Average
#1062 of 1,986 schools in MN
Benson Secondary
High School · BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
1400 MONTANA AVE, Benson, MN 56215
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benson
#2 of 2
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#271 of 628
In district
#2 of 2
BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Benson Secondary
Benson Secondary, located in Benson, Minnesota, is a regular public school serving students from sixth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 356 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, the school offers a relatively personalized learning environment. The dedicated teaching staff includes 26 full-time equivalent teachers who work to support each student's educational journey.
Academically, Benson Secondary has room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1452 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota (28th percentile). Students perform at around the average level for their grade in both ELA/Reading, where 40% are proficient or above, and Math, with 36% reaching proficiency. The school continues to focus on enhancing its academic programs to better serve its students.
Set in a remote rural area, Benson Secondary is deeply rooted in its community, providing a supportive environment for students as they navigate their educational paths.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Benson Secondary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Benson Secondary — Students at Benson Secondary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.3/10.
How Benson Secondary Compares
See how Benson Secondary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 35% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 38% (2022).
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 7.2/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Hancock), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MINNEWASKA SECONDARY (rated 6.4/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Glenwood), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MN River Valley ALC-Seatbased (rated 6.3/10, 26.2 miles away, in nearby Montevideo), with a very similar rating. 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 | 6.4 |
| Heartland Girls Ranch Benson | 0.7 mi | — |
| MURDOCK ELEMENTARY Murdock | 11.9 mi | 7.4 |
| LAKE COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Starbuck | 15.8 mi | — |
| HANCOCK ELEMENTARY Hancock | 15.4 mi | 8.2 |
| HANCOCK SEC. Hancock | 15.4 mi | 7.2 |
| GLACIAL HILLS ELEMENTARY Starbuck | 20.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Minnewaska Area WIN Academy Starbuck | 20.4 mi | 7.0 |
| KERKHOVEN SECONDARY Kerkhoven | 15.9 mi | 3.1 |
| MINNEWASKA SECONDARY Glenwood | 22.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Minnewaska Area Intermediate School Glenwood | 22.2 mi | 7.1 |
| MINNEWASKA AREA JUNIOR HIGH Glenwood | 22.2 mi | 6.3 |
| RAMSEY ELEMENTARY Montevideo | 25.7 mi | 7.6 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| MINNEWASKA AREA ELEMENTARY Glenwood | 24.8 mi | 7.9 |
| MINNEWASKA EARLY CHILDHOOD SP.ED. Glenwood | 24.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Sanford Elementary School Montevideo | 26.7 mi | 6.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Benson Secondary has a median household income of $58,198. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,400, with a median rent of $940/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| FAIR High Minneapolis, MN | 6.2 |
| FERTILE-BELTRAMI SECONDARY Fertile, MN | 6.2 |
| Eden Prairie Online Secondary Eden Prairie, MN | 6.3 |
| LE SUEUR-HENDERSON HIGH SCHOOL Le Sueur, MN | 6.3 |
| Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Secondary Long Prairie, MN | 6.3 |
| WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY SEC. Walker, MN | 6.3 |
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 is ranked #1062 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Benson Secondary's MySchoolScout rating?
Benson Secondary 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 Benson Secondary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benson Secondary has 35.7% math proficiency and 40.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (263/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Benson). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (320) 843-2710
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 774
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,644
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.