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
Enrollment
307
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
9.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 64.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 68.7% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (570) 925-6971
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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
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