Excellent
#234 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 8% 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
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bellefonte
#1 of 5
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#196 of 1,625
In district
#1 of 6
Bellefonte Area SD
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Benner EL Sch
Benner EL Sch is a public elementary school in Bellefonte, PA, part of the Bellefonte Area SD. The school serves approximately 241 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 91.8th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 70% proficiency in math, 24 points above the state average and 68% in reading/language arts, 15 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $75,717, where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Benner EL Sch 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 metricsView breakdown
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Benner EL Sch — Students at Benner EL Sch score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from PA 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: 9.0/10.
How Benner EL Sch Compares
See how Benner EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 73.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2024).
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. Mount Nittany El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby State College), with a very similar rating. Another option is Pleasant Gap El Sch (rated 8.1/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Pleasant Gap), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Nittany Valley CS (rated 8.1/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby State College), with a comparable 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 | 7.9 |
| Wingate El Sch Wingate | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Bald Eagle Area MS/SHS Wingate | 3.0 mi | 4.9 |
| CENTRE COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bellefonte | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Bellefonte Area MS Bellefonte | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Bellefonte Area HS Bellefonte | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Spring Creek El Sch State College | 4.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Central PA Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap | 3.8 mi | — |
| Pleasant Gap El Sch Pleasant Gap | 4.1 mi | 8.1 |
| 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 | 8.3 |
| Mount Nittany El Sch State College | 7.5 mi | 8.7 |
| 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 | 7.1 |
| OUR CHILDREN'S CENTER State College | 7.6 mi | — |
| Nittany Valley CS State College | 7.8 mi | 8.1 |
| STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL State College | 7.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Radio Park El Sch State College | 7.6 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Benner EL Sch has a median household income of $75,717. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,100, with a median rent of $1,013/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Boothwyn El Sch Boothwyn, PA | 8.4 |
| Borland Manor El Sch Canonsburg, PA | 8.4 |
| Fulton El Sch Lancaster, PA | 8.4 |
| Laurel Valley El Sch New Florence, PA | 8.4 |
| MOTHER TERESA REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL King Of Prussia, PA | 8.4 |
| McCormick El Sch Moon Township, 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 is ranked #234 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Benner EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Benner EL Sch has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Benner EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benner EL Sch has 70.0% math proficiency and 68.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (814) 355-2812
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bellefonte Area SD- District Enrollment
- 2,585
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,274
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
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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