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Excellent

#24 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 1% in state

Benson Elementary

Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools

2040 Hwy 50 N, Benson, NC 27504

Enrollment

603

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Benson

#1 of 5

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#21 of 1,474

In district

#2 of 48

Johnston County Public Schools

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Benson Elementary

Benson Elementary serves 603 students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Benson, North Carolina. With a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio, classrooms stay small enough for teachers to give focused attention at every grade level — a meaningful advantage in the early years when foundational skills take root. The school earns a composite score of 9.2/10, rated Exceptional, and backs it up with statewide numbers that are hard to ignore.

It ranks #24 out of 2,648 public schools in North Carolina, putting it ahead of 99% of schools across the state. Among elementary schools specifically, it sits #21 of 1,474 statewide — and holds the top spot among all five public schools serving Benson. What makes those rankings more than a snapshot is the growth score: a perfect 10.0.

Students here outpace expected academic progress year over year, which means the school isn't just enrolling high-performing kids — it's actively accelerating them. Academic performance scores an 8.7/10, confirming that the growth translates into real achievement. For parents weighing elementary options in Johnston County, Benson Elementary is one of the strongest documented performers in the state.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Benson Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+7.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.6%
Math vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,788

Benson Elementary — Students at Benson Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.8%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
19%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
70.7%
ELA
57%

* 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: 10.0/10.

How Benson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
9.2/10
99th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

Location

2040 Hwy 50 N, Benson, NC 27504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadow School (rated 8.9/10, 7.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Dixon Road Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Willow Spring), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Four Oaks Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Four Oaks), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Benson, see our Benson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Benson Middle Benson 1.5 mi 7.2
South Johnston High Four Oaks 3.1 mi 4.2
Dunn Middle Dunn 5.5 mi 6.5
Harnett County Early College Dunn 6.7 mi 7.4
Dunn Elementary Dunn 6.8 mi 5.8
BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dunn 7.0 mi 7.0
Coats-Erwin Middle Dunn 6.2 mi 4.1
McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson 7.9 mi 7.3
McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier 7.9 mi 8.0
Coats Elementary Coats 7.0 mi 4.8
West Johnston High Benson 8.6 mi 4.4
Triton High Erwin 7.5 mi 4.0
Meadow School Benson 7.9 mi 8.9
Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks 7.8 mi 8.4
Erwin Elementary Erwin 8.3 mi 5.1
Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring 9.5 mi 8.8
FAITH EDUCATION ACADEMY Dunn 9.4 mi 6.0
Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks 9.2 mi 7.8
Cleveland High Clayton 11.0 mi 4.2
Plain View Elementary Dunn 11.3 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,376

Median Home Value

$217,400

Median Rent

$995/mo

Population

15,999

College Educated

18.3%

Homeownership

77.5%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benson Elementary has a median household income of $68,376. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,400, with a median rent of $995/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Efland Cheeks Elementary Efland, NC 9.2
Moss Hill Elementary Kinston, NC 9.2
North Newton Elementary Newton, NC 9.2
Oaklawn Language Academy Charlotte, NC 9.2
Piney Grove Elementary Kernersville, NC 9.2
Southwest Elementary Durham, NC 9.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benson Elementary

What grades does Benson Elementary serve?

Benson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Benson Elementary?

Benson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 603 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Benson Elementary is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benson Elementary rank in NC?

Benson Elementary is ranked #24 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Benson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Benson Elementary has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benson Elementary has 54.8% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Benson Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

99.5% of students at Benson Elementary 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,567/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Benson). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
603
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Johnston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Johnston County Public Schools
District Enrollment
37,289
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,352
District Rank
#2 of 48

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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