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Very Good

#902 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 34% in state

Benson Middle

Middle School · Johnston County Public Schools

1600 N Wall Street, Benson, NC 27504

Enrollment

493

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

7.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Benson

#4 of 5

public schools

North Carolina middle schools

#96 of 475

In district

#33 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Benson Middle

Benson Middle, located in Benson, North Carolina, is a regular public middle school serving students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 493 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to its diverse learners. The dedicated faculty consists of 32 full-time equivalent teachers who strive to support every student's academic journey.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, Benson Middle scores an overall rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks as the 1390th school in North Carolina among 2661 schools, placing it in the 48th percentile. Academically, students perform at a level where 41% are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 40% meet proficiency standards in math. These numbers indicate areas with room for growth but also highlight the school's commitment to student development.

Benson Middle is situated in a rural setting within Johnston County, providing students with a unique environment that blends community support with educational opportunities. The school stands as an integral part of its local neighborhood, fostering a nurturing atmosphere where young adolescents can grow and learn together.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Benson Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.3Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.3%
Math vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,788

Benson Middle — Students at Benson Middle score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.4%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 41.1%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
48.7%
ELA
46.5%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Benson Middle Compares

See how Benson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
66th percentile in NC
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

1600 N Wall Street, Benson, NC 27504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Four Oaks Middle (rated 7.8/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Four Oaks), which scores slightly higher. Another option is McGee's Crossroads Middle (rated 7.3/10, 8.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Dunn Middle (rated 6.5/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Dunn), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Benson, see our Benson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Benson Elementary Benson 1.5 mi 9.2
South Johnston High Four Oaks 2.2 mi 4.2
Dunn Middle Dunn 5.9 mi 6.5
Meadow School Benson 6.5 mi 8.9
Harnett County Early College Dunn 6.7 mi 7.4
Dunn Elementary Dunn 7.0 mi 5.8
BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dunn 7.2 mi 7.0
Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks 7.0 mi 8.4
Coats-Erwin Middle Dunn 7.3 mi 4.1
McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson 8.8 mi 7.3
McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier 8.9 mi 8.0
West Johnston High Benson 9.2 mi 4.4
Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks 8.3 mi 7.8
Triton High Erwin 8.3 mi 4.0
Coats Elementary Coats 8.4 mi 4.8
Erwin Elementary Erwin 9.0 mi 5.1
Plain View Elementary Dunn 10.6 mi 5.3
FAITH EDUCATION ACADEMY Dunn 9.6 mi 6.0
Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring 10.5 mi 8.8
Cleveland High Clayton 11.4 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,376

Median Home Value

$217,400

Median Rent

$995/mo

Population

15,999

College Educated

18.3%

Homeownership

77.5%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benson Middle has a median household income of $68,376. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,400, with a median rent of $995/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 Wilkes Middle School Moravian Falls, NC 7.2
Manteo Middle School Manteo, NC 7.2
Newton-Conover Middle Conover, NC 7.2
Anne Chesnutt Middle Fayetteville, NC 7.3
Granite Falls Middle Granite Falls, NC 7.3
North Buncombe Middle Weaverville, NC 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benson Middle

What grades does Benson Middle serve?

Benson Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Benson Middle?

Benson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 493 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Benson Middle is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benson Middle rank in NC?

Benson Middle is ranked #902 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Benson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Benson Middle 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 Benson Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benson Middle has 40.4% math proficiency and 41.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benson Middle a charter school?

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

Is Benson Middle a Title I school?

No, Benson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benson Middle?

99.4% of students at Benson Middle 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,567/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Johnston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Johnston County Public Schools
District Enrollment
37,289
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,352
District Rank
#33 of 48

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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