Average
#212 of 280 schools in VT
Molly Stark School
Elementary School · Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87
181 Orchard Street, Bennington, VT 05201
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
423
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bennington
#1 of 5
public schools
Vermont elementary schools
#156 of 200
In district
#3 of 5
Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Molly Stark School
Molly Stark School is an elementary public school located in the charming town of Bennington, Vermont. Situated at 181 Orchard Street, the school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 423 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1, Molly Stark School aims to provide personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
The academic performance data indicates that there is room for growth at Molly Stark School, with the MySchoolScout rating currently standing at 3.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #262 out of 280 schools in Vermont, placing it in the 7th percentile. In terms of subject proficiency, only 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 12% meet those standards in math. Despite these challenges, Molly Stark School remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages student development and growth.
The school is nestled in the heart of Bennington, where it plays an integral role in the community by providing educational opportunities for young learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Molly Stark School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Molly Stark School — Students at Molly Stark School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from VT 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: 7.2/10.
How Molly Stark School Compares
See how Molly Stark School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2021) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2021) to 22% (2022).
Location
181 Orchard Street, Bennington, VT 05201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Molly Stark School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOOSICK FALLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Hoosick Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Shaftsbury Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Shaftsbury), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VILLAGE SCHOOL OF NO.BENNINGTON (rated 6.5/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby North Bennington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bennington, see our Bennington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 05201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,428
Median Home Value
$206,200
Median Rent
$1,098/mo
Population
14,966
College Educated
35.3%
Homeownership
62.1%
Avg Commute
15.4 min
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Median Age
45.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Molly Stark School has a median household income of $60,428. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,200, with a median rent of $1,098/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| Bennington Elementary School Bennington, VT | 4.9 |
| Elm Hill School Springfield, VT | 5.1 |
| Lyndon Town School Lyndonville, VT | 5.1 |
| Highgate Elementary School Highgate Center, VT | 4.8 |
| Vergennes Union Elementary School Vergennes, VT | 5.2 |
| Derby Elementary School Derby Line, VT | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Molly Stark School
What grades does Molly Stark School serve?
Molly Stark School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Molly Stark School?
Molly Stark School has an enrollment of approximately 423 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Molly Stark School?
The student-teacher ratio at Molly Stark School is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Molly Stark School rank in VT?
Molly Stark School is ranked #212 out of 280 schools in VT.
What is Molly Stark School's MySchoolScout rating?
Molly Stark School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Molly Stark School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Molly Stark School has 12.0% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Molly Stark School a charter school?
No, Molly Stark School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Molly Stark School a Title I school?
No, Molly Stark School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Molly Stark School?
84.9% of students at Molly Stark School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,868/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bennington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 423
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Bennington County
- Phone
- (802) 442-2692
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87- District Enrollment
- 1,380
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,079
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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