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Average

#518 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

6.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New London

#6 of 10

public schools

Connecticut middle schools

#103 of 180

In district

#4 of 8

New London School District

School environment

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the heart of New London, Connecticut. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 330 students with a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school offers a supportive learning environment.

While Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School ranks in the lower tier academically among Connecticut's public schools—holding the state ranking of #864 out of 996 schools (13th percentile) with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8/10—it focuses on student development and growth beyond test scores. On standardized tests, only 16% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and just 5% meet proficiency standards in Math, indicating areas where the school is working to improve academic performance. The setting of Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School is within a small city community, offering students opportunities for engagement with local resources and activities.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.45 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13%
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)6%
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,060

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: 6%).

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 5.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 16.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
11%
ELA
20%
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: 6.4/10.

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
6.2/10
48th percentile in CT
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

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. Interdistrict School For Arts And Communication (rated 6.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Clark Lane Middle School (rated 6.3/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Waterford), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for Middle Grades (rated 6.1/10), with a very similar 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 7.5
Science and Technology Magnet Pathway for Middle Grades New London 0.0 mi 6.1
C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet New London 0.1 mi 6.4
HIGH ROAD SCHOOL OF NEW LONDON MD/HIGH AT SHILOH New London 0.3 mi
Regional Multicultural Magnet School New London 0.4 mi 6.8
Interdistrict School For Arts And Communication New London 0.5 mi 6.3
Winthrop STEM Elementary Magnet School New London 0.8 mi 5.8
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL New London 0.9 mi 6.3
New London High School New London 0.8 mi 6.1
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 6.3
Waterford High School Waterford 1.7 mi 7.4
The Friendship School Waterford 1.8 mi 4.9
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Groton 1.9 mi 6.4
Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School New London 2.6 mi 3.8
Marine Science Magnet High School Groton 2.3 mi 8.3
Quaker Hill Elementary School Quaker Hill 3.0 mi 5.4
Thames River Magnet School Groton 2.4 mi 6.7
Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School Groton 2.5 mi 7.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School has a median household income of $60,224. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,800, with a median rent of $1,304/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Frank Ward Strong School Durham, CT 6.2
Interdistrict School For Arts And Communication New London, CT 6.3
Northeast Middle School Bristol, CT 6.3
Putnam Middle School Putnam, CT 6.1
Carmen Arace Intermediate School Bloomfield, CT 6.0
East Hampton Middle School East Hampton, CT 6.4

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 is ranked #518 out of 990 schools in CT.

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

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School has 5.2% math proficiency and 16.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (1,594/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New London). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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