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Average

#201 of 451 schools in ND

Top 44% in state

Ben Franklin Middle School

Middle School · FARGO 1

1420 8th St N, Fargo, ND 58102

Enrollment

899

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Dakota schools

#201 of 451

In Fargo

#13 of 27

public schools

In district

#10 of 23

FARGO 1

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Ben Franklin Middle School

6.5/10

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

Holy Spirit Elementary School

7.5/10

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

Washington Elementary School

6.6/10

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

About Ben Franklin Middle School

Ben Franklin Middle School is a public middle school in Fargo, ND, part of FARGO 1. Ben Franklin Middle School serves approximately 899 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Ben Franklin Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #201 of 451 schools in ND.

Structured state assessment records for Ben Franklin Middle School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • ND avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Ben 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 Progress6.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency43% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,740
Chronic Absenteeism32.8%

Ben Franklin Middle School — Students at Ben Franklin Middle School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from ND state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
80%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
49%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
53%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
54%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
54%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
47%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Ben Franklin Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
56th percentile in ND
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
71 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.8%

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

1420 8th St N, Fargo, ND 58102

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ben Franklin Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Moorhead), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CLARA BARTON HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fargo, see our Fargo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
HOLY SPIRIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 0.1 mi 7.5
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 0.5 mi 6.6
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL Fargo 0.5 mi 6.8
HORACE MANN ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 0.7 mi 4.6
MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 1.3 mi 4.2
OAK GROVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fargo 1.3 mi 7.3
LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 1.5 mi 9.0
FARGO K-8 VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fargo 2.0 mi
FARGO 9-12 VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fargo 2.0 mi 3.9
West Central Academy-S Moorhead 1.5 mi 5.6
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 1.9 mi 2.5
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL Fargo 2.1 mi 5.2
DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL Fargo 2.1 mi 5.4
Robert Asp Elementary Moorhead 1.6 mi 4.3
MADISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 1.7 mi 2.6
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fargo 2.5 mi 6.2
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moorhead 2.1 mi 7.6
CARL BEN EIELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo 2.4 mi 5.9
CLARA BARTON HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo 2.6 mi 7.6
PARK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Moorhead 2.2 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58102 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,028

Median Home Value

$235,600

Median Rent

$829/mo

Population

32,591

College Educated

45.5%

Homeownership

45.7%

Avg Commute

15.3 min

Poverty Rate

20.2%

Median Age

29.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DICKINSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Dickinson, ND 6.5
ERIK RAMSTAD MIDDLE SCHOOL Minot, ND 6.6
SCHROEDER MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Forks, ND 6.6
SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Forks, ND 6.6
CHENEY MIDDLE SCHOOL West Fargo, ND 6.7
HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck, ND 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ben Franklin Middle School

What grades does Ben Franklin Middle School serve?

Ben Franklin Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Ben Franklin Middle School?

Ben Franklin Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 899 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Ben Franklin Middle School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ben Franklin Middle School rank in ND?

Ben Franklin Middle School ranks #201 of 451 schools in ND.

What is Ben Franklin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ben Franklin Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 Ben Franklin Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ben Franklin Middle School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Ben Franklin Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Ben Franklin Middle School a Title I school?

No, Ben Franklin Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ben Franklin Middle School?

30.9% of students at Ben 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
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
899
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
71
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Cass County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.8%

District

FARGO 1
District Enrollment
11,484
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,740
District Rank
#10 of 23

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