Below Average
#3956 of 4,739 schools in NY
Ben Franklin Middle School
Middle School · KENMORE-TONAWANDA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
540 PARKHURST BLVD, Buffalo, NY 14223
Enrollment
616
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
5th – 7th
Enrollment
616
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
5th – 7th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#39 of 84
public schools
New York middle schools
#623 of 785
In district
#8 of 9
KENMORE-TONAWANDA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Ben Franklin Middle School
BEN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL is a regular public middle school located in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. The school serves students in grades 5 through 7 and has an enrollment of 616 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1. Ben Franklin Middle School boasts 68 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
The academic performance at the school is currently rated 3.5 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 16th percentile among New York schools based on its state ranking. In terms of proficiency scores, 36% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 30% are proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth at Ben Franklin Middle School, the school community remains committed to supporting student development and learning.
The setting is within a large suburban area, offering students access to various resources and opportunities both within and outside of the school environment.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Ben Franklin Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ben Franklin Middle School — Students at Ben Franklin Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 10 test records from NY 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: 4.7/10.
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 44% (2019) to 26% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
540 PARKHURST BLVD, Buffalo, NY 14223
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ben Franklin Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HERBERT HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.7/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SWEET HOME MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 3.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Amherst), 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 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| WINDERMERE BLVD SCHOOL Amherst | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| KENMORE EAST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Tonawanda | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| THOMAS A EDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tonawanda | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| ACADEMY SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE Buffalo | 1.3 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| BOYNTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Ithaca, NY | 4.8 |
| HEIM MIDDLE SCHOOL Williamsville, NY | 4.8 |
| KAKIAT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Spring Valley, NY | 4.8 |
| LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Liberty, NY | 4.8 |
| CHEEKTOWAGA MIDDLE SCHOOL Cheektowaga, NY | 4.7 |
| CLARKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Adams, NY | 4.7 |
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 5th through 7th.
How many students attend Ben Franklin Middle School?
Ben Franklin Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 616 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ben Franklin Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ben Franklin Middle School is 9.1:1. 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 NY?
Ben Franklin Middle School is ranked #3956 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Ben Franklin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ben Franklin Middle School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 29.8% math proficiency and 36.4% 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?
49.4% 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.
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
- 5th – 7th
- Enrollment
- 616
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Erie County
- Phone
- (716) 874-8404
- 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
- #8 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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