Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Benson

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Businesses on Pacific Avenue, Benson, MNPhoto: Myotus · CC BY 4.0
C+
Schools in Benson · Benson Public School District

Benson’s public schools score below 62% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation

Reading proficiency in Benson’s districts is 40%, below the Minnesota average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Benson, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Minnesota, not nationally.

#244of 274 Minnesota townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
40%
▼ 11 pts vs MN 51%
2021–22
Math proficiency
40%
▼ 5 pts vs MN 45%
2021–22
Spent per student
$15.9K
▼ 7% vs MN $17.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.3
MN 14.8
Schools in town
2
725 students on the public path
In brief

Benson’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 560 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Benson’s, its schools beat 27%, lower than their 38% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 40% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,871 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Benson Secondary. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Benson’s grade

C+ Test scores

C+: better than 38% of Minnesota school districts, #244 of 274 Minnesota towns. Test scores are below the Minnesota average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Minnesota school districts we grade (502)Better than 38%
Lower resultsHigher results
Minnesota towns with similar household incomes (560)Better than 27%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 390 test results could put Benson anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Benson’s students in the tested grades sat them (392 in math, 389 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Benson, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Northside ElementaryBenson Public School DistrictB
6–12Benson SecondaryBenson Public School DistrictC

Benson’s public schools are run by Benson Public School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Benson Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 760 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 14.3 per teacher (MN 14.8)
$15,871MN $17,091 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading40%
State average 51.1% · 389 students tested
Math40%
State average 44.8% · 392 students tested

Benson vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Benson’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BensonC+Benson Public
Torning—Benson Public
Six Mile Grove—Benson Public
Benson Township—Benson Public

All 3 neighbors share Benson Public with Benson, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Benson

2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Minnesota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Bensonby address
Northside Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B
391 students17:1Rate it →
Benson Secondary
High · Grades 6–12
C
334 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Benson Area Learning Center and Heartland Girls Ranch).

Questions about Benson’s schools

Are Benson’s schools good?

On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Benson children attend score below 62% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #244 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 27%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Benson in?

Benson Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 760 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

How much does Benson spend per student?

$15,871 in Benson Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Benson families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Benson → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Minnesota. Stars are from neighbors.