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
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Benton Area MS — Students at Benton Area MS score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 7.8/10.
How Benton Area MS Compares
See how Benton Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 29.1% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 66.7% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (570) 925-2651
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.