Below Average
#2446 of 2,842 schools in PA
Benton Area HS
High School · Benton Area SD
400 Park St, Benton, PA 17814
Enrollment
202
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
4.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
202
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
4.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benton
#3 of 3
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#545 of 641
In district
#3 of 3
Benton Area SD
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Benton Area HS
Benton Area High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Benton, Pennsylvania. Serving grades 9 through 12, the school has an enrollment of 202 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. At MySchoolScout, Benton Area High School receives a rating of 6.8 out of 10, ranking it at #859 among all schools in Pennsylvania, placing it in the 70th percentile statewide.
Academically, students perform well with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 71% and a Math proficiency rate of 58%, indicating areas for growth but also strengths to build upon. Benton Area High School is situated in a small rural setting where the community values education and supports local youth as they prepare for their futures.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Benton Area HS 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
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Benton Area HS — Students at Benton Area HS score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 5 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.5/10.
How Benton Area HS Compares
See how Benton Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2021).
Location
400 Park St, Benton, PA 17814
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Benton Area HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Millville Area JSHS (rated 7.5/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Millville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Columbia SHS (rated 7.2/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northwest Area HS (rated 6.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Shickshinny), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Benton Area MS Benton | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| L R Appleman El Sch Benton | 0.2 mi | 9.5 |
| BALD HILL SCHOOL Millville | 5.2 mi | — |
| GREENWOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL Millville | 6.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Northwest Area Primary Sch Shickshinny | 7.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Millville Area Elementary School Millville | 9.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Millville Area JSHS Millville | 9.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School Bloomsburg | 11.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Central Columbia El Sch Bloomsburg | 12.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Central Columbia MS Bloomsburg | 12.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Central Columbia SHS Bloomsburg | 12.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Northwest Area HS Shickshinny | 10.0 mi | 6.0 |
| West Berwick El Sch Berwick | 12.1 mi | 4.7 |
| NEW STORY SCHOOL Berwick | 12.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Berwick Area HS Berwick | 12.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Berwick Area MS Berwick | 12.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Salem El Sch Berwick | 12.2 mi | 7.1 |
| COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bloomsburg | 13.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg | 14.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Bloomsburg Area MS Bloomsburg | 14.8 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17814 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,679
Median Home Value
$217,000
Median Rent
$919/mo
Population
4,806
College Educated
16.9%
Homeownership
83.7%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
49.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Benton Area HS has a median household income of $62,679. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,000, with a median rent of $919/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Farrell Area HS/UMS Farrell, PA | 4.6 |
| Forbes Road JSHS Waterfall, PA | 4.5 |
| Multicultural Academy CS Philadelphia, PA | 5.1 |
| Roosevelt Campus of the Norristown Area HS Norristown, PA | 5.1 |
| Sheffield Area MS/HS Sheffield, PA | 4.0 |
| Avella Area JSHS Avella, PA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Benton Area HS
What grades does Benton Area HS serve?
Benton Area HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Benton Area HS?
Benton Area HS has an enrollment of approximately 202 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Benton Area HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Benton Area HS is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Benton Area HS rank in PA?
Benton Area HS is ranked #2446 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Benton Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Benton Area HS has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Benton Area HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benton Area HS has 57.8% math proficiency and 71.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Benton Area HS a charter school?
No, Benton Area HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Benton Area HS a Title I school?
No, Benton Area HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benton Area HS?
98.5% of students at Benton Area HS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Low (122/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Benton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 202
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Columbia County
- Phone
- (570) 925-6651
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Benton Area SD- District Enrollment
- 623
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,360
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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