Average
#1095 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 41% 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
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
603
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,095 of 2,648
In Benson
#2 of 5
public schools
In district
#14 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Equity
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Benson Elementary
Elementary School in Benson · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Meadow School
Benson, NC. Compare side by side with Benson Elementary before ruling this option in or out.
Benson Middle
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Benson Elementary
Benson Elementary is a public elementary school in Benson, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. Benson Elementary serves approximately 603 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Benson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,095 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Benson Elementary show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Benson Elementary 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.
31% of students at Benson Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Benson Elementary — Students at Benson Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC 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: 5.5/10.
How Benson Elementary Compares
See how Benson Elementary 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
2040 Hwy 50 N, Benson, NC 27504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Benson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dixon Road Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Willow Spring), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meadow School (rated 7.3/10, 7.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Four Oaks Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Four Oaks), with a very similar 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 | 5.1 |
| South Johnston High Four Oaks | 3.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Dunn Middle Dunn | 5.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Harnett County Early College Dunn | 6.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Dunn Elementary Dunn | 6.8 mi | 6.4 |
| BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dunn | 7.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Coats-Erwin Middle Dunn | 6.2 mi | 4.9 |
| McGee's Crossroads Middle Benson | 7.9 mi | 5.3 |
| McGee's Crossroads Elem Angier | 7.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Coats Elementary Coats | 7.0 mi | 4.5 |
| West Johnston High Benson | 8.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Triton High Erwin | 7.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Meadow School Benson | 7.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Four Oaks Elementary Four Oaks | 7.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Erwin Elementary Erwin | 8.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Dixon Road Elementary Willow Spring | 9.5 mi | 8.0 |
| FAITH EDUCATION ACADEMY Dunn | 9.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks | 9.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Cleveland High Clayton | 11.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Plain View Elementary Dunn | 11.3 mi | 6.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alamance Community School Haw River, NC | 6.8 |
| Bailey Elementary Bailey, NC | 6.8 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville, NC | 6.8 |
| Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy, NC | 6.8 |
| Carr Elementary Dallas, NC | 6.8 |
| E Melvin Honeycutt Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.8 |
Compare Benson Elementary with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
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 ranks #1,095 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Benson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Benson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Benson Elementary has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.8%
- Phone
- (919) 894-4233
Resources & Links
District
Johnston County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 37,289
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,352
- District Rank
- #14 of 48
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