Average
#282 of 451 schools in ND
Ben Franklin Middle School
Middle School · FARGO 1
1420 8th St N, Fargo, ND 58102
Enrollment
899
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
899
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fargo
#16 of 27
public schools
North Dakota middle schools
#20 of 38
In district
#15 of 23
FARGO 1
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Ben Franklin Middle School
Ben Franklin Middle School serves 899 students in grades 6-8 in Fargo, North Dakota, offering a substantial middle school experience with a favorable 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 71 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 51st percentile statewide, placing 223rd out of 457 North Dakota schools, with room for academic growth as students develop their foundational skills. Current academic performance shows 47% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 39% meet proficiency standards in mathematics.
These results reflect opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic support across the middle grade years. The school draws from a diverse community where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education. The surrounding neighborhood in the 58102 zip code has a median household income of $56,823 and median home values around $229,100, representing a mix of economic backgrounds with a 20% poverty rate among families.
Ben Franklin Middle School sits in Fargo's mid-size city environment, providing students with both urban amenities and a strong sense of community connection as they navigate their crucial middle school years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Ben Franklin Middle School — Students at Ben Franklin Middle School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from ND state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.7/10.
How Ben Franklin Middle School Compares
See how Ben Franklin Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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. NORTH HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 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, HOLY SPIRIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.1 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 | 7.2 |
| NORTH HIGH SCHOOL Fargo | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| HORACE MANN ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| OAK GROVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fargo | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo | 1.5 mi | 6.6 |
| FARGO K-8 VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fargo | 2.0 mi | — |
| FARGO 9-12 VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fargo | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| West Central Academy-S Moorhead | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo | 1.9 mi | 3.9 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL Fargo | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL Fargo | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Robert Asp Elementary Moorhead | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| MADISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
| CLARA BARTON HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fargo | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ben Franklin Middle School has a median household income of $56,028. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,600, with a median rent of $829/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| CHENEY MIDDLE SCHOOL West Fargo, ND | 5.8 |
| SCHROEDER MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Forks, ND | 5.4 |
| CARL BEN EIELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo, ND | 6.2 |
| SIMLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck, ND | 5.3 |
| MANDAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Mandan, ND | 5.2 |
| DISCOVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fargo, ND | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #282 out of 451 schools in ND.
What is Ben Franklin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ben Franklin Middle School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Ben Franklin Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ben Franklin Middle School has 48.3% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,206/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fargo). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (701) 446-3600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
FARGO 1- District Enrollment
- 11,484
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,740
- District Rank
- #15 of 23
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.
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