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Very Good

#722 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 25% in state

Benton Area MS

Middle School · Benton Area SD

400 Park St, Benton, PA 17814

Enrollment

113

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Benton

#2 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#106 of 514

In district

#2 of 3

Benton Area SD

Equity

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Benton Area MS

Benton Area MS is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Benton, Pennsylvania. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 113 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 with eight full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is quiet and peaceful, offering a close-knit environment that supports individual learning.

Academically, Benton Area MS receives a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.0 out of 10, ranking it at the 57th percentile among Pennsylvania schools (#1230 out of 2852). The school's academic score is 5.2/10, indicating areas where growth can be beneficial for students. In reading and ELA, 63% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is 28%.

With a focus on student development and community involvement, Benton Area MS aims to provide its students with a supportive educational experience. Benton Area MS sits in a rural setting surrounded by natural beauty, making it an ideal place for students to grow both academically and personally.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 113 students, Benton Area MS is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Benton Area MS 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 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.51 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.7%
Math vs. State Avg-5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+13.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,746

Benton Area MS — Students at Benton Area MS score 48% 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

97.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.3%
School
State
34.7%
ELA Proficiency 62.9%
School
State
53.4%

Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
29.2%
ELA
66.8%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Benton Area MS Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
75th percentile in PA
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

400 Park St, Benton, PA 17814

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benton Area MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bloomsburg Area MS (rated 7.2/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), with a very similar rating. Another option is Central Columbia MS (rated 6.8/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Berwick Area MS (rated 6.6/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Berwick), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Benton Area HS Benton 0.0 mi 4.6
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 MS 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
Lafayette MS Uniontown, PA 7.4
AMY NW Philadelphia, PA 7.2
MORAVIAN ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Bethlehem, PA 7.2
ST JAMES SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA 7.2
Leechburg Area MS Leechburg, PA 7.9
HOLY TRINITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS Altoona, PA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benton Area MS

What grades does Benton Area MS serve?

Benton Area MS serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Benton Area MS?

Benton Area MS has an enrollment of approximately 113 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benton Area MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Benton Area MS is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benton Area MS rank in PA?

Benton Area MS is ranked #722 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Benton Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Benton Area MS has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Benton Area MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benton Area MS has 28.3% math proficiency and 62.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benton Area MS a charter school?

No, Benton Area MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benton Area MS a Title I school?

No, Benton Area MS is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benton Area MS?

97.3% of students at Benton Area MS 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
City Safety
Low (122/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Benton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Columbia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Benton Area SD
District Enrollment
623
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,360
District Rank
#2 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 methodology

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