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Excellent

#288 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 10% in state

Benner EL Sch

Elementary School · Bellefonte Area SD

490 Buffalo Run Rd, Bellefonte, PA 16823

Enrollment

241

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#288 of 2,846

In Bellefonte

#1 of 5

public schools

In district

#1 of 6

Bellefonte Area SD

School environment

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Benner EL Sch

8.4/10

Elementary School in Bellefonte · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bellefonte EL Sch

7.1/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Wingate EL Sch

5.2/10

2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Benner EL Sch

Benner EL Sch is a public elementary school in Bellefonte, PA, part of Bellefonte Area SD. Benner EL Sch serves approximately 241 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Benner EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #288 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Benner EL Sch show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.8
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Benner EL Sch 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73.6% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+22.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.2 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,274
Chronic Absenteeism9.5%

Benner EL Sch — Students at Benner EL Sch score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 72.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 36 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
65.5%
ELA
65.1%
2024
Math
74.1%
ELA
67.3%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Benner EL Sch Compares

See how Benner EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in PA
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
8.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.5%

Location

490 Buffalo Run Rd, Bellefonte, PA 16823

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benner EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Radio Park El Sch (rated 9.0/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby State College), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Spring Creek El Sch (rated 8.8/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby State College), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mount Nittany El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby State College), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bellefonte, see our Bellefonte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Bellefonte El Sch Bellefonte 2.2 mi 7.1
Wingate El Sch Wingate 2.9 mi 5.2
Bald Eagle Area MS/SHS Wingate 3.0 mi 5.7
CENTRE COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bellefonte 2.4 mi 7.3
Bellefonte Area MS Bellefonte 2.9 mi 5.7
Bellefonte Area HS Bellefonte 2.9 mi 6.9
Spring Creek El Sch State College 4.8 mi 8.8
Central PA Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap 3.8 mi
Pleasant Gap El Sch Pleasant Gap 4.1 mi 8.0
MERAKEY EDUCATION AND AUTISM CENTER State College 4.9 mi
BENNETT FAMILY CENTER University Park 6.7 mi
Mount Nittany MS State College 7.4 mi 7.4
Mount Nittany El Sch State College 7.5 mi 8.4
ST JOSEPHS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Boalsburg 7.5 mi 7.7
SOARING HEIGHTS SCHOOL State College 7.6 mi
Easterly Parkway El Sch State College 7.5 mi 7.8
OUR CHILDREN'S CENTER State College 7.6 mi
Nittany Valley CS State College 7.8 mi 6.7
STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL State College 7.9 mi 8.0
Radio Park El Sch State College 7.6 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16823 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,717

Median Home Value

$258,100

Median Rent

$1,013/mo

Population

29,168

College Educated

28.5%

Homeownership

70.8%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

44.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Blain El Sch Blain, PA 8.4
Dayton El Sch Dayton, PA 8.4
Jefferson El Sch Pittsburgh, PA 8.4
Poff El Sch Gibsonia, PA 8.4
Redbank Valley Intrmd Sch Hawthorn, PA 8.4
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL SCHOOL Bethlehem, PA 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benner EL Sch

What grades does Benner EL Sch serve?

Benner EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Benner EL Sch?

Benner EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 241 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benner EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Benner EL Sch is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benner EL Sch rank in PA?

Benner EL Sch ranks #288 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Benner EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Benner EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Benner EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benner EL Sch has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Benner EL Sch a charter school?

No, Benner EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benner EL Sch a Title I school?

No, Benner EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benner EL Sch?

24.5% of students at Benner EL Sch 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
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Centre County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.5%

District

Bellefonte Area SD
District Enrollment
2,585
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,274
District Rank
#1 of 6

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