Middle Schools in Valparaiso Community Schools

The Valparaiso Community Schools district in Indiana is home to two middle schools: Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School. While both schools serve students in grades 6-8, Valparaiso Community Schools district data reveals that Benjamin Franklin Middle School is the standout performer, consistently ranking higher and outperforming its counterpart across various academic measures.

Benjamin Franklin Middle School is ranked 28th out of 485 Indiana middle schools for the 2023-2024 school year, with a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. In contrast, Thomas Jefferson Middle School is ranked 91st. Benjamin Franklin Middle School has maintained its 5-star rating for the past three school years, while Thomas Jefferson Middle School holds a 4-star rating. Academically, Benjamin Franklin Middle School outperforms the district and state averages in ILEARN test subjects, with 63.29% of students proficient or better in ELA, compared to 61.38% for the district and 41.1-42.6% statewide. Additionally, Benjamin Franklin Middle School has a lower chronic absenteeism rate of 9.4% compared to 13.9% at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

While both schools receive similar funding and resources, the student demographics differ significantly. Benjamin Franklin Middle School has a student population that is 77.95% White, 12.06% Hispanic, and 2.8% African American, while Thomas Jefferson Middle School has a more diverse student body, with 70% White, 15.16% Hispanic, and 6.41% African American. This disparity in student demographics may be a contributing factor to the performance gap between the two schools, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all students within the Valparaiso Community Schools district.