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Very Good

#858 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 30% in state

L R Appleman EL Sch

Elementary School · Benton Area SD

525 Park Street, Benton, PA 17814

Enrollment

307

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#858 of 2,846

In Benton

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Benton Area SD

Equity

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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L R Appleman EL Sch

7.3/10

Elementary School in Benton · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Benton Area MS

7.6/10

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

Benton Area HS

4.6/10

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

About L R Appleman EL Sch

L R Appleman EL Sch is a public elementary school in Benton, PA, part of Benton Area SD. L R Appleman EL Sch serves approximately 307 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. L R Appleman EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #858 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for L R Appleman EL Sch show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.9 pts above PA schools
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • PA avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 9.9:1 students to teachers, L R Appleman EL Sch sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

L R Appleman EL Sch 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 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.38 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.4% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.7% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+32.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,360
Chronic Absenteeism18.2%

L R Appleman EL Sch — Students at L R Appleman EL Sch score 67% 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

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 63.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
44.3% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 69.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.3% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 38 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
93%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
85%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
60%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
68%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
35%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
49.3%
ELA
64.5%
2024
Math
64.2%
ELA
68.7%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How L R Appleman EL Sch Compares

See how L R Appleman EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
70th percentile in PA
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.2%

Programs & Offerings

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

525 Park Street, Benton, PA 17814

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering L R Appleman EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Central Columbia El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Salem El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Berwick), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nescopeck El Sch (rated 7.5/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Nescopeck), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Benton Area MS Benton 0.2 mi 7.6
Benton Area HS Benton 0.2 mi 4.6
BALD HILL SCHOOL Millville 5.4 mi
GREENWOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL Millville 6.5 mi 5.8
Northwest Area Primary Sch Shickshinny 7.6 mi 5.5
Millville Area Elementary School Millville 9.3 mi 6.3
Millville Area JSHS Millville 9.3 mi 7.4
Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School Bloomsburg 11.8 mi 6.6
Central Columbia El Sch Bloomsburg 12.1 mi 8.7
Central Columbia MS Bloomsburg 12.2 mi 7.2
Central Columbia SHS Bloomsburg 12.3 mi 8.6
Northwest Area HS Shickshinny 9.9 mi 5.9
West Berwick El Sch Berwick 12.1 mi 4.5
Berwick Area HS Berwick 12.0 mi 7.0
NEW STORY SCHOOL Berwick 12.2 mi 5.6
Berwick Area MS Berwick 12.0 mi 5.8
Salem El Sch Berwick 12.2 mi 8.3
COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bloomsburg 13.7 mi 6.8
Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg 14.4 mi 6.8
Nescopeck El Sch Nescopeck 13.3 mi 7.5

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
Avis El Sch Jersey Shore, PA 7.3
Brecht Sch Lancaster, PA 7.3
Centre Hall-Potter El Sch Centre Hall, PA 7.3
Charlotte Lappla El Sch Wellsboro, PA 7.3
Conestoga El Sch Conestoga, PA 7.3
Connoquenessing El Sch Renfrew, PA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about L R Appleman EL Sch

What grades does L R Appleman EL Sch serve?

L R Appleman EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend L R Appleman EL Sch?

L R Appleman EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 307 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at L R Appleman EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at L R Appleman EL Sch is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does L R Appleman EL Sch rank in PA?

L R Appleman EL Sch ranks #858 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is L R Appleman EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

L R Appleman EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 L R Appleman EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, L R Appleman EL Sch has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is L R Appleman EL Sch a charter school?

No, L R Appleman EL Sch is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is L R Appleman EL Sch a Title I school?

No, L R Appleman EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for L R Appleman EL Sch?

99.0% of students at L R Appleman EL Sch 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Columbia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.2%

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

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