Very Good
#1602 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 34% in state
Ben Franklin Elementary School
Elementary School · KENMORE-TONAWANDA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
500 PARKHURST BLVD, Buffalo, NY 14223
Enrollment
460
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
460
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#5 of 84
public schools
New York elementary schools
#959 of 2,549
In district
#1 of 9
KENMORE-TONAWANDA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Ben Franklin Elementary School
BEN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is a welcoming public school in Buffalo, New York, serving students from kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 460 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive academically and socially. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 46 full-time equivalent educators who are committed to fostering a supportive learning environment.
While the MySchoolScout rating is currently at 5.0 out of 10 and the academic score is 3.1 out of 10, these metrics reflect areas where there's room for growth in student performance. On state assessments, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and 30% are proficient or above in math, indicating that while challenges exist, the school is working to improve outcomes. Ben Franklin Elementary School is situated in a large suburban area, offering a stable community setting for its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Ben Franklin Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Ben Franklin Elementary School — Students at Ben Franklin Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.9/10.
How Ben Franklin Elementary School Compares
See how Ben Franklin Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
500 PARKHURST BLVD, Buffalo, NY 14223
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ben Franklin Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST JOSEPH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Tonawanda), with a comparable rating. Additionally, THOMAS A EDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Tonawanda), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BEN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.0 mi | 4.8 |
| WINDERMERE BLVD SCHOOL Amherst | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| KENMORE EAST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Tonawanda | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| ACADEMY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| THOMAS A EDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tonawanda | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| CHARLES A LINDBERGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| ST JOSEPH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.5 mi | 8.3 |
| NORTH PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL #50 Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| MIDDLE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| LEWIS J BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLGY Buffalo | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| SWEET HOME MIDDLE SCHOOL Amherst | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| KENMORE WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Amherst | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| BUFFALO UNITED CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
| HERBERT HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| HERBERT HOOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| HIGHGATE HEIGHTS Buffalo | 2.2 mi | 4.2 |
| GLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tonawanda | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 14223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,528
Median Home Value
$202,200
Median Rent
$976/mo
Population
22,363
College Educated
43.8%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
19.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ben Franklin Elementary School has a median household income of $83,528. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,200, with a median rent of $976/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jamestown, NY | 7.1 |
| ALBANY SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES Albany, NY | 7.1 |
| ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Allegany, NY | 7.1 |
| ANDREW MULLER PRIMARY SCHOOL Miller Place, NY | 7.1 |
| AUSTIN ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mahopac, NY | 7.1 |
| BERLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Berlin, NY | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ben Franklin Elementary School
What grades does Ben Franklin Elementary School serve?
Ben Franklin Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Ben Franklin Elementary School?
Ben Franklin Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 460 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ben Franklin Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ben Franklin Elementary School is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ben Franklin Elementary School rank in NY?
Ben Franklin Elementary School is ranked #1602 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Ben Franklin Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ben Franklin Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Ben Franklin Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ben Franklin Elementary School has 29.5% math proficiency and 41.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ben Franklin Elementary School a charter school?
No, Ben Franklin Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ben Franklin Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Ben Franklin Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ben Franklin Elementary School?
56.7% of students at Ben Franklin Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,549/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 460
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Erie County
- Phone
- (716) 874-8415
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
KENMORE-TONAWANDA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 6,486
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,097
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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