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Below Average

#3656 of 4,742 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

4.9

Grades

5th – 7th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#3,656 of 4,742

In Buffalo

#45 of 85

public schools

In district

#5 of 9

KENMORE-TONAWANDA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Ben Franklin Middle School

4.9/10

Middle School in Buffalo · grades 5th – 7th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ben Franklin Elementary School

3.7/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Windermere Blvd School

5.4/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ben Franklin Middle School

Ben Franklin Middle School is a public middle school in Buffalo, NY, part of KENMORE-TONAWANDA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT. Ben Franklin Middle School serves approximately 616 students, and covers grades 5th-7th, and has a 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Ben Franklin Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,656 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for Ben Franklin Middle School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • NY avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 9.1:1 students to teachers, Ben Franklin Middle School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.7% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-7.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-18.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,097
Chronic Absenteeism24.4%

Ben Franklin Middle School — Students at Ben Franklin Middle School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.1% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 37.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
53.2% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 34 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
91%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
34%
2013
Math
30%
ELA
26%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
24%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
26.3%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
35.5%
ELA
31.7%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Ben Franklin Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
23th percentile in NY
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.4%

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. SWEET HOME MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Amherst), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HERBERT HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar 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 3.7
WINDERMERE BLVD SCHOOL Amherst 0.9 mi 5.4
KENMORE EAST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Tonawanda 1.2 mi 5.7
THOMAS A EDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tonawanda 1.1 mi 5.4
ACADEMY SCHOOL Buffalo 1.2 mi 6.5
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 6.0
ST JOSEPH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL Buffalo 1.5 mi 8.3
NORTH PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL #50 Buffalo 1.6 mi 7.7
MIDDLE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo 2.0 mi 8.8
LEWIS J BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLGY Buffalo 2.0 mi 6.7
SWEET HOME MIDDLE SCHOOL Amherst 1.8 mi 5.6
KENMORE WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo 1.6 mi 5.5
ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Amherst 1.6 mi 6.3
BUFFALO UNITED CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo 2.2 mi 3.0
HERBERT HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Buffalo 1.7 mi 4.9
HERBERT HOOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buffalo 1.7 mi 4.9
HIGHGATE HEIGHTS Buffalo 2.2 mi 5.9
GLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tonawanda 2.6 mi 6.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HERBERT HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Buffalo, NY 4.9
JOHN F KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL Port Jefferson Station, NY 4.9
KAKIAT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Spring Valley, NY 4.9
LAGRANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lagrangeville, NY 4.9
NORTH TONAWANDA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL North Tonawanda, NY 4.9
SOUTH OCEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Patchogue, NY 4.9

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 ranks #3,656 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is Ben Franklin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ben Franklin Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ben Franklin Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ben Franklin Middle School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
52 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.4%

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