Public School Review - Established 2003

Benson Middle School vs. Joyce Clark Middle School

Should you attend Benson Middle School or Joyce Clark Middle School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Benson Middle School
360 S Patagonia St
Benson, AZ 85602
: 
7/
10
Top 50%
Joyce Clark Middle School
1045 S Lenzner Ave
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
: 
6/
10
Top 50%
Overview
Serving 285 students in grades 5-8, Benson Middle School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Arizona for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 48% (which is higher than the Arizona state average of 40%).
The student-teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Arizona state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Arizona state average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Joyce Clark Middle School in Sierra Vista, AZ, serves 563 students in grades 6–8 with a student–teacher ratio of 19:1, which is higher than the state average ratio of approximately 16:1.
Math proficiency is 27%, which is lower than the Arizona state average of 34% and the Sierra Vista Unified District average of 34%, with a decline from 44% in 2019 to 27% in 2023.
Reading proficiency stands at 40%, approximately equal to the Arizona state average of 40%, but below the district average of 44%, showing a downward trend from 81% in 2011 to 40% in 2023.
Science proficiency is 20%, which is lower than the state average of 24%, indicating below–average performance in science compared to state and district levels.
Enrollment declined from 809 students in 2018 to 563 students in 2023, while the percentage of students eligible for free lunch increased notably from 25% in 2022 to 41% in 2023, reflecting changes in the socioeconomic composition.
Grades Offered
5-8
6-8
Total Students
285 students
563 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Benson Middle School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Joyce Clark Middle School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
54% | 46%
50% | 50%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Benson Middle School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Joyce Clark Middle School.
Total Classroom Teachers
16 teachers
29 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Benson Middle School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Joyce Clark Middle School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
19:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Benson Middle School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and the state of Arizona, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Joyce Clark Middle School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and the state of Arizona, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#596 out of 1921 schools in AZ
(Top 50%)
#871 out of 1921 schools in AZ
(Top 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Benson Middle School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Joyce Clark Middle School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
40%
(Top 50% in AZ)
27%
(Top 50% in AZ)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Benson Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and Arizona public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Joyce Clark Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and Arizona public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
48%
(Top 50% in AZ)(21-22 School Year Data)
40%
(Top 50% in AZ)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Benson Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and Arizona public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Joyce Clark Middle School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and Arizona public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
20-24%
(Top 50% in AZ)(21-22 School Year Data)
20%
(Bottom 50% in AZ)(21-22 School Year Data)

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Benson Middle School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Joyce Clark Middle School by grade.
Grade 6 Students
95
-
Grade 7 Students
97
262
Grade 8 Students
93
301

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Benson Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Joyce Clark Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
% Asian
n/a
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Benson Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Joyce Clark Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hispanic
35%
42%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Benson Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Joyce Clark Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
1%
5%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Benson Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2019-20 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Joyce Clark Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
57%
42%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Benson Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Joyce Clark Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
2%
1%
% Two or more races
4%
8%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Benson Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Joyce Clark Middle School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and in Arizona, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.56
0.64
This chart showcases the diversity score of Benson Middle School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and Arizona, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Joyce Clark Middle School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and Arizona, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
55%
56%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Benson Middle School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and Arizona, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Joyce Clark Middle School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and Arizona, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
10%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Benson Middle School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Benson Unified School District (79226) and Arizona, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Joyce Clark Middle School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Sierra Vista Unified District (4175) and Arizona, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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