Benjamin Friedman Middle

Summary:

Benjamin Friedman Middle is a public middle school in Taunton, Massachusetts, serving grades 5-7. The school has seen a gradual decrease in its white student population, from 70.3% in 2020-2021 to 62.05% in 2022-2023, while the percentage of African American and Hispanic students has increased over the same period.

Academically, Benjamin Friedman Middle consistently outperforms the Taunton district average in MCAS proficiency rates for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science across all grade levels. However, the school's performance is still below the state average in most subject areas and grade levels. The school performs relatively well for its Hispanic student population, ranking in the top 30-40% of Massachusetts middle schools in ELA and Mathematics, but its performance for special education and disabled students is in the bottom 25-30%.

Compared to nearby middle schools, such as Harold L. Qualters Middle and Berkley Middle School, Benjamin Friedman Middle generally performs better academically, particularly in ELA and Science. However, the school lags behind some of its higher-performing neighbors in both academic achievement and overall SchoolDigger rankings. By addressing the challenges in supporting its most vulnerable student populations and learning from the practices of higher-performing schools, Benjamin Friedman Middle can work towards providing a more equitable and high-quality education for all its students.


Detail:

Public 5-7

 500 Norton Avenue
       Taunton, MA  02780


(508) 821-1493

District: Taunton

SchoolDigger Rank:
269th of 493 Massachusetts Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,038 Help


Students who attend Benjamin Friedman Middle usually attend:

High:    Taunton High

Feeder schools for Benjamin Friedman Middle:

Elementary:    Edmund Hatch Bennett
    Joseph C Chamberlain

Student/teacher ratio:  14.3 Help
Number of students:  730

Racial breakdown:

White:
62.1%
African American:
18.2%
Hispanic:
13.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  50.1% Help


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 Compare Benjamin Friedman Middle to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Benjamin Friedman Middle ranks worse than 54.6% of middle schools in Massachusetts. It also ranks first among 3 ranked middle schools in the Taunton School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 41.71. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Benjamin Friedman Middle has the largest middle school student body size in the Taunton School District. Student population at Benjamin Friedman Middle is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (62.1%), African American (18.2%), Hispanic (13.6%). (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Benjamin Friedman Middle is 14.3. 1 middle schools in the Taunton School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Benjamin Friedman Middle employs 50.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Benjamin Friedman Middle is $15,038, which is the lowest among 3 middle schools in the Taunton School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Benjamin Friedman Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Benjamin Friedman Middle 269th of 493 Massachusetts public middle schools. (See Benjamin Friedman Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Taunton:

SchoolDigger ranks Taunton 299th of 351 Massachusetts school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Benjamin Friedman Middle

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Rank History for all students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 33.25 244th 339 28.0%
2004 41.04 220th 344 36.0%
2005 41.61 223rd 356 37.4%
2006 53.49 199th 399 50.1%
2007 57.95 187th 399 53.1%
2008 56.40 193rd 407 52.6%
2009 53.87 213th 409 47.9%
2010 51.77 234th 434 46.1%
2011 49.42 248th 449 44.8%
2012 54.48 219th 455 51.9%
2013 55.55 210th 455 53.8%
2014 45.12 264th 455 42.0%
2015 45.15 247th 441 44.0%
2016 40.22 293rd 482 39.2%
2017 47.54 252nd 487 48.3%
2018 50.42 242nd 484 50.0%
2019 48.48 264th 498 47.0%
2021 41.58 285th 501 43.1%
2022 43.48 266th 497 46.5%
2023 47.33 248th 501 50.5%
2024 41.71 269th 493 45.4%
See the entire list of Massachusetts Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.10 44th 84 47.6%
2019 50.22 40th 87 54.0%
2022 39.13 57th 102 44.1%
2023 38.49 62nd 110 43.6%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.17 272nd 467 41.8%
2019 45.54 255th 484 47.3%
2021 43.35 251st 489 48.7%
2022 46.69 239th 503 52.5%
2023 24.21 368th 444 17.1%
2024 23.84 364th 441 17.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.86 236th 438 46.1%
2019 53.89 192nd 452 57.5%
2021 46.34 222nd 462 51.9%
2022 48.49 223rd 489 54.4%
2023 55.06 194th 481 59.7%
2024 48.30 216th 469 53.9%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.10 217th 463 53.1%
2019 58.35 203rd 478 57.5%
2021 49.45 232nd 483 52.0%
2022 56.95 186th 494 62.3%
2023 50.00 228th 489 53.4%
2024 36.42 288th 481 40.1%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.71 392nd 417 6.0%
2019 27.34 310th 424 26.9%
2021 27.40 317th 431 26.5%
2022 27.73 326th 445 26.7%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.85 254th 466 45.5%
2019 36.83 305th 478 36.2%
2021 32.76 316th 485 34.8%
2022 32.65 324th 497 34.8%
2023 45.04 251st 489 48.7%
2024 46.81 231st 483 52.2%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Tested In Person students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 47.24 253rd 491 48.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Tested In Person Students!

Rank History for Tested Remotely students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 25.12 260th 339 23.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Tested Remotely Students!

Rank History for African American students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.03 67th 172 61.0%
2019 28.18 153rd 195 21.5%
2021 52.95 80th 193 58.5%
2022 42.73 115th 212 45.8%
2023 56.37 78th 209 62.7%
2024 42.18 111th 202 45.0%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 56.99 112th 309 63.8%
2019 47.48 155th 322 51.9%
2021 30.47 240th 335 28.4%
2022 61.19 103rd 368 72.0%
2023 53.43 143rd 364 60.7%
2024 57.40 120th 378 68.3%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Benjamin Friedman Middle

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.35 240th 395 39.2%
2019 41.54 234th 396 40.9%
2021 35.26 262nd 401 34.7%
2022 35.64 251st 404 37.9%
2023 37.96 237th 403 41.2%
2024 34.69 245th 392 37.5%
See the entire list of Best Massachusetts Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Benjamin Friedman Middle Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Monday, August 21, 2017

Open Quote I'm going to Friedman middle school and I can't wait to go its choirs is amazing it performed at Hopewell Elementary great school too and I saw pictures of the school and so comfortable and relaxing I can't wait to go Close Quote



Enrollment information for Benjamin Friedman Middle

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2002 904 32 8 34 0 n/a n/a 0 978
2003 904 32 8 34 0 n/a n/a 0 978
2004 882 26 7 24 0 n/a n/a 0 939
2005 879 34 3 25 0 n/a n/a 0 941
2006 850 34 1 53 0 n/a n/a 32 970
2007 800 39 4 61 3 n/a n/a 28 935
2008 803 39 5 57 3 n/a n/a 27 934
2009 787 36 7 46 1 0 28 0 905
2010 781 41 8 40 2 0 32 0 904
2011 819 61 11 90 3 0 41 0 1025
2012 607 61 9 82 2 0 40 0 801
2013 589 53 10 61 0 0 36 0 749
2014 591 48 10 74 1 0 31 0 755
2015 619 58 10 82 2 0 25 0 796
2016 600 61 5 86 4 1 36 0 793
2017 600 68 8 87 4 2 35 0 804
2018 564 74 6 76 2 2 38 0 762
2019 585 75 6 71 0 1 39 0 777
2020 561 96 7 89 4 0 34 0 791
2021 542 102 7 79 3 0 38 0 771
2022 468 123 9 91 4 0 44 0 739
2023 453 133 7 99 1 0 37 0 730

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 Benjamin Friedman Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 978 n/a n/a 22
2003 978 n/a n/a 22
2004 939 55.0 17.1 22.6
2005 941 55.4 17.0 27.3
2006 970 55.4 17.5 27
2007 935 55.0 17.0 27.5
2008 934 53.4 17.5 25.5
2009 905 56.1 16.1 28.1
2010 904 54.9 16.4 29.4
2011 1025 58.9 17.4 36.5
2012 801 49.7 16.1 40.7
2013 749 45.4 16.4 43.1
2014 755 47.1 16.0 44.8
2015 796 48.0 16.5 50.1
2016 793 49.0 16.1 n/a
2017 804 48.4 16.5 n/a
2018 762 51.3 14.8 n/a
2019 777 48.5 16.0 n/a
2020 791 51.3 15.4 n/a
2021 771 50.8 15.1 n/a
2022 739 50.5 14.6 n/a
2023 730 50.9 14.3 n/a

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 Benjamin Friedman Middle

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 978 n/a n/a 22
2003 978 n/a n/a 22
2004 939 55.0 17.1 22.6
2005 941 55.4 17.0 27.3
2006 970 55.4 17.5 27
2007 935 55.0 17.0 27.5
2008 934 53.4 17.5 25.5
2009 905 56.1 16.1 28.1
2010 904 54.9 16.4 29.4
2011 1025 58.9 17.4 36.5
2012 801 49.7 16.1 40.7
2013 749 45.4 16.4 43.1
2014 755 47.1 16.0 44.8
2015 796 48.0 16.5 50.1
2016 793 49.0 16.1 n/a
2017 804 48.4 16.5 n/a
2018 762 51.3 14.8 n/a
2019 777 48.5 16.0 n/a
2020 791 51.3 15.4 n/a
2021 771 50.8 15.1 n/a
2022 739 50.5 14.6 n/a
2023 730 50.9 14.3 n/a

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 Benjamin Friedman Middle

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $667 (5.0%) $12,611 (95.0%) $13,277
2020 $638 (4.7%) $12,878 (95.3%) $13,516
2021 $1,184 (7.9%) $13,854 (92.1%) $15,038

Data source: Massachusetts Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Benjamin Friedman Middle

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 264th of 498 Middle schoolsRanks 248th of 501 Middle schools
 3.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
5th Grade English Language Arts (Benjamin Friedman Middle)4335.8
 7.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Taunton)3826.4
 11.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5243.8
 8.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Benjamin Friedman Middle)3219.3
 12.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Taunton)3222.4
 9.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)4940.9
 8.2%
5th Grade Science (Benjamin Friedman Middle)4027.2
 12.8%
   5th Grade Science (Taunton)3524.9
 10.1%
   5th Grade Science (Massachusetts)4841.6
 6.4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Benjamin Friedman Middle)5547.9
 7.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Taunton)3734.9
 2.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5442.3
 11.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Benjamin Friedman Middle)4321
 22%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Taunton)3620.8
 15.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)5141
 10%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Benjamin Friedman Middle)5449.2
 4.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Taunton)3437
 3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Massachusetts)4840.5
 7.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Benjamin Friedman Middle)3824.7
 13.3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Taunton)2821
 7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Massachusetts)4838.1
 9.9%
All Grades English Language Arts (Benjamin Friedman Middle)5144.4
 6.6%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Taunton)3730.1
 6.9%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Massachusetts)5242.3
 9.7%
All Grades Mathematics (Benjamin Friedman Middle)3821.7
 16.3%
   All Grades Mathematics (Taunton)3522.5
 12.5%
   All Grades Mathematics (Massachusetts)4940.6
 8.4%
All Grades Science (Benjamin Friedman Middle)4027.2
 12.8%
   All Grades Science (Taunton)3623.8
 12.2%
   All Grades Science (Massachusetts)4741.2
 5.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students777730
 6%
African American75133
 77.3%
American Indian01
Asian67
 16.7%
Hispanic7199
 39.4%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White585453
 22.6%
Two or More Races3937
 5.1%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Benjamin Friedman Middle

Benjamin Friedman Middle ranks 269th of 493 Massachusetts middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Benjamin Friedman Middle are 62% White, 18% African American, 14% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

Students who attend Benjamin Friedman Middle usually go on to attend Taunton High

In the 2022-23 school year, 730 students attended Benjamin Friedman Middle.


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





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