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Very Good

#517 of 1,823 schools in IN

Top 28% in state

Benjamin Franklin Middle School

Middle School · Valparaiso Community Schools

605 Campbell, Valparaiso, IN 46385

Enrollment

806

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Valparaiso

#15 of 23

public schools

Indiana middle schools

#64 of 330

In district

#9 of 11

Valparaiso Community Schools

Equity

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Benjamin Franklin Middle School

Benjamin Franklin Middle School serves 806 students in grades 6-8 in Valparaiso, Indiana, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking 225th out of 1,831 Indiana schools, the school places in the 88th percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 across its 57 full-time equivalent teachers.

Academically, Benjamin Franklin Middle School demonstrates strong performance with 57% of students achieving proficiency or above in math and an impressive academic score of 8.3 out of 10. Located at 605 Campbell in a small suburban setting, the school serves a well-established community in ZIP code 46385. The surrounding neighborhood reflects stability and educational investment, with a median household income of $95,350 and median home values of $285,100.

About 35% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 7.4% among the ZIP code's 41,304 residents. Benjamin Franklin Middle School operates within Porter County's supportive suburban environment, where families prioritize education and community engagement creates a foundation for student success.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.9%
Math vs. State Avg+20.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.3 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment6.9Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,965

Benjamin Franklin Middle School — Students at Benjamin Franklin Middle School score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.6%
School
State
38.2%
ELA Proficiency 64.3%
School
State
40.5%

Based on 15 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
63%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
57%
2025
Math
60.2%
ELA
61.9%

* 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 Benjamin Franklin Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in IN
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers

Location

605 Campbell, Valparaiso, IN 46385

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benjamin Franklin Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Parkview Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northview Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Valparaiso, see our Valparaiso schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Elementary School Valparaiso 0.3 mi 8.9
Memorial Elementary School Valparaiso 0.4 mi 7.7
Northview Elementary School Valparaiso 0.7 mi 8.5
ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Valparaiso 1.1 mi 6.6
Valparaiso High School Valparaiso 1.4 mi 7.8
MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF VALPARAISO Valparaiso 1.4 mi
Parkview Elementary School Valparaiso 1.2 mi 9.0
Thomas Jefferson Middle School Valparaiso 1.3 mi 6.9
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Valparaiso 1.4 mi 7.5
Heavilin Elementary School Valparaiso 1.9 mi 7.6
Cooks Corners Elementary School Valparaiso 1.9 mi 5.6
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Valparaiso 1.7 mi 7.5
Flint Lake Elementary School Valparaiso 2.7 mi 8.4
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, INC Valparaiso 2.8 mi 7.2
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Valparaiso 3.3 mi 7.7
Washington Twp Middle/High School Valparaiso 3.8 mi 7.8
Washington Twp Elementary School Valparaiso 3.9 mi 3.8
John Simatovich Elementary School Valparaiso 4.8 mi 7.7
SHULTS-LEWIS SCHOOL Valparaiso 6.0 mi
Morgan Township Middle/High School Valparaiso 5.9 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46385 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,208

Median Home Value

$305,400

Median Rent

$1,225/mo

Population

41,390

College Educated

34.3%

Homeownership

87.9%

Avg Commute

30.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

43.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benjamin Franklin Middle School has a median household income of $97,208. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $305,400, with a median rent of $1,225/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Edgewood Middle School Warsaw, IN 7.3
Jasper Middle School Jasper, IN 7.3
Fishers Junior High School Fishers, IN 7.2
Frankfort Middle School Frankfort, IN 7.2
Kesling Intermediate School Laporte, IN 7.2
Michael Grimmer Middle School Schererville, IN 7.2

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 806 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Franklin Middle School is 14.1:1. 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 IN?

Benjamin Franklin Middle School is ranked #517 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Benjamin Franklin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benjamin Franklin Middle School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 58.6% math proficiency and 64.3% 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?

22.3% 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
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (874/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
806
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Porter County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Valparaiso Community Schools
District Enrollment
6,441
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,533
District Rank
#9 of 11

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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