Summary:
Colma, California, is served by one public middle school, Benjamin Franklin Intermediate, which educates about 500 students in grades 6 through 8 within the Jefferson Elementary district.
Academic performance at Benjamin Franklin Intermediate is significantly below both district and state averages, with less than a third of students proficient in English and math, and only about 15% proficient in science. However, the data shows students tend to make progress during their time there, as proficiency rates generally improve from 6th to 8th grade. A concerning trend is the school's declining statewide ranking over the past three years, now placing it in the bottom third of all California middle schools.
Despite these academic challenges, the school maintains a chronic absenteeism rate lower than the state average, which is a relative strength. It also operates with a reasonable student-teacher ratio and substantial per-student funding. For parents, this indicates the school faces specific instructional or curricular hurdles rather than just a lack of resources, particularly in science education, which warrants attention from district leadership to help improve student outcomes.
Thank you for your feedback!