Average
#1276 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 40% in state
Benzie Central Middle School
Middle School · Benzie County Central Schools
9300 HOMESTEAD RD, Benzonia, MI 49616
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benzonia
#1 of 4
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#141 of 497
In district
#2 of 6
Benzie County Central Schools
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Benzie Central Middle School
Benzie Central Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural area near Benzonia, Michigan. With an enrollment of 239 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1, it provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes. The school has 13 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping each student succeed academically.
Benzie Central Middle School serves sixth through eighth graders and offers a range of educational programs tailored to the needs of its students. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school ranks at 5.5 out of 10 with state rankings placing it in the 54th percentile among Michigan schools. Test performance shows that 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 30% in Math, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development.
The school's rural setting provides a close-knit community atmosphere, fostering strong relationships between teachers, students, and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Benzie Central Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Benzie Central Middle School — Students at Benzie Central Middle School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.6/10.
How Benzie Central Middle School Compares
See how Benzie Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 28.86% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 44.44% (2022).
Location
9300 HOMESTEAD RD, Benzonia, MI 49616
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Benzie Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY (rated 8.7/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Interlochen), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brethren Middle School (rated 8.3/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Brethren), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Frankfort Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Frankfort), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Benzonia, see our Benzonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Benzie Central Sr High School Benzonia | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Benzie Academy Benzonia | 0.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Homestead Hills Elementary School Benzonia | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Betsie Valley School Thompsonville | 10.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Frankfort High School Frankfort | 8.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Frankfort Elementary School Frankfort | 9.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Lake Ann Elementary School Interlochen | 10.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Bear Lake High School Bear Lake | 14.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Bear Lake Elementary School Bear Lake | 14.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Glen Lake Community School Maple City | 17.2 mi | 5.7 |
| PLEASANTVIEW MENNONITE SCHOOL Kaleva | 18.1 mi | — |
| INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY Interlochen | 14.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Westwoods Elementary School Traverse City | 15.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Onekama Consolidated Schools Onekama | 19.0 mi | 7.8 |
| THE LEELANAU SCHOOL Glen Arbor | 20.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Brethren Middle School Brethren | 21.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Brethren High School Brethren | 21.8 mi | 4.2 |
| KND Elementary Brethren | 21.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Long Lake Elementary School Traverse City | 18.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Silver Lake Elementary School Traverse City | 18.4 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49616 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,224
Median Home Value
$204,100
Median Rent
$594/mo
Population
2,177
College Educated
26.3%
Homeownership
91.1%
Poverty Rate
24%
Median Age
51.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Benzie Central Middle School has a median household income of $49,224. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,100, with a median rent of $594/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis, MI | 6.7 |
| J E Clark Preparatory Academy Detroit, MI | 6.7 |
| Perry Middle School Perry, MI | 6.7 |
| Bangor Middle School Bangor, MI | 6.8 |
| Bendle Middle School Burton, MI | 6.8 |
| Cherryland Middle School Elk Rapids, MI | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Benzie Central Middle School
What grades does Benzie Central Middle School serve?
Benzie Central Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Benzie Central Middle School?
Benzie Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Benzie Central Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Benzie Central Middle School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Benzie Central Middle School rank in MI?
Benzie Central Middle School is ranked #1276 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Benzie Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Benzie Central Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Benzie Central Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benzie Central Middle School has 30.3% math proficiency and 43.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Benzie Central Middle School a charter school?
No, Benzie Central Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Benzie Central Middle School a Title I school?
No, Benzie Central Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benzie Central Middle School?
62.3% of students at Benzie Central 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (539/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 239
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Benzie County
- Phone
- (231) 882-4497
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Benzie County Central Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,183
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,948
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
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 methodologyRelated reading
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