Benton Middle School was named for Louise A. Benton, a local resident who worked with disabled and troubled youth. The school ranks 29th out of the 324 Virginia public middle schools. Benton Middle School houses students from sixth to eighth grade, and it features a variety of special education programs. Students in the Career and Technology classes explore a wide variety of occupations, using a mixture of lab and technology-based instructional programs. Benton Middle School is also home to a Deaf Awareness Club, which brings deaf and hearing students together twice a month. Club members learn to sign and explore various aspects of deaf culture.