population would need to ask the school directly.
On statewide assessments, the NextGen MCAS given to third through eighth graders, Manthala George Jr. School’s proficiency rates fell well below the midpoint among districts in Plymouth County. In math, about a fifth of students scored at the proficient or advanced level. In English language arts, the rate was a bit higher, roughly a quarter of students. In science, tested only in grade five, a similar share of students met the proficiency threshold. Participation in testing was high, with nearly all students taking the exams. Looking at trends over the available years, the math proficiency rate has fluctuated, from a low after the pandemic-disrupted year to a partial recovery in more recent years, though it has not sustained a clear upward trajectory. English language arts proficiency has also moved within a narrow band over time, with the most recent year being the highest in the series. A parent reviewing these results should note that the school’s overall proficiency index placed it in the bottom quarter of schools in Plymouth County, an indication that academic performance is an area where this school faces significant challenges. There is no high school at this campus, so there is no graduation rate to report; students will continue on to Brockton’s middle and high schools.
The Brockton Public Schools district as a whole carries a designation from the state as requiring assistance or intervention. The 2025 accountability report identified the district as in need of focused or targeted support due to a low graduation rate and moderate progress toward improvement targets. This classification means the district operates under sustained state oversight. Separately, in early 2024, Brockton High School drew national attention when some school committee members requested National Guard assistance due to violence and security staffing shortages at that school, a request the mayor opposed. These events at the district level provide important context for families considering any school in Brockton, as the system faces broader challenges beyond the elementary level.
For housing, typical home values in the Brockton area have been rising gradually. The rental market shows a moderate pace of rent growth. The median household income in the city is below the national median, and the affordability ratio suggests that buying a home at current prices and mortgage rates would require a significant portion of household income. The city’s population has been growing at a modest pace, with increasing diversity. Downtown Brockton has been the focus of revitalization efforts, and three MBTA Commuter Rail stations connect the city to Boston.
What does this add up to for a family? Manthala George Jr. School is a neighborhood elementary school in an urban district with the student diversity typical of Brockton. Its academic proficiency numbers are low relative to the county and state, and the district is under state intervention for performance issues. The school itself has no high school grades, so the broader system context matters. A parent considering this school should talk directly with the principal about the instructional approach, supports for students who are below grade level, and how the school addresses the challenges the district has acknowledged. For families who prioritize a diverse student body in an urban setting, the school fits that profile. For those whose primary concern is strong academic test scores, the school’s results would give them reason to investigate further.
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