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Average

#1334 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 35% 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

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#1,334 of 3,813

In Springfield

#7 of 31

public schools

In district

#7 of 31

Springfield SD 186

Academic performance

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Benjamin Franklin Middle School

6.9/10

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

Butler Elem School

7.3/10

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

Blessed Sacrament

4.9/10

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

About Benjamin Franklin Middle School

Benjamin Franklin Middle School is a public middle school in Springfield, IL, part of Springfield SD 186. Benjamin Franklin Middle School serves approximately 705 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Benjamin Franklin Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,334 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Benjamin Franklin Middle School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.6 pts above district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 5.3
  • IL avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

42% of students at Benjamin Franklin 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 Progress6.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.76 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment6.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,554
Chronic Absenteeism42.3%

Benjamin Franklin Middle School — Students at Benjamin Franklin Middle School score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

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 44.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
79%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
64%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
28%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
23%
ELA
31%
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: 6.7/10.

How Benjamin Franklin Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
65th percentile in IL
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Iles Elem School (rated 9.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sandburg Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Springfield High School (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 7.3
BLESSED SACRAMENT Springfield 0.7 mi 4.9
Black Hawk Elem School Springfield 0.8 mi 5.6
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 7.9
Elizabeth Graham Elem School Springfield 1.6 mi 5.7
TRINTY Springfield 1.7 mi 6.7
Dubois Elem School Springfield 1.9 mi 3.3
SACRED HEART GRIFFIN HIGH SCHOOL Springfield 1.9 mi 4.4
U S Grant Middle School Springfield 1.9 mi 4.6
Southern View Elem School Springfield 1.7 mi 4.3
Owen Marsh Elem School Springfield 1.7 mi 7.5
Springfield High School Springfield 2.0 mi 7.8
Harvard Park Elem School Springfield 1.6 mi 4.9
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 9.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Churchville Middle School Elmhurst, IL 6.9
Roscoe Middle School Roscoe, IL 6.9
Gary Elem School Chicago, IL 7.0
Nelson Ridge School New Lenox, IL 7.0
S E Gross Middle School Brookfield, IL 7.0
Walter R Sundling Jr High Sch Palatine, IL 7.0

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 ranks #1,334 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Benjamin Franklin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benjamin Franklin Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Benjamin Franklin Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benjamin Franklin Middle School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.3%

District

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

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