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Average

#1083 of 1,851 schools in VA

Benjamin Syms Middle

Middle School · Hampton City Public Schools

170 Fox Hill Rd, Hampton, VA 23669

Enrollment

865

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,083 of 1,851

In Hampton

#28 of 30

public schools

In district

#28 of 30

Hampton City Public Schools

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Benjamin Syms Middle

5.9/10

Middle School in Hampton · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gloria Dei Lutheran School

5.5/10

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

Albert W. Patrick III Elementary

7.9/10

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

About Benjamin Syms Middle

Benjamin Syms Middle is a public middle school in Hampton, VA, part of Hampton City Public Schools. Benjamin Syms Middle serves approximately 865 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Benjamin Syms Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,083 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Benjamin Syms Middle show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • VA avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-4.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)71% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,034
Chronic Absenteeism24.3%

Benjamin Syms Middle — Students at Benjamin Syms Middle score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
66.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 70.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.8% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
80%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2015
Math
71%
ELA
66%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
71%
2017
ELA
71%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
64%
2025
Math
62.5%
ELA
68.3%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Benjamin Syms Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
42th percentile in VA
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

170 Fox Hill Rd, Hampton, VA 23669

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benjamin Syms Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Francis W. Jones Magnet Middle (rated 9.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thomas Eaton Middle (rated 6.4/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hampton, see our Hampton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hampton 0.4 mi 5.5
Albert W. Patrick III Elementary Hampton 0.5 mi 7.9
Captain John Smith Elementary Hampton 0.6 mi 5.7
Kecoughtan High Hampton 0.6 mi 7.7
Barron Elementary Hampton 0.7 mi 7.5
Phillips Elementary Hampton 0.9 mi 6.8
Samuel P. Langley Elementary Hampton 1.1 mi 8.1
Mary T. Christian Elementary Hampton 1.1 mi 7.7
Phoebus High Hampton 1.5 mi 7.0
Francis W. Jones Magnet Middle Hampton 1.4 mi 9.1
VICTORY BAPTIST SCHOOL Hampton 1.5 mi
Mary S. Peake Elementary Hampton 1.4 mi 6.9
Moton Early Childhood Center Hampton 1.9 mi 5.3
Jane H. Bryan Elementary Hampton 2.0 mi 8.1
Francis Asbury Elementary Hampton 2.1 mi 6.3
ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL Hampton 2.7 mi 7.2
Paul Burbank Elementary Hampton 2.4 mi 7.5
Thomas Eaton Middle Hampton 3.0 mi 6.4
William Mason Cooper Elementary Hampton 3.0 mi 8.1
Armstrong Elementary Hampton 3.6 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 23669 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,999

Median Home Value

$246,400

Median Rent

$1,202/mo

Population

39,730

College Educated

31.4%

Homeownership

58.7%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

16.9%

Median Age

36.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Deep Creek Middle Chesapeake, VA 5.9
Independence Middle Virginia Beach, VA 5.9
Lois Hornsby Middle Williamsburg, VA 5.9
Ni River Middle Spotsylvania, VA 5.9
Smithfield Middle Smithfield, VA 5.9
George H. Moody Middle Richmond, VA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benjamin Syms Middle

What grades does Benjamin Syms Middle serve?

Benjamin Syms Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Benjamin Syms Middle?

Benjamin Syms Middle has an enrollment of approximately 865 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Syms Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Syms Middle is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benjamin Syms Middle rank in VA?

Benjamin Syms Middle ranks #1,083 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Benjamin Syms Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Benjamin Syms Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Benjamin Syms Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benjamin Syms Middle has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Benjamin Syms Middle a charter school?

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

Is Benjamin Syms Middle a Title I school?

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

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

69.4% of students at Benjamin Syms Middle 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
25 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
865
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hampton city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

District

Hampton City Public Schools
District Enrollment
19,657
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,034
District Rank
#28 of 30

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