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Very Good

#263 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Top 13% in state

Benson Middle School

Middle School · Benson Unified School District (79226)

360 S PATAGONIA ST, Benson, AZ 85602

Enrollment

285

Student-Teacher

19:1

Score

7.9

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Benson

#1 of 4

public schools

Arizona middle schools

#13 of 218

In district

#1 of 5

Benson Unified School District (79226)

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Benson Middle School

Benson Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Benson, Arizona, in Cochise County. The school serves students in grades 5 through 8, with a total enrollment of 285 students. Benson Middle School has a student-teacher ratio of 19:1, with 15 full-time equivalent teachers.

The school is situated in a small town setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere. Benson Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks 611th out of 2029 schools in Arizona, placing it in the 70th percentile. The academic performance score is 7.1 out of 10, with 48% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 37% proficient or above in Math.

While the school shows areas for improvement, it is committed to enhancing academic performance and supporting student development. The surrounding neighborhood is home to a diverse population of 9,643 residents, with a median household income of $54,577 and a median home value of $162,700. Approximately 24% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 11.4%.

Benson Middle School is an integral part of this community, fostering a supportive environment for its students.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48%
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,529

Benson Middle School — Students at Benson Middle School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
44%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
48%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.5/10.

How Benson Middle School Compares

See how Benson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
87th percentile in AZ
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Location

360 S PATAGONIA ST, Benson, AZ 85602

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Walter J Meyer School (rated 8.7/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Tombstone), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Huachuca City School (rated 8.5/10, 23.0 miles away, in nearby Tombstone), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, St David High School (rated 7.9/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Saint David), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Benson, see our Benson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Benson Primary School Benson 0.1 mi 4.9
Benson High School Benson 0.1 mi 6.3
Benson Digital Learning Center Benson 0.1 mi 6.2
Benson Digital Learning Center Online Benson 0.1 mi 4.4
Pomerene Elementary School Pomerene 2.5 mi 7.7
St David Elementary School Saint David 6.1 mi 7.1
St David High School Saint David 6.1 mi 7.9
SAN PEDRO VALLEY ACADEMY Huachuca City 14.2 mi 7.4
Tombstone High School Tombstone 21.1 mi 6.6
Huachuca City School Tombstone 23.0 mi 8.5
Walter J Meyer School Tombstone 22.1 mi 8.7
CHRIST LUTHERAN VAIL EC AND EDU CREATION SCHOOL Vail 23.3 mi 6.8
Buena High School Sierra Vista 27.4 mi 6.1
SVUSD AOI Sierra Vista 27.4 mi
Berean Academy Sierra Vista 27.6 mi 6.5
Bella Vista Elementary School Sierra Vista 27.7 mi 7.1
Carmichael Elementary School Sierra Vista 27.7 mi 7.0
VERITAS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Sierra Vista 27.8 mi 7.9
CTD - Cochise College Willcox 27.8 mi
Center for Academic Success #5 - Sierra Vista K-8 Sierra Vista 28.0 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,725

Median Home Value

$195,500

Median Rent

$760/mo

Population

9,860

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

77.5%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

14%

Median Age

55.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benson Middle School has a median household income of $53,725. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,500, with a median rent of $760/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Newell Barney College Preparatory School Queen Creek, AZ 7.8
Tsehootsooi Middle School Fort Defiance, AZ 7.7
Blue Ridge Jr High School Lakeside, AZ 8.2
Magee Middle School Tucson, AZ 7.6
Wallace Jr High School Parker, AZ 7.5
Ganado Middle School Ganado, AZ 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benson Middle School

What grades does Benson Middle School serve?

Benson Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Benson Middle School?

Benson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 285 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benson Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Benson Middle School is 19:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benson Middle School rank in AZ?

Benson Middle School is ranked #263 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Benson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benson Middle School has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Benson Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benson Middle School has 36.7% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benson Middle School a charter school?

No, Benson Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benson Middle School a Title I school?

No, Benson Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Cochise County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Benson Unified School District (79226)
District Enrollment
1,300
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,829
District Rank
#1 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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