Summary:
Zip code 48184 is home to just one middle school, Benjamin Franklin Middle School, which serves grades 6-8 and is part of the Wayne-Westland Community School District.
For parents considering this area, the most important takeaway is that Benjamin Franklin Middle School faces significant academic and attendance challenges. The school ranks in the bottom 14th percentile statewide, with only about 14% of 6th and 7th graders proficient in English Language Arts and a staggering 4-6% proficient in math on the M-Step. Chronic absenteeism is a major concern, affecting 58.6% of students—more than double the state average of 27.9%. The school also serves a high-poverty population, with nearly 68% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. Despite spending a substantial $18,067 per student, outcomes remain low, suggesting that financial resources alone aren't solving the underlying issues.
There are a few nuances worth noting. While M-Step ELA scores are low, 8th graders scored much higher on the PSAT ELA at 46.3% proficient, which may indicate students perform better on different test formats. Science is a relative bright spot, with 25% of 8th graders proficient—above the district average of 22.7%. Year-over-year progress is inconsistent: 6th grade ELA improved from 10.3% to 14.1%, but 7th grade ELA dropped from 21.3% to 14.4%. Math scores remained critically low and stagnant. For parents, this school clearly needs strong support at home, especially around attendance and foundational math skills, but the science and PSAT results suggest some areas of potential strength to build upon.
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