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Excellent

#6 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 1% 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

9.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Benton

#1 of 3

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#5 of 1,625

In district

#1 of 3

Benton Area SD

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About L R Appleman EL Sch

L R Appleman Elementary School serves 307 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Benton, Pennsylvania. It operates as a regular public school with a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, meaning students get substantially more individualized attention than in most classrooms. The school's academic performance is exceptional by any measure.

It ranks 6th out of 2,842 public schools in Pennsylvania and 5th out of 1,625 elementary schools statewide — results that place it in a category very few schools reach. Its composite score of 9.5 out of 10 reflects both strong academic achievement, rated 9.1, and a growth score of 9.8, indicating that students are making exceptional progress year over year. That growth figure is particularly telling: it means students are advancing faster than peers at the overwhelming majority of schools in the state.

For families comparing options in Benton, the picture is straightforward. Appleman ranks first among the three schools in town, and it outperforms 100% of public schools across Pennsylvania. Whether a parent is prioritizing current academic outcomes or long-term student growth, both indicators point the same direction.

Few elementary schools in the state can match this combination of high achievement and accelerated student progress.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, L R Appleman EL Sch offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, L R Appleman EL Sch 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 Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.7%
Math vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+32.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,746

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 57.5%
School
State
44.3%
ELA Proficiency 66.4%
School
State
53.3%

Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
54%
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: 9.8/10.

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
9.5/10
100th percentile in PA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

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. Memorial El Sch (rated 8.9/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), with a comparable rating. Another option is Central Columbia El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Bloomsburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Salem El Sch (rated 7.1/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Berwick), a more accessible option. 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 7.4
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 3.9
Millville Area Elementary School Millville 9.3 mi 6.7
Millville Area JSHS Millville 9.3 mi 7.5
Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School Bloomsburg 11.8 mi 5.9
Central Columbia El Sch Bloomsburg 12.1 mi 8.3
Central Columbia MS Bloomsburg 12.2 mi 6.8
Central Columbia SHS Bloomsburg 12.3 mi 7.2
Northwest Area HS Shickshinny 9.9 mi 6.0
West Berwick El Sch Berwick 12.1 mi 4.7
Berwick Area HS Berwick 12.0 mi 5.8
NEW STORY SCHOOL Berwick 12.2 mi 5.6
Berwick Area MS Berwick 12.0 mi 6.6
Salem El Sch Berwick 12.2 mi 7.1
COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bloomsburg 13.7 mi 6.8
Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg 14.4 mi 8.9
Nescopeck El Sch Nescopeck 13.3 mi 6.1

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 L R Appleman EL Sch 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
Conshohocken El Sch Conshohocken, PA 9.5
Limerick El Sch Royersford, PA 9.5
Belmont Hills El Sch Bala Cynwyd, PA 9.6
Hosack El Sch Allison Park, PA 9.4
Luther W Low El Sch West Middlesex, PA 9.4
Springfield El Sch Quakertown, PA 9.4

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 is ranked #6 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

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

L R Appleman EL Sch has a composite rating of 9.5 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 L R Appleman EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, L R Appleman EL Sch has 57.5% math proficiency and 66.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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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