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Below Average

#2265 of 2,846 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,265 of 2,846

In Benton

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Benton Area SD

Equity

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Benton Area HS

4.6/10

High School in Benton · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Benton Area MS

7.6/10

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

L R Appleman EL Sch

7.3/10

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

About Benton Area HS

Benton Area HS is a public high school in Benton, PA, part of Benton Area SD. Benton Area HS serves approximately 202 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Benton Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,265 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Benton Area HS show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts below PA schools
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • PA avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Benton Area HS 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.

36% of students at Benton Area HS 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data5
Annual Change-6.76 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.3% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
AP Participation1.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,360
Chronic Absenteeism36.1%

Benton Area HS — Students at Benton Area HS score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.5% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
42.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 75.8% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
64.0% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 8 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2018
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2019
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2020*
Math
54.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
2024
Math
34.3%
ELA
58.3%

* 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: 1.1/10.

How Benton Area HS Compares

See how Benton Area HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
20th percentile in PA
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
1.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.8
Sports
9
5 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
1.5% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics9sports offered
5 boys'·4 girls'·9 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Central Columbia SHS (rated 8.6/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Millville Area JSHS (rated 7.4/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Millville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Berwick Area HS (rated 7.0/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Berwick), 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 7.6
L R Appleman El Sch Benton 0.2 mi 7.3
BALD HILL SCHOOL Millville 5.2 mi
GREENWOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL Millville 6.4 mi 5.8
Northwest Area Primary Sch Shickshinny 7.7 mi 5.5
Millville Area Elementary School Millville 9.1 mi 6.3
Millville Area JSHS Millville 9.2 mi 7.4
Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School Bloomsburg 11.7 mi 6.6
Central Columbia El Sch Bloomsburg 12.0 mi 8.7
Central Columbia MS Bloomsburg 12.1 mi 7.2
Central Columbia SHS Bloomsburg 12.2 mi 8.6
Northwest Area HS Shickshinny 10.0 mi 5.9
West Berwick El Sch Berwick 12.1 mi 4.5
NEW STORY SCHOOL Berwick 12.2 mi 5.6
Berwick Area HS Berwick 12.0 mi 7.0
Berwick Area MS Berwick 12.0 mi 5.8
Salem El Sch Berwick 12.2 mi 8.3
COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bloomsburg 13.5 mi 6.8
Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg 14.3 mi 6.8
Bloomsburg Area MS Bloomsburg 14.8 mi 4.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Farrell Area HS/UMS Farrell, PA 4.6
Parkway West Philadelphia, PA 4.6
Parkway Northwest Philadelphia, PA 4.5
YouthBuild Phila CS Philadelphia, PA 4.5
Cornell HS Coraopolis, PA 4.4
Sheffield Area MS/HS Sheffield, PA 4.3

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 ranks #2,265 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Benton Area HS's MySchoolScout rating?

Benton Area HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Benton Area HS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benton Area HS has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
7 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.1%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

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

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