Average
#1605 of 2,216 schools in MO
Thomas Hart Benton Elem.
Elementary School · INDEPENDENCE 30
429 S LESLIE, Independence, MO 64050
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Independence
#16 of 35
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#830 of 1,202
In district
#11 of 28
INDEPENDENCE 30
About Thomas Hart Benton Elem.
Thomas Hart Benton Elementary is a regular public school in Independence, Missouri, located in the heart of Jackson County. Situated at 429 S Leslie, this elementary school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 397 students. The student-teacher ratio is 15.9:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention and support.
Thomas Hart Benton Elementary focuses on fostering a nurturing environment where young minds can grow and develop. Despite its current academic ranking of 4.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout, the school is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for all students. With an ELA proficiency rate of 40% and a math proficiency rate of 28%, there's room for growth in these areas.
The school’s state ranking at #1543 out of 2234 schools indicates that while challenges remain, the community is committed to making strides. Thomas Hart Benton Elementary stands in a large suburban area, surrounded by supportive families and neighbors who care deeply about their children's education. This setting provides students with a safe and familiar environment where they can thrive both academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
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Thomas Hart Benton Elem. — Students at Thomas Hart Benton Elem. score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO 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: 5.6/10.
How Thomas Hart Benton Elem. Compares
See how Thomas Hart Benton Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
429 S LESLIE, Independence, MO 64050
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Hart Benton Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. THREE TRAILS ELEM. (rated 7.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MILL CREEK ELEM. (rated 6.8/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GLENDALE ELEM. (rated 6.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HANTHORN EARLY EDUCATION Independence | 1.1 mi | — |
| WILLIAM CHRISMAN HIGH Independence | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| OTT ELEM. Independence | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| CENTER PLACE RESTORATION SCHOOL Independence | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| BRYANT ELEM. Independence | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| SANTA FE TRAIL ELEM. Independence | 1.3 mi | 3.8 |
| GLENDALE ELEM. Independence | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| PROCTER ELEM. Independence | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| TRUMAN HIGH Independence | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| THE SCHOOLHOUSE, INC. Independence | 2.2 mi | — |
| BLACKBURN ELEM. Independence | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| SYCAMORE HILLS ELEM. Independence | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| MILL CREEK ELEM. Independence | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| ABRAHAM MALLINSON ELEMENTARY Sugar Creek | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| JOHN W. LUFF ELEM. Independence | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| RANDALL ELEM. Independence | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| THREE TRAILS ELEM. Independence | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| BINGHAM MIDDLE Independence | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| BRIDGER MIDDLE Independence | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| PIONEER RIDGE MIDDLE Independence | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64050 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,561
Median Home Value
$137,200
Median Rent
$915/mo
Population
20,528
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
49.1%
Avg Commute
23.9 min
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Hart Benton Elem. has a median household income of $46,561. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $137,200, with a median rent of $915/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| ARROWPOINT ELEM. St. Louis, MO | 5.4 |
| GRIFFITH ELEMENTARY Ferguson, MO | 5.4 |
| JAMES LEWIS ELEM. Blue Springs, MO | 5.4 |
| KEEVEN ELEM. St. Louis, MO | 5.4 |
| KRATZ ELEM. St. Louis, MO | 5.4 |
| MASON ELEM. St. Louis, MO | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Hart Benton Elem.
What grades does Thomas Hart Benton Elem. serve?
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Thomas Hart Benton Elem.?
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Hart Benton Elem.?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Hart Benton Elem. is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas Hart Benton Elem. rank in MO?
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. is ranked #1605 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Thomas Hart Benton Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Thomas Hart Benton Elem.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Hart Benton Elem. has 28.3% math proficiency and 40.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas Hart Benton Elem. a charter school?
No, Thomas Hart Benton Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Hart Benton Elem. a Title I school?
No, Thomas Hart Benton Elem. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Hart Benton Elem.?
88.4% of students at Thomas Hart Benton Elem. 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
- High (4,110/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Independence). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 397
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (816) 521-5390
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
INDEPENDENCE 30- District Enrollment
- 14,168
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,302
- District Rank
- #11 of 28
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
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