Very Good
#675 of 2,846 schools in PA
Top 24% in state
Benton Area MS
Middle School · Benton Area SD
400 Park St, Benton, PA 17814
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#675 of 2,846
In Benton
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Benton Area SD
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Benton Area MS?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Benton Area MS
Middle School in Benton · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Benton Area HS
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
L R Appleman EL Sch
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Benton Area MS
Benton Area MS is a public middle school in Benton, PA, part of Benton Area SD. Benton Area MS serves approximately 113 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Benton Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #675 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Benton Area MS show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- PA avg 5.4
What Parents Should Know
At 113 students, Benton Area MS is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Benton Area MS 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.
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 16 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: 8.2/10.
How Benton Area MS Compares
See how Benton Area MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
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 MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Central Columbia MS (rated 7.2/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), with a comparable rating. Another option is Berwick Area MS (rated 5.8/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Berwick), a more accessible option. Additionally, Bloomsburg Area MS (rated 4.9/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), a more accessible option. 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 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Leechburg Area MS Leechburg, PA | 7.8 |
| MORAVIAN ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Bethlehem, PA | 7.2 |
| ST JAMES SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA | 7.2 |
| HOLY TRINITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS Altoona, PA | 6.7 |
| THE NATIVITY SCHOOL OF HARRISBURG Harrisburg, PA | 6.6 |
| Tunkhannock STEM Academy Tunkhannock, PA | 6.4 |
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 ranks #675 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Benton Area MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Benton Area MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 MS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Benton Area MS has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.2%
- Phone
- (570) 925-2651
Resources & Links
District
Benton Area SD- District Enrollment
- 623
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,360
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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