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Below Average

#1624 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Benson Primary School

Elementary School · Benson Unified School District (79226)

360 S PATAGONIA ST, Benson, AZ 85602

Enrollment

515

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Benson

#3 of 4

public schools

Arizona elementary schools

#954 of 1,216

In district

#4 of 5

Benson Unified School District (79226)

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Benson Primary School

Benson Primary School is an elementary school located in the charming town of Benson, Arizona, in Cochise County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has a diverse enrollment of 515 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 19.1:1, Benson Primary School provides a supportive learning environment.

The school has 27 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to the academic and social development of their students. According to MySchoolScout, Benson Primary School has a rating of 6.3 out of 10, placing it in the 65th percentile among Arizona schools. The academic score of 6.7/10 indicates that the school is focusing on student development with room for improvement in test scores, where 40% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading and 39% in Math.

Benson is a small, close-knit community with a median household income of $54,577 and a median home value of $162,700. About 24% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is relatively low at 11.4%. Benson Primary School sits at the heart of this welcoming town, where students benefit from the strong sense of community and support from local families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,529

Benson Primary School — Students at Benson Primary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
61%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
40%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.5/10.

How Benson Primary School Compares

See how Benson Primary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
19th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Location

360 S PATAGONIA ST, Benson, AZ 85602

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benson Primary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Walter J Meyer School (rated 8.7/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Tombstone), which scores notably higher. Another option is Huachuca City School (rated 8.5/10, 23.0 miles away, in nearby Tombstone), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Center for Academic Success #5 - Sierra Vista K-8 (rated 7.8/10, 28.0 miles away, in nearby Sierra Vista), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Benson, see our Benson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Benson Middle School Benson 0.1 mi 7.9
Benson High School Benson 0.2 mi 6.3
Benson Digital Learning Center Benson 0.2 mi 6.2
Benson Digital Learning Center Online Benson 0.2 mi 4.4
Pomerene Elementary School Pomerene 2.6 mi 7.7
St David Elementary School Saint David 6.1 mi 7.1
St David High School Saint David 6.1 mi 7.9
SAN PEDRO VALLEY ACADEMY Huachuca City 14.2 mi 7.4
Tombstone High School Tombstone 21.1 mi 6.6
Huachuca City School Tombstone 23.0 mi 8.5
Walter J Meyer School Tombstone 22.1 mi 8.7
CHRIST LUTHERAN VAIL EC AND EDU CREATION SCHOOL Vail 23.3 mi 6.8
Buena High School Sierra Vista 27.4 mi 6.1
SVUSD AOI Sierra Vista 27.4 mi
Berean Academy Sierra Vista 27.5 mi 6.5
Bella Vista Elementary School Sierra Vista 27.6 mi 7.1
Carmichael Elementary School Sierra Vista 27.7 mi 7.0
VERITAS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Sierra Vista 27.8 mi 7.9
CTD - Cochise College Willcox 27.7 mi
Center for Academic Success #5 - Sierra Vista K-8 Sierra Vista 28.0 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,725

Median Home Value

$195,500

Median Rent

$760/mo

Population

9,860

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

77.5%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

14%

Median Age

55.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benson Primary School has a median household income of $53,725. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,500, with a median rent of $760/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Adams Elementary School Mesa, AZ 4.9
Annie Kellond Elementary School Tucson, AZ 4.9
Brinton Elementary Mesa, AZ 4.9
Centennial Elementary School Tucson, AZ 4.9
Champion San Tan Scottsdale, AZ 4.9
Ellsworth Elementary School Queen Creek, AZ 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benson Primary School

What grades does Benson Primary School serve?

Benson Primary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Benson Primary School?

Benson Primary School has an enrollment of approximately 515 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benson Primary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Benson Primary School is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benson Primary School rank in AZ?

Benson Primary School is ranked #1624 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.

What is Benson Primary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benson Primary School has a composite rating of 4.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Benson Primary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benson Primary School has 42.7% math proficiency and 45.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benson Primary School a charter school?

No, Benson Primary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benson Primary School a Title I school?

No, Benson Primary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
515
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Cochise County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Benson Unified School District (79226)
District Enrollment
1,300
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,829
District Rank
#4 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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