Skip to main content

Average

#1958 of 2,648 schools in NC

Benson Middle

Middle School · Johnston County Public Schools

1600 N Wall Street, Benson, NC 27504

Enrollment

493

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

5.1

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,958 of 2,648

In Benson

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#35 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Benson Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Benson Middle

5.1/10

Middle School in Benson · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Benson Elementary

6.8/10

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

South Johnston High

5.1/10

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

About Benson Middle

Benson Middle is a public middle school in Benson, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. Benson Middle serves approximately 493 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Benson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,958 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Benson Middle show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Benson Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

33% of students at Benson Middle 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 Progress4.4Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.9 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,352
Chronic Absenteeism33.3%

Benson Middle — Students at Benson Middle score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 40.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 42.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
80%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
24%
ELA
34%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
38%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
33.4%
ELA
40.8%
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: 4.4/10.

How Benson Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
26th percentile in NC
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.3%

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

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 5.7/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Four Oaks), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dunn Middle (rated 5.3/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Dunn), with a very similar rating. Additionally, McGee's Crossroads Middle (rated 5.3/10, 8.8 miles away), with a very similar 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 6.8
South Johnston High Four Oaks 2.2 mi 5.1
Dunn Middle Dunn 5.9 mi 5.3
Meadow School Benson 6.5 mi 7.3
Harnett County Early College Dunn 6.7 mi 8.5
Dunn Elementary Dunn 7.0 mi 6.4
BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dunn 7.2 mi 7.0
Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks 7.0 mi 7.0
Coats-Erwin Middle Dunn 7.3 mi 4.9
McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson 8.8 mi 5.3
McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier 8.9 mi 6.3
West Johnston High Benson 9.2 mi 5.9
Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks 8.3 mi 5.7
Triton High Erwin 8.3 mi 4.9
Coats Elementary Coats 8.4 mi 4.5
Erwin Elementary Erwin 9.0 mi 3.6
Plain View Elementary Dunn 10.6 mi 6.5
FAITH EDUCATION ACADEMY Dunn 9.6 mi 6.0
Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring 10.5 mi 8.0
Cleveland High Clayton 11.4 mi 6.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
C M Eppes Middle Greenville, NC 5.1
River Road Middle Elizabeth City, NC 5.1
E B Frink Middle La Grange, NC 5.0
East Burke Middle Connelly Springs, NC 5.0
Farmville Middle Farmville, NC 5.2
Greene County Middle Snow Hill, NC 5.2

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 ranks #1,958 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Benson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Benson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Benson Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benson Middle has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.3%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.