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Average

#739 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 37% in state

Benson Secondary

High School · BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

1400 MONTANA AVE, Benson, MN 56215

Enrollment

356

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#739 of 1,992

In Benson

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Benson Secondary

6.7/10

High School in Benson · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Benson Area Learning Center

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Northside Elementary

5.1/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Benson Secondary

Benson Secondary is a public high school in Benson, MN, part of BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Benson Secondary serves approximately 356 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Benson Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #739 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Benson Secondary show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts above MN schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Benson Secondary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness9.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,644
Chronic Absenteeism25.3%

Benson Secondary — Students at Benson Secondary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
52%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
45%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
49%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
56%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
35%
ELA
38%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Benson Secondary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
63th percentile in MN
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
6.7/10
Average
Sports
3
2 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics3sports offered
2 boys'·1 girls'·5 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1400 MONTANA AVE, Benson, MN 56215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benson Secondary may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HANCOCK SEC. (rated 8.5/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Hancock), which scores notably higher. Another option is MINNEWASKA SECONDARY (rated 6.6/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Glenwood), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MN River Valley ALC-Seatbased (rated 5.6/10, 26.2 miles away, in nearby Montevideo), a more accessible option. For more schools in Benson, see our Benson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.7 mi
School Distance Rating
BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER Benson 0.0 mi
NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY Benson 0.4 mi 5.1
Heartland Girls Ranch Benson 0.7 mi
MURDOCK ELEMENTARY Murdock 11.9 mi 6.8
LAKE COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Starbuck 15.8 mi
HANCOCK ELEMENTARY Hancock 15.4 mi 9.0
HANCOCK SEC. Hancock 15.4 mi 8.5
GLACIAL HILLS ELEMENTARY Starbuck 20.4 mi 4.9
Minnewaska Area WIN Academy Starbuck 20.4 mi 4.4
KERKHOVEN SECONDARY Kerkhoven 15.9 mi 4.8
MINNEWASKA SECONDARY Glenwood 22.2 mi 6.6
Minnewaska Area Intermediate School Glenwood 22.2 mi 6.1
MINNEWASKA AREA JUNIOR HIGH Glenwood 22.2 mi 5.8
RAMSEY ELEMENTARY Montevideo 25.7 mi 6.8
SWWC ELC - Montevideo Montevideo 25.9 mi
Hawks Nest Early Childhood Center Montevideo 26.2 mi
MN River Valley ALC-Seatbased Montevideo 26.2 mi 5.6
MINNEWASKA AREA ELEMENTARY Glenwood 24.8 mi 6.9
MINNEWASKA EARLY CHILDHOOD SP.ED. Glenwood 24.8 mi 5.9
Sanford Elementary School Montevideo 26.7 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,198

Median Home Value

$161,400

Median Rent

$940/mo

Population

4,701

College Educated

27.1%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

43.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ubah Academy Hopkins, MN 6.7
WARREN-ALVARADO-OSLO SECONDARY Warren, MN 6.7
WIN-E-MAC SECONDARY Erskine, MN 6.7
CROSBY-IRONTON SECONDARY Crosby, MN 6.8
DILWORTH-GLYNDON-FELTON SENIOR HIGH Glyndon, MN 6.8
HGA Secondary Saint Paul, MN 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benson Secondary

What grades does Benson Secondary serve?

Benson Secondary serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Benson Secondary?

Benson Secondary has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benson Secondary?

The student-teacher ratio at Benson Secondary is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benson Secondary rank in MN?

Benson Secondary ranks #739 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Benson Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?

Benson Secondary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Benson Secondary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benson Secondary has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Benson Secondary a charter school?

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

Is Benson Secondary a Title I school?

No, Benson Secondary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benson Secondary?

43.8% of students at Benson Secondary 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

Walk Score
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Swift County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.3%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
774
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,644
District Rank
#1 of 2

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