Average
#1413 of 2,221 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
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Missouri schools
#1,413 of 2,221
In Independence
#17 of 35
public schools
In district
#16 of 28
INDEPENDENCE 30
Equity
7.3 / 10
Very Good
Shortlisting around Thomas Hart Benton Elem.?
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Thomas Hart Benton Elem.
Elementary School in Independence · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Hanthorn Early Education
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
William Chrisman High
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thomas Hart Benton Elem.
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. is a public elementary school in Independence, MO, part of INDEPENDENCE 30. Thomas Hart Benton Elem. serves approximately 397 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Hart Benton Elem. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,413 of 2,221 schools in MO.
Structured state assessment records for Thomas Hart Benton Elem. show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- MO avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. — Students at Thomas Hart Benton Elem. score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)
Based on 39 test records from MO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How Thomas Hart Benton Elem. Compares
See how Thomas Hart Benton Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. PROCTER ELEM. (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MILL CREEK ELEM. (rated 7.1/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RANDALL ELEM. (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 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 | 5.9 |
| OTT ELEM. Independence | 1.5 mi | 3.6 |
| CENTER PLACE RESTORATION SCHOOL Independence | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| BRYANT ELEM. Independence | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| SANTA FE TRAIL ELEM. Independence | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| GLENDALE ELEM. Independence | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| PROCTER ELEM. Independence | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| TRUMAN HIGH Independence | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| THE SCHOOLHOUSE, INC. Independence | 2.2 mi | — |
| BLACKBURN ELEM. Independence | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| SYCAMORE HILLS ELEM. Independence | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| MILL CREEK ELEM. Independence | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| ABRAHAM MALLINSON ELEMENTARY Sugar Creek | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| JOHN W. LUFF ELEM. Independence | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| RANDALL ELEM. Independence | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| THREE TRAILS ELEM. Independence | 2.5 mi | 3.7 |
| BINGHAM MIDDLE Independence | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| BRIDGER MIDDLE Independence | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| PIONEER RIDGE MIDDLE Independence | 2.3 mi | 7.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BRYAN ELEM. Nevada, MO | 5.7 |
| CITY GARDEN MONTESSORI EAEC St. Louis, MO | 5.7 |
| EDWIN P. HUBBLE ELEM. Marshfield, MO | 5.7 |
| EZARD ELEM. Conway, MO | 5.7 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEM. Carthage, MO | 5.7 |
| GRAY ELEM. Springfield, MO | 5.7 |
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. ranks #1,413 of 2,221 schools in MO.
What is Thomas Hart Benton Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Thomas Hart Benton Elem.?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Hart Benton Elem. has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.2%
- Phone
- (816) 521-5390
Resources & Links
District
INDEPENDENCE 30- District Enrollment
- 14,168
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,302
- District Rank
- #16 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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