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#2001 of 3,813 schools in IL

Benjamin Elem School

Elementary School · McLean County USD 5

6006 Ireland Grove Rd, Bloomington, IL 61705

Enrollment

629

Student-Teacher

18.5:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bloomington

#5 of 16

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,229 of 2,326

In district

#7 of 23

McLean County USD 5

Academic performance

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Benjamin Elem School

Benjamin Elementary School serves 629 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Bloomington, Illinois, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1 across 34 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned recognition as a strong academic performer, ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #621 out of 3,819 Illinois elementary schools. The school demonstrates solid academic achievement with 61% of students performing at or above proficiency in mathematics and 51% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels.

These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality elementary education and have contributed to its MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. Benjamin Elementary draws families from an established community where 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $109,606. The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 8.7%, with median home values of $286,800, indicating a stable residential area that values education.

Located on Ireland Grove Road in McLean County, Benjamin Elementary School operates within Bloomington's small city environment, providing students with both educational opportunities and the benefits of a close-knit community setting where families can build lasting connections.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51%
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,528

Benjamin Elem School — Students at Benjamin Elem School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

10.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
66%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
56%
ELA
44%
2022
ELA
51%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Benjamin Elem School Compares

See how Benjamin Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in IL
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

6006 Ireland Grove Rd, Bloomington, IL 61705

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benjamin Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tri-Valley Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Downs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stevenson Elem School (rated 7.1/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Colene Hoose Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Normal), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bloomington, see our Bloomington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Tri-Valley Elem School Downs 4.4 mi 7.3
Tri-Valley High School Downs 4.5 mi 6.8
CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Bloomington 3.7 mi 6.4
Tri-Valley Middle School Downs 4.6 mi 5.8
Evans Junior High School Bloomington 3.9 mi 5.3
Northpoint Elementary School Bloomington 5.1 mi 6.5
Stevenson Elem School Bloomington 4.8 mi 7.1
Normal Community High School Normal 5.7 mi 5.7
Grove Elementary School Normal 5.6 mi 5.4
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Bloomington 5.2 mi 4.6
Oakland Elementary School Bloomington 5.4 mi 3.8
Sugar Creek Elem School Normal 6.1 mi 6.4
Towanda Elem School Towanda 7.3 mi 4.2
Washington Elem School Bloomington 5.8 mi 4.4
Bloomington High School Bloomington 5.9 mi 6.5
Bloomington Jr High School Bloomington 6.0 mi 6.1
Colene Hoose Elem School Normal 6.3 mi 7.0
EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Normal 6.6 mi 6.8
Cedar Ridge Elem School Bloomington 6.4 mi 4.0
Chiddix Jr High School Normal 6.8 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$120,470

Median Home Value

$310,100

Median Rent

$1,294/mo

Population

12,973

College Educated

56.5%

Homeownership

80.3%

Avg Commute

20.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

39.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benjamin Elem School has a median household income of $120,470. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $310,100, with a median rent of $1,294/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago, IL 6.2
Big Hollow Primary School Ingleside, IL 6.2
Budlong Elem School Chicago, IL 6.2
Churchill Elem School Oswego, IL 6.2
Conley Elementary School Algonquin, IL 6.2
Constance Lane Elementary School Rockford, IL 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benjamin Elem School

What grades does Benjamin Elem School serve?

Benjamin Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Benjamin Elem School?

Benjamin Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 629 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Elem School?

The student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Elem School is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benjamin Elem School rank in IL?

Benjamin Elem School is ranked #2001 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Benjamin Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benjamin Elem School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Benjamin Elem School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benjamin Elem School has 61.0% math proficiency and 51.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benjamin Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Benjamin Elem School a Title I school?

No, Benjamin Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benjamin Elem School?

10.3% of students at Benjamin Elem School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (68/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
629
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
10.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
McLean County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

McLean County USD 5
District Enrollment
12,518
Schools in District
26
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,620
District Rank
#7 of 23

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

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