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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,951

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 48.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ND state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
54%
ELA
57%
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: 3.7/10.

How Ben Franklin Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in ND
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
71 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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