Benito Middle School

Q: Is Benito Middle School a good school?

Benito Middle School ranks 343 rd of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Benito Middle School is a public middle school in Tampa, Florida, serving 1,017 students in grades 6-8. As part of the Hillsborough School District, which is ranked 45th out of 68 districts in the state, Benito Middle School stands out as a high-performing and diverse institution.

Academically, Benito Middle School consistently outperforms the district and state averages, with exceptional proficiency rates in Algebra 1 (98%), Geometry (100%), and Civics (80%) end-of-course exams, compared to 56%, 54%, and 65% for the Hillsborough district, respectively. The school's diverse student population, with a racial makeup of 27.53% White, 26.94% African American, 24.58% Hispanic, 13.08% Asian, and 7.57% two or more races, is higher than many nearby schools, such as Buchanan Middle School and Jennings Middle School. While Benito Middle School has seen an increase in chronic absenteeism, reaching 30.7% in the 2022-2023 school year, this rate is still lower than some of its neighbors.

Benito Middle School's higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 42.83% to 48.36% over the past few years, indicates a significant proportion of economically disadvantaged students. However, the school's ability to maintain strong academic outcomes despite these challenges is commendable. As the Hillsborough School District and Benito Middle School continue to address areas for improvement, such as chronic absenteeism, the school's track record of academic excellence and diverse student population make it a standout institution within the region.

Detail:

Public 6-8

10101 Cross Creek Blvd
Tampa, FL 33647

(813) 631-4694

District: Hillsborough

SchoolDigger Rank:
343^rd of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,313

Students who attend Benito Middle School usually attend:

High:

Wharton High School

Feeder schools for Benito Middle School:

Elementary:	Heritage Elementary School
	Hunter's Green Elementary School
	Pride Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 19.7

Number of students: 1,017

Racial breakdown:

White:

27.5%

African American:

26.9%

Hispanic:

24.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 47.2%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Benito Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Benito Middle School ranks better than 71.3% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 9^th among 43 ranked middle schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 68.76. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Benito Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (27.5%), African American (26.9%), Hispanic (24.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 47.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Benito Middle School is 19.7, which is the 19^th best among 43 middle schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)

Compare Benito Middle School employs 51.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Benito Middle School is $8,313. 30 middle schools in the Hillsborough School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Benito Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Benito Middle School 343^rd of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Benito Middle School in the ranking list.)

Hillsborough:

SchoolDigger ranks Hillsborough 45^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Benito Middle School.

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Rank History for Benito Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	83.26	81^st	593	86.3%
2005	74.98	128^th	602	78.7%
2006	76.27	145^th	675	78.5%
2007	79.28	127^th	736	82.7%
2008	79.40	134^th	740	81.9%
2009	78.56	146^th	780	81.3%
2010	79.60	141^st	839	83.2%
2011	77.88	184^th	891	79.3%
2012	71.61	237^th	897	73.6%
2013	71.99	247^th	956	74.2%
2014	71.49	267^th	999	73.3%
2016	68.70	287^th	997	71.2%
2017	71.63	273^rd	1031	73.5%
2018	67.07	317^th	1035	69.4%
2019	64.28	366^th	1099	66.7%
2021	67.46	331^st	1136	70.9%
2022	70.41	297^th	1148	74.1%
2023	68.11	345^th	1177	70.7%
2024	68.76	343^rd	1196	71.3%

See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)

50%

Reviews:

by a citizen
Thursday, May 4, 2017

This school is terrible. The environment is so negative for students its ridiculous. The administration all have their heads in the sand and operate from fear. The only thing keeping this school alive is Noble - and i heard she is leaving because of the way other staff members treat her. She is one of the best human beings I've ever had the chance to meet. She goes above and beyond to create lifelong relationships with students. Students learn from her because she genuinely cares. She goes beyond the 'hello how are you' to learn about interests, struggles and lives. She is always getting shade from other teachers because students like her and its so sad to see that happen to such a great teacher. She is the most overlooked underrated staff there and should get a medal for all she does. She is the kind of person that makes a difference. She is the one that changes lives. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Benito Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1998	637	389	61	156	1	n/a	n/a	0	1244
1999	728	349	57	183	6	n/a	n/a	0	1323
2000	844	400	72	226	7	n/a	n/a	0	1549
2001	889	445	97	263	6	n/a	n/a	0	1700
2002	622	259	77	172	3	n/a	n/a	0	1133
2003	622	259	77	172	3	n/a	n/a	0	1133
2004	666	309	71	209	4	n/a	n/a	0	1259
2005	726	373	85	253	8	n/a	n/a	0	1445
2006	744	370	96	288	11	n/a	n/a	0	1509
2007	548	251	81	243	7	n/a	n/a	60	1190
2008	524	249	78	238	3	n/a	n/a	62	1154
2009	510	274	87	211	4	n/a	n/a	76	1162
2010	479	273	78	209	5	n/a	n/a	76	1120
2011	430	270	94	256	5	2	57	0	1114
2012	414	307	92	255	3	2	61	0	1134
2013	380	284	85	270	3	3	57	0	1082
2014	397	283	70	247	6	2	49	0	1054
2015	407	283	73	227	3	2	58	0	1053
2016	386	262	79	252	5	7	52	0	1043
2017	376	258	98	257	3	5	58	0	1055
2018	370	263	98	297	1	3	52	0	1084
2019	336	275	125	287	1	1	57	0	1082
2020	326	262	146	288	1	4	61	0	1088
2021	289	244	144	260	1	4	67	0	1009
2022	304	266	127	249	1	3	75	0	1025
2023	280	274	133	250	1	2	77	0	1017

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Benito Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1998	1244	65.0	19.1	35.1
1999	1323	80.0	16.5	28.3
2000	1549	86.0	18.0	26.3
2001	1700	93.0	18.3	29.4
2002	1133	60.0	18.9	30.5
2003	1133	60.0	18.9	30.5
2004	1259	61.0	20.6	31.6
2005	1445	72.0	20.1	35.7
2006	1509	84.0	18.0	32.4
2007	1190	62.0	19.2	30.4
2008	1154	70.5	16.4	31.4
2009	1162	75.8	16.1	37.1
2010	1120	71.0	15.7	39.9
2011	1114	66.0	16.8	39.9
2012	1134	63.5	17.8	41.4
2013	1082	68.0	15.9	44.5
2014	1054	60.0	17.5	45.7
2015	1053	63.0	16.7	44.9
2016	1043	61.0	17.0	46.3
2017	1055	59.0	17.8	46
2018	1084	58.0	18.6	48.8
2019	1082	55.0	19.6	45.7
2020	1088	60.5	17.9	45.4
2021	1009	56.5	17.8	48.4
2022	1025	53.5	19.1	42.8
2023	1017	51.5	19.7	47.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Benito Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1998	1244	65.0	19.1	35.1
1999	1323	80.0	16.5	28.3
2000	1549	86.0	18.0	26.3
2001	1700	93.0	18.3	29.4
2002	1133	60.0	18.9	30.5
2003	1133	60.0	18.9	30.5
2004	1259	61.0	20.6	31.6
2005	1445	72.0	20.1	35.7
2006	1509	84.0	18.0	32.4
2007	1190	62.0	19.2	30.4
2008	1154	70.5	16.4	31.4
2009	1162	75.8	16.1	37.1
2010	1120	71.0	15.7	39.9
2011	1114	66.0	16.8	39.9
2012	1134	63.5	17.8	41.4
2013	1082	68.0	15.9	44.5
2014	1054	60.0	17.5	45.7
2015	1053	63.0	16.7	44.9
2016	1043	61.0	17.0	46.3
2017	1055	59.0	17.8	46
2018	1084	58.0	18.6	48.8
2019	1082	55.0	19.6	45.7
2020	1088	60.5	17.9	45.4
2021	1009	56.5	17.8	48.4
2022	1025	53.5	19.1	42.8
2023	1017	51.5	19.7	47.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Benito Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$243 (3.6%)	$6,545 (96.4%)	$6,788
2019	$251 (3.6%)	$6,769 (96.4%)	$7,020
2020	$348 (4.6%)	$7,137 (95.4%)	$7,485
2021	$900 (11.6%)	$6,868 (88.4%)	$7,768
2022	$804 (10.3%)	$6,979 (89.7%)	$7,782
2023	$1,381 (16.6%)	$6,932 (83.4%)	$8,313

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Benito Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 366^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 345^th of 1177 Middle schools	4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Benito Middle School)	61	67	6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	53	52	1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Benito Middle School)	52	60	8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	49	45	4%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Benito Middle School)	60	58	2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	54	49	5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Benito Middle School)	71	19	52%
7th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	62	26	36%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Benito Middle School)	64	59	5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	53	47	6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Benito Middle School)	38	58	20%
8th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	31	47	16%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Benito Middle School)	57	50	7%
8th Grade Science (Hillsborough)	47	41	6%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Benito Middle School)	85	78	7%
End of Course Civics (Hillsborough)	67	64	3%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Benito Middle School)	95	99	4%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Hillsborough)	63	60	3%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Benito Middle School)	100	100
End of Course Geometry (Hillsborough)	57	53	4%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1082	1017	6%
African American	275	274	0.4%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	125	133	6.4%
Hispanic	287	250	12.9%
Pacific Islander	1	2	100%
White	336	280	16.7%
Two or More Races	57	77	35.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	45.7%	47.2%	1.5%

Schools Near Benito Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)			FAST Math (2024)			Statewide Science Science (2024)	EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Benito Middle School	Public	6-8	10101 Cross Creek Blvd	Tampa	33647	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 631-4694	1,017	52	19.7	47.2%	280 (27.5%)	274 (26.9%)	250 (24.6%)	133 (13.1%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	77 (7.6%)	68.8	343^rd of 1196 public middle schools	71.3%		68.1	345^th of 1177 public middle schools	70.7%	2	71.0	61.0	59.0	62.0	25.0	67.0	57.0	98.0	100.0	80.0	$8,313	$1,381	$6,932
Dr. John Long Middle School	Public	6-8	2025 Mansfield Blvd	Wesley Chapel	33543	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(813) 346-6200	1,349	60	22.4	28.2%	581 (43.1%)	150 (11.1%)	378 (28.0%)	159 (11.8%)	1 (0.1%)	8 (0.6%)	72 (5.3%)	87	125^th of 1196 public middle schools	89.5%		84.7	145^th of 1177 public middle schools	87.7%	20	79.0	69.0	66.0	84.0	78.0	91.0	65.0	100.0	100.0	82.0	$7,219	$855	$6,364
Liberty Middle School	Public	6-8	17400 Commerce Park Blvd	Tampa	33647	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 558-1180	1,081	56	19.3	45.1%	235 (21.7%)	279 (25.8%)	368 (34.0%)	139 (12.9%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	58 (5.4%)	56.4	498^th of 1196 public middle schools	58.4%		59.5	438^th of 1177 public middle schools	62.8%	60	52.0	51.0	51.0	56.0	38.0	67.0	52.0	90.0	100.0	75.0	$8,805	$1,567	$7,238
Terrace Community Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	10735 Raulerson Ranch Road	Tampa	33367	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	No	(813) 450-3518	659	37	17.8	4.9%	165 (25.0%)	86 (13.1%)	92 (14.0%)	266 (40.4%)	6 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (6.7%)	95.9	19^th of 1196 public middle schools	98.4%		96.4	21^st of 1177 public middle schools	98.2%	2	89.0	89.0	88.0	94.0		94.0	78.0	96.0	100.0	97.0	$10,117	$1,571	$8,546
Greco Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	6925 E Fowler Ave	Temple Terrace	33617	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 987-6926	700	39	18.1	77.0%	84 (12.0%)	369 (52.7%)	193 (27.6%)	12 (1.7%)	3 (0.4%)	3 (0.4%)	36 (5.1%)	8.9	1115^th of 1196 public middle schools	6.8%		10.1	1082^nd of 1177 public middle schools	8.1%	33	27.0	16.0	20.0	20.0	13.0	27.0	17.0	92.0		34.0	$11,537	$3,443	$8,093
Jennings Middle School	Public	6-8	9325 Governors Run Dr	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 740-4575	792	40	20.0	79.5%	179 (22.6%)	286 (36.1%)	303 (38.3%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	18 (2.3%)	8.7	1118^th of 1196 public middle schools	6.5%		11.1	1072^nd of 1177 public middle schools	8.9%	46	27.0	18.0	20.0	22.0	10.0	20.0	20.0	54.0		52.0	$9,592	$2,673	$6,919
Thomas E. Weightman Middle School	Public	6-8	30649 Wells Rd	Wesley Chapel	33545	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(813) 794-0200	1,250	63	19.9	40.0%	508 (40.6%)	188 (15.0%)	408 (32.6%)	49 (3.9%)	2 (0.2%)	3 (0.2%)	92 (7.4%)	52.2	555^th of 1196 public middle schools	53.6%		54.9	496^th of 1177 public middle schools	57.9%	59	51.0	56.0	48.0	49.0	49.0	60.0	45.0	95.0	100.0	68.0	$7,241	$941	$6,300
Excelsior Prep Charter Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	2156 University Square Mall	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(813) 644-9060	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Pine View Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	5334 Parkway Blvd	Land O Lakes	34639	Pasco County	Pasco	No	Yes	No	No	(813) 794-4800	1,170	64	18.3	32.4%	734 (62.7%)	75 (6.4%)	274 (23.4%)	30 (2.6%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.3%)	53 (4.5%)	53.4	538^th of 1196 public middle schools	55.0%		64.6	386^th of 1177 public middle schools	67.2%	152	48.0	50.0	52.0	42.0	41.0	72.0	54.0	96.0	96.0	71.0	$7,512	$668	$6,844
Cypress Creek Middle School	Public	6-8	8127 Old Pasco Rd	Wesley Chapel	33544	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(813) 346-4600	1,399	69	20.3	39.5%	702 (50.2%)	137 (9.8%)	447 (32.0%)	48 (3.4%)	2 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	62 (4.4%)	52.3	553^rd of 1196 public middle schools	53.8%		58.3	455^th of 1177 public middle schools	61.3%	98	58.0	51.0	47.0	58.0	56.0	57.0	38.0	96.0	100.0	74.0	$6,421	$698	$5,724

Frequently Asked Questions about Benito Middle School

What district is Benito Middle School in?

Hillsborough

Is Benito Middle School a good school?

Benito Middle School ranks 343^rd of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Benito Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,017 students attended Benito Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Benito Middle School attend?

Students who attend Benito Middle School usually go on to attend Wharton High School

What is the racial makeup of Benito Middle School?

Students at Benito Middle School are 28% White, 27% African American, 25% Hispanic, 13% Asian, 8% Two or more races.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.