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Very Good

#1044 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 27% in state

Benjamin Franklin Middle School

Middle School · Springfield SD 186

1200 Outer Park Dr, Springfield, IL 62704

Enrollment

705

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Springfield

#4 of 31

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#182 of 684

In district

#4 of 31

Springfield SD 186

School environment

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Benjamin Franklin Middle School

Benjamin Franklin Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Springfield, Illinois, within Sangamon County. With an enrollment of 705 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, the school offers a supportive learning environment for its diverse population. The dedicated team of 55 full-time equivalent teachers works to ensure each student receives individualized attention.

While Benjamin Franklin Middle School has a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks as #846 among Illinois schools, there is room for academic growth. Students achieve proficiency rates of 35% in ELA/Reading and 26% in Math, indicating areas where additional support could benefit the student body. Situated in a mid-size city setting, Benjamin Franklin Middle School benefits from being part of Springfield's vibrant community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,525

Benjamin Franklin Middle School — Students at Benjamin Franklin Middle School score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
31%
2022
ELA
30%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Benjamin Franklin Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
73th percentile in IL
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

1200 Outer Park Dr, Springfield, IL 62704

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benjamin Franklin Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Springfield High School (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Butler Elem School (rated 7.1/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, U S Grant Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Springfield, see our Springfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Butler Elem School Springfield 0.6 mi 7.1
BLESSED SACRAMENT Springfield 0.7 mi 4.9
Black Hawk Elem School Springfield 0.8 mi 4.4
CHRIST THE KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Springfield 0.9 mi 6.1
Early Learning Center Springfield 0.9 mi 5.1
Sandburg Elem School Springfield 1.2 mi 5.9
Elizabeth Graham Elem School Springfield 1.6 mi 5.9
TRINTY Springfield 1.7 mi 6.7
Dubois Elem School Springfield 1.9 mi 5.5
SACRED HEART GRIFFIN HIGH SCHOOL Springfield 1.9 mi 4.4
U S Grant Middle School Springfield 1.9 mi 6.9
Southern View Elem School Springfield 1.7 mi 4.6
Owen Marsh Elem School Springfield 1.7 mi 4.9
Springfield High School Springfield 2.0 mi 7.9
Harvard Park Elem School Springfield 1.6 mi 5.8
ST AGNES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Springfield 2.2 mi 6.7
LITTLE FLOWER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Springfield 1.9 mi 4.8
OUR SAVIORS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Springfield 1.9 mi 6.1
CALVARY ACADEMY Springfield 2.4 mi 6.4
Iles Elem School Springfield 2.1 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,352

Median Home Value

$166,900

Median Rent

$924/mo

Population

39,597

College Educated

41.9%

Homeownership

61.7%

Avg Commute

16.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

40.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benjamin Franklin Middle School has a median household income of $66,352. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,900, with a median rent of $924/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Central Middle School Evergreen Park, IL 7.2
Charles J Caruso Middle School Deerfield, IL 7.2
Lincoln Jr High School Naperville, IL 7.2
Northwood Middle School Woodstock, IL 7.2
Roosevelt Middle School Bellwood, IL 7.2
Algonquin Middle School Des Plaines, IL 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benjamin Franklin Middle School

What grades does Benjamin Franklin Middle School serve?

Benjamin Franklin Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Benjamin Franklin Middle School?

Benjamin Franklin Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 705 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Franklin Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Franklin Middle School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benjamin Franklin Middle School rank in IL?

Benjamin Franklin Middle School is ranked #1044 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Benjamin Franklin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benjamin Franklin Middle School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Benjamin Franklin Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benjamin Franklin Middle School has 26.0% math proficiency and 34.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benjamin Franklin Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Benjamin Franklin Middle School a Title I school?

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

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benjamin Franklin Middle School?

56.3% of students at Benjamin Franklin 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
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,845/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
705
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Sangamon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Springfield SD 186
District Enrollment
12,920
Schools in District
35
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,554
District Rank
#4 of 31

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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