Skip to main content

Excellent

#316 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 13% in state

Benjamin Franklin Middle School

Middle School · Ridgewood Public School District

335 NORTH VAN DIEN AVE, Ridgewood, NJ 07451

Enrollment

635

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

8.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ridgewood

#5 of 10

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#47 of 441

In district

#5 of 10

Ridgewood Public School District

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Benjamin Franklin Middle School

Benjamin Franklin Middle School serves 635 students in grades 6-8 in Ridgewood, New Jersey, maintaining a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1 with 56 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition as one of New Jersey's top-performing middle schools, ranking #211 out of 2,475 schools statewide and placing in the 92nd percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. Academically, Benjamin Franklin Middle School demonstrates solid performance across core subjects.

Students excel particularly in English Language Arts and Reading, with 80% achieving proficiency or above across all grade levels. Mathematics shows room for continued growth, with 56% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 8.7 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence and student achievement.

The school benefits from its experienced teaching staff and manageable class sizes, which allow for more individualized attention and support for students during these crucial middle school years. Located on North Van Dien Avenue, Benjamin Franklin Middle School sits in the heart of Ridgewood's large suburban community, providing students with a stable and supportive educational environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Math vs. State Avg+14.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.4 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment6.1Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,855

Benjamin Franklin Middle School — Students at Benjamin Franklin Middle School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 66.1%
School
State
38.6%
ELA Proficiency 79.1%
School
State
53.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
69%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
71%
2022
Math
56%
ELA
80%
2024
Math
78.3%
ELA
80.2%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Benjamin Franklin Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
87th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
2%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

335 NORTH VAN DIEN AVE, Ridgewood, NJ 07451

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benjamin Franklin Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. George Washington Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Brook Middle School (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Paramus), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ridgewood, see our Ridgewood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Travell Elementary School Ridgewood 0.2 mi 8.4
Ridgewood High School Ridgewood 0.7 mi 8.2
ALPINE LEARNING GROUP Paramus 0.8 mi 7.0
Somerville Elementary School Ridgewood 0.9 mi 7.6
Ho-Ho-Kus Public School Ho Ho Kus 0.9 mi 8.2
LITTLE CRANE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ridgewood 0.8 mi
HOLMSTEAD SCHOOL Ridgewood 0.9 mi 6.5
Glen School Ridgewood 0.8 mi 7.4
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF PARAMUS Paramus 1.3 mi
Stony Lane Elementary School Paramus 1.2 mi 7.1
NAALEH HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Ridgewood 1.4 mi 7.8
IMMACULATE HEART ACADEMY Washington Township 1.2 mi 6.9
WINDSOR BERGEN ACADEMY Ridgewood 1.2 mi 6.0
Willard Elementary School Ridgewood 1.4 mi 8.2
Midland Elementary School Paramus 1.9 mi 8.5
George Washington Middle School Ridgewood 1.5 mi 8.0
Hawes Elementary School Ridgewood 1.9 mi 6.4
West Brook Middle School Paramus 2.0 mi 7.9
Orchard Elementary School Ridgewood 1.7 mi 8.7
Ridge Elementary School Ridgewood 1.6 mi 7.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Memorial Middle School Fair Lawn, NJ 8.1
Montgomery Lower Middle School Skillman, NJ 8.1
Mount Pleasant Middle School Livingston, NJ 8.1
North Brunswick Twp. Middle School North Brunswick, NJ 8.1
Clinton Township Middle School Clinton, NJ 8.0
Columbia Middle School Berkeley Hts, NJ 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benjamin Franklin Middle School

What grades does Benjamin Franklin Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Benjamin Franklin Middle School?

Benjamin Franklin Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 635 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Franklin Middle School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benjamin Franklin Middle School rank in NJ?

Benjamin Franklin Middle School is ranked #316 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Benjamin Franklin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benjamin Franklin Middle School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Benjamin Franklin Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benjamin Franklin Middle School has 66.1% math proficiency and 79.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benjamin Franklin Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Benjamin Franklin Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

2.0% of students at Benjamin 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
34 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (629/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
635
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
2.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Bergen County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ridgewood Public School District
District Enrollment
5,544
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,261
District Rank
#5 of 10

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

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.