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Needs Improvement

#900 of 990 schools in CT

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School

Middle School · New London School District

36 Waller St., New London, CT 06320

Enrollment

330

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

3.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Connecticut schools

#900 of 990

In New London

#8 of 10

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

New London School District

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Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School

3.8/10

Middle School in New London · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

New London Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School

7.0/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for Middle Grades

4.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School is a public middle school in New London, CT, part of New London School District. Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School serves approximately 330 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 8.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #900 of 990 schools in CT.

Structured state assessment records for Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • CT avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 8.2:1 students to teachers, Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

40% of students at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency9% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)7% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$29,746
Chronic Absenteeism39.7%

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School — Students at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School score 8% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from CT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
56%
ELA
60%
2010
Math
54%
ELA
59%
2011
Math
60%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
13%
ELA
24%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
25%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
23%
2018
Math
11%
ELA
20%
2019
Math
11%
ELA
20%
2020*
Math
0.5%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
16%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
13%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School Compares

See how Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
9th percentile in CT
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.0/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.7%

Location

36 Waller St., New London, CT 06320

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Clark Lane Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Waterford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for Middle Grades (rated 4.9/10), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Interdistrict School For Arts And Communication (rated 3.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in New London, see our New London schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
New London Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School New London 0.0 mi 7.0
Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for Middle Grades New London 0.0 mi 4.9
C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet New London 0.1 mi 5.1
HIGH ROAD SCHOOL OF NEW LONDON MD/HIGH AT SHILOH New London 0.3 mi
Regional Multicultural Magnet School New London 0.4 mi 4.7
Interdistrict School For Arts And Communication New London 0.5 mi 3.3
Winthrop STEM Elementary Magnet School New London 0.8 mi 8.8
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL New London 0.9 mi 6.3
New London High School New London 0.8 mi 3.6
Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for High School Grades New London 0.8 mi 8.5
THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL New London 1.3 mi 7.0
Clark Lane Middle School Waterford 1.1 mi 7.0
Waterford High School Waterford 1.7 mi 6.8
The Friendship School Waterford 1.8 mi 5.9
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Groton 1.9 mi 6.4
Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School New London 2.6 mi 4.5
Marine Science Magnet High School Groton 2.3 mi 8.5
Quaker Hill Elementary School Quaker Hill 3.0 mi 7.3
Thames River Magnet School Groton 2.4 mi 7.6
Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School Groton 2.5 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 06320 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,224

Median Home Value

$234,800

Median Rent

$1,304/mo

Population

27,275

College Educated

29.1%

Homeownership

40%

Avg Commute

20.1 min

Poverty Rate

20.9%

Median Age

35.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School New Haven, CT 3.5
McDonough Middle School Hartford, CT 3.5
Thompson Middle School North Grosvenordale, CT 4.1
Carmen Arace Middle School Bloomfield, CT 4.3
Interdistrict School For Arts And Communication New London, CT 3.3
Dr. Helen Baldwin Middle School Canterbury, CT 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School

What grades does Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School serve?

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School?

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 330 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School rank in CT?

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School ranks #900 of 990 schools in CT.

What is Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School a Title I school?

No, Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School?

95.8% of students at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
83 Very Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Connecticut Planning Region 8
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.7%

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