Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Benton

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
Barden Cobblestone FarmhouseBarden Cobblestone Farmhouse · Photo: Araucana · CC BY-SA 4.0
B−
Schools in Benton · Penn Yan Central School District

Benton’s public schools score below 53% of New York districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Benton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New York, not nationally.

#422of 755 New York townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 89% 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
44%
▼ 5 pts vs NY 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
46%
▼ 0 pts vs NY 46%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs NY 87%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$28.8K
▼ 17% vs NY $34.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
8.4
NY 11.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
1,260 students on the public path
In brief

Benton’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 1182 New York towns with household incomes within a quarter of Benton’s, its schools beat 58%, higher than their 47% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 46% in math, against 49% and 46% statewide; 89% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across New York (the state reports Benton’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $28,798 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Penn Yan Middle School, then Penn Yan Academy. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Benton Mennonite School (private) and Sunny Haven Mennonite School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

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 Benton’s grade

B− Test scoresC Graduation

B−: better than 47% of New York school districts, #422 of 755 New York towns. Both inputs trail the New York average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

New York school districts we grade (1,013)Better than 47%
Lower resultsHigher results
New York towns with similar household incomes (1182)Better than 58%
CBA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 605 test results and a graduating class of 112 could put Benton anywhere from C to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 89% of Benton’s students in the tested grades sat them (616 in math, 594 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Penn Yan Elementary Schoolin Penn YanB−
6–8Penn Yan Middle Schoolin Penn YanC+
9–12Penn Yan Academyin Penn YanA+

Benton’s public schools are run by Penn Yan Central School District, which also serves Dresden, Jerusalem, Milo and Penn Yan and others. Parts of Benton (9% of its land) are served by Gorham-Middlesex Central instead. 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.

Penn Yan Central School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,260 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 8.4 per teacher (NY 11.2)
$28,798NY $34,607 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading44%
State average 48.9% · 594 students tested
Math46%
State average 46.5% · 616 students tested

Benton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the New York towns that share Benton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BentonB−Penn Yan Central
MiloB−Penn Yan Central
TorreyB−Penn Yan Central
PotterC+Gorham-Middlesex Central
SenecaC−Gorham-Middlesex Central PK–12 · Geneva City K–12
JerusalemB−Penn Yan Central
VarickCRomulus Central
Penn YanB−Penn Yan Central
RomulusC−Romulus Central PK–12 · South Seneca Central PK–12
GenevaDGeneva City

4 of the 9 neighbors share Penn Yan Central with Benton, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Benton

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

Also serving Bentonin other towns
Penn Yan Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Penn Yan
B−
545 students8:1Rate it →
Penn Yan Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Penn Yan
C+
288 students8:1Rate it →
Penn Yan Academy
High · Grades 9–12 · Penn Yan
A+
427 students10:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Benton Mennonite School
Elementary · Grades 1–8 · Penn Yan
Private · Religious
23 students12:1Rate it →
Sunny Haven Mennonite School
Elementary · Grades 1–8 · Penn Yan
Private · Religious
23 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Benton’s schools

Are Benton’s schools good?

On New York’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Benton children attend score below 53% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #422 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Benton in?

Penn Yan Central School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,260 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Benton are served by Gorham-Middlesex Central.

Where do Benton kids go to high school?

Penn Yan Academy in Penn Yan, with 427 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Benton’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Penn Yan Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.

How much does Benton spend per student?

$28,798 in Penn Yan Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Benton?

Yes: Benton Mennonite School (religious, grades 1–8, 23 students) and Sunny Haven Mennonite School (religious, grades 1–8, 23 students).

Parents talk

What Benton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Benton → 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 New York. Stars are from neighbors.