Is Charles E. Bennett Elementary School a good school?

Charles E. Bennett Elementary School ranks in the bottom 19.1% of Florida elementary schools.

How many students attend Charles E. Bennett Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 624 students attended Charles E. Bennett Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Charles E. Bennett Elementary School?

Students at Charles E. Bennett Elementary School are 58% White, 19% African American, 16% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of Charles E. Bennett Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Charles E. Bennett Elementary School usually go on to attend: Middle : Green Cove Springs Junior High School High : Clay High School

Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Summary:

Charles E. Bennett Elementary School is a public elementary school in Green Cove Springs, Florida, serving 624 students in grades PK-6. The school is part of the Clay District, which is ranked 10th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite the school's higher per-student spending compared to the state average, ranging from $9,776 to $11,169 in recent years, Charles E. Bennett Elementary School has consistently low academic performance, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math 20-30 percentage points below the Clay District and state averages. The school also faces significant challenges, including high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 17.4% in 2019-2020 to 41.1% in 2022-2023, which are much higher than the district and state averages of 12-18% in recent years.

Nearby schools, such as Fleming Island Elementary, Robert M. Paterson Elementary, and Thunderbolt Elementary, demonstrate significantly higher academic performance and lower chronic absenteeism rates compared to Charles E. Bennett Elementary School. Addressing the root causes of the school's challenges, such as socioeconomic factors and resource allocation, could be crucial for improving student outcomes at Charles E. Bennett Elementary School.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

1 S Oakridge Ave
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

(904) 336-0475

District: Clay

SchoolDigger Rank:
1826^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,384

Students who attend Charles E. Bennett Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Green Cove Springs Junior High School
High:	Clay High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.2

Number of students: 624

Racial breakdown:

White:

57.5%

African American:

18.8%

Hispanic:

15.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Charles E. Bennett Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Charles E. Bennett Elementary School ranks worse than 80.9% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 27^th among 28 ranked elementary schools in the Clay School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.87. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Charles E. Bennett Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (57.5%), African American (18.8%), Hispanic (15.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Charles E. Bennett Elementary School is 15.2. 23 elementary schools in the Clay School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Charles E. Bennett Elementary School employs 41 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Charles E. Bennett Elementary School is $10,384, which is the 11^th highest among 28 elementary schools in the Clay School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Charles E. Bennett Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Clay:

SchoolDigger ranks Clay 10^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Charles E. Bennett Elementary School.

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Rank History for Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	34.69	153^rd	199	23.1%
2005	38.80	155^th	202	23.3%
2006	58.45	719^th	1688	57.4%
2007	54.34	864^th	1786	51.6%
2008	52.73	884^th	1789	50.6%
2009	46.45	1057^th	1847	42.8%
2010	39.15	1251^st	1919	34.8%
2011	49.10	1069^th	1985	46.1%
2012	58.89	817^th	1984	58.8%
2013	50.63	983^rd	2029	51.6%
2014	45.21	1131^st	2064	45.2%
2016	24.50	1629^th	2087	21.9%
2017	26.71	1583^rd	2112	25.0%
2018	15.50	1885^th	2118	11.0%
2019	15.84	1938^th	2182	11.2%
2021	32.74	1497^th	2247	33.4%
2022	33.72	1473^rd	2219	33.6%
2023	22.49	1816^th	2240	18.9%
2024	22.87	1826^th	2256	19.1%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)

50%

Reviews:

by a parent
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

This school is always stating my two boys are in trouble and allowing people of color or different races to bully them. My sons were not raised to be racist and yet this school continues to tip toe around the students of different races allowing them to cause problems to the white students. This has got to stop!! My boys are good kids and just because they're white does not make them any less important. That treatment itself is racist. I'll be spreading the word and rating this school everywhere I can
Be warned if your kid is white he/she will be treated unfairly at this school. Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, August 10, 2014

I have had 2 daughters go through Charles E Bennett and Graduated Clay High. I now have a child who has been here since kindergarten and now in the 6th grade. All the teachers have been great. we all have issues now and then but over all they are great. Mr. Leary was an awesome teacher and glad my son had him last year. I am pushing my son this year and making sure his grade come first. I know that the teachers can only do so much but we as parents do falter in keeping our kids on track with their school/homework putting education first. thanks again to all the teachers and staff at Charles E Bennett Elementary. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	569	188	4	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	763
1989	629	179	6	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	815
1990	635	184	3	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	826
1991	634	176	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	813
1992	695	192	1	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	892
1993	583	186	1	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	777
1994	662	246	2	8	0	n/a	n/a	0	918
1995	794	318	4	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	1138
1996	794	318	4	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	1138
1997	762	275	1	18	0	n/a	n/a	0	1056
1998	763	277	1	19	0	n/a	n/a	0	1060
1999	763	281	1	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	1057
2000	765	246	3	16	0	n/a	n/a	0	1030
2001	631	212	3	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	867
2002	561	159	8	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	753
2003	561	159	8	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	753
2004	616	179	12	23	1	n/a	n/a	0	831
2005	613	150	8	25	1	n/a	n/a	0	797
2006	553	117	6	32	1	n/a	n/a	0	709
2007	523	125	5	41	1	n/a	n/a	15	710
2008	552	142	6	52	3	n/a	n/a	17	772
2009	551	131	6	45	3	n/a	n/a	26	762
2010	538	133	3	47	1	n/a	n/a	23	745
2011	507	128	2	69	2	1	25	0	734
2012	505	137	2	73	1	1	30	0	749
2013	509	128	3	86	1	1	30	0	758
2014	556	143	2	82	1	1	32	0	817
2015	575	138	2	84	0	0	33	0	832
2016	559	147	1	95	0	1	30	0	833
2017	499	161	4	85	3	1	25	0	778
2018	479	148	3	67	2	1	21	0	721
2019	473	116	2	73	1	1	24	0	690
2020	404	121	4	97	0	2	31	0	659
2021	369	121	1	86	0	1	29	0	607
2022	364	121	3	84	0	1	31	0	604
2023	359	117	4	97	0	2	45	0	624

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	763	46.0	16.5	54.3
1989	815	51.0	15.9	49.1
1990	826	53.0	15.5	49.5
1991	813	49.0	16.5	54.2
1992	892	52.0	17.1	49.4
1993	777	48.0	16.2	57.3
1994	918	59.0	15.6	58.8
1995	1138	64.0	17.8	54.5
1996	1138	64.0	17.8	54.5
1997	1056	61.0	17.3	48.5
1998	1060	51.0	20.8	51
1999	1057	65.0	16.3	59.9
2000	1030	67.0	15.4	60.5
2001	867	57.0	15.2	59.7
2002	753	51.0	14.8	64.7
2003	753	51.0	14.8	64.7
2004	831	56.0	14.8	62.5
2005	797	57.0	14.0	61.6
2006	709	55.0	12.9	63.2
2007	710	58.0	12.2	64.5
2008	772	57.0	13.5	59.7
2009	762	64.2	12.9	65.8
2010	745	59.0	12.6	71.6
2011	734	57.4	12.7	76
2012	749	55.0	13.6	79.2
2013	758	60.0	12.6	71.4
2014	817	61.0	13.3	76.6
2015	832	66.0	12.6	75
2016	833	67.0	12.4	64.7
2017	778	63.0	12.3	69.4
2018	721	55.0	13.1	78.5
2019	690	49.0	14.0	66.4
2020	659	48.0	13.7	63.3
2021	607	46.0	13.1	63.3
2022	604	45.0	13.4	100
2023	624	41.0	15.2	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	763	46.0	16.5	54.3
1989	815	51.0	15.9	49.1
1990	826	53.0	15.5	49.5
1991	813	49.0	16.5	54.2
1992	892	52.0	17.1	49.4
1993	777	48.0	16.2	57.3
1994	918	59.0	15.6	58.8
1995	1138	64.0	17.8	54.5
1996	1138	64.0	17.8	54.5
1997	1056	61.0	17.3	48.5
1998	1060	51.0	20.8	51
1999	1057	65.0	16.3	59.9
2000	1030	67.0	15.4	60.5
2001	867	57.0	15.2	59.7
2002	753	51.0	14.8	64.7
2003	753	51.0	14.8	64.7
2004	831	56.0	14.8	62.5
2005	797	57.0	14.0	61.6
2006	709	55.0	12.9	63.2
2007	710	58.0	12.2	64.5
2008	772	57.0	13.5	59.7
2009	762	64.2	12.9	65.8
2010	745	59.0	12.6	71.6
2011	734	57.4	12.7	76
2012	749	55.0	13.6	79.2
2013	758	60.0	12.6	71.4
2014	817	61.0	13.3	76.6
2015	832	66.0	12.6	75
2016	833	67.0	12.4	64.7
2017	778	63.0	12.3	69.4
2018	721	55.0	13.1	78.5
2019	690	49.0	14.0	66.4
2020	659	48.0	13.7	63.3
2021	607	46.0	13.1	63.3
2022	604	45.0	13.4	100
2023	624	41.0	15.2	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,025 (12.7%)	$7,059 (87.3%)	$8,084
2019	$1,101 (12.2%)	$7,908 (87.8%)	$9,010
2020	$1,431 (14.6%)	$8,346 (85.4%)	$9,776
2021	$1,883 (17.3%)	$8,996 (82.7%)	$10,881
2022	$2,153 (19.3%)	$9,015 (80.7%)	$11,169
2023	$1,438 (13.8%)	$8,945 (86.1%)	$10,384

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1938^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1816^th of 2240 Elementary schools	7.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Charles E. Bennett Elementary School)	34	42	8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Clay)	68	61	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Charles E. Bennett Elementary School)	53	47	6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Clay)	71	66	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Charles E. Bennett Elementary School)	29	57	28%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Clay)	64	62	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Charles E. Bennett Elementary School)	46	64	18%
4th Grade Mathematics (Clay)	69	68	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Charles E. Bennett Elementary School)	37	29	8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Clay)	62	62
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Charles E. Bennett Elementary School)	32	40	8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Clay)	64	59	5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Charles E. Bennett Elementary School)	31	36	5%
5th Grade Science (Clay)	63	63
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Charles E. Bennett Elementary School)	38	45	7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Clay)	64	64
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Charles E. Bennett Elementary School)	28	40	12%
6th Grade Mathematics (Clay)	70	72	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	690	624	9.6%
African American	116	117	0.9%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	2	4	100%
Hispanic	73	97	32.9%
Pacific Islander	1	2	100%
White	473	359	24.1%
Two or More Races	24	45	87.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	66.4%	100%	33.6%

Schools Near Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)				FAST Math (2024)				Statewide Science Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Charles E. Bennett Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1 S Oakridge Ave	Green Cove Springs	32043	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-0475	624	41	15.2	100.0%	359 (57.5%)	117 (18.8%)	97 (15.5%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	45 (7.2%)	22.9	1826^th of 2256 public elementary schools	19.1%		22.5	1816^th of 2240 public elementary schools	18.9%	10	29.0	40.0	37.0	49.0	37.0	56.0	34.0	37.0	37.0	$10,384	$1,438	$8,945
Spring Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	3530 County Road 315	Green Cove Springs	32043	Clay County	Clay	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(904) 336-6852																			(n/a)	60.0	64.0	48.0	69.0	71.0	70.0	56.0	84.0	39.0
Hickory Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	235 Hickory Creek Trl	Saint Johns	32259	St. Johns County	St. Johns	No	No	No	No	(904) 547-7450	793	52	15.2	11.0%	559 (70.5%)	34 (4.3%)	95 (12.0%)	45 (5.7%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (7.2%)	89	210^th of 2256 public elementary schools	90.7%		88.7	204^th of 2240 public elementary schools	90.9%	6	73.0	78.0	78.0		74.0	77.0	82.0		77.0	$9,325	$489	$8,837
Thunderbolt Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2020 Thunderbolt Rd	Fleming Island	32003	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-3675	901	65	13.8	33.9%	588 (65.3%)	97 (10.8%)	121 (13.4%)	41 (4.6%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.3%)	50 (5.5%)	90.8	147^th of 2256 public elementary schools	93.5%		87.7	225^th of 2240 public elementary schools	90.0%	78	82.0	72.0	74.0	85.0	83.0	84.0	76.0	94.0	74.0	$9,327	$1,135	$8,193
Shadowlawn Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2945 County Road 218	Green Cove Springs	32043	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-3375	735	53	13.8	48.7%	578 (78.6%)	42 (5.7%)	85 (11.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (3.9%)	81.9	361^st of 2256 public elementary schools	84.0%		85.1	285^th of 2240 public elementary schools	87.3%	76	88.0	59.0	50.0	70.0	92.0	73.0	76.0	89.0	77.0	$9,806	$1,004	$8,803
Lake Asbury Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2901 Sandridge Rd	Green Cove Springs	32043	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-1525	975	66	14.7	38.4%	713 (73.1%)	82 (8.4%)	111 (11.4%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.4%)	62 (6.4%)	72.5	583^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	74.2%		73.3	548^th of 2240 public elementary schools	75.5%	35	62.0	50.0	60.0	71.0	73.0	67.0	61.0	94.0	66.0	$8,750	$1,017	$7,733
Robert M. Paterson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	5400 Pine Ave	Orange Park	32003	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-2575	1,117	79	14.1	34.7%	760 (68.0%)	92 (8.2%)	179 (16.0%)	31 (2.8%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	53 (4.7%)	96.3	30^th of 2256 public elementary schools	98.7%		90.9	147^th of 2240 public elementary schools	93.4%	117	84.0	85.0	81.0	90.0	91.0	91.0	88.0	98.0	91.0	$8,697	$770	$7,928
Cunningham Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1205 Roberts Rd	Saint Johns	32259	St. Johns County	St. Johns	No	No	No	No	(904) 547-7860	693	49	14.2	11.4%	512 (73.9%)	32 (4.6%)	83 (12.0%)	16 (2.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (6.9%)	88	229^th of 2256 public elementary schools	89.8%		83	338^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.9%	109	76.0	74.0	71.0		86.0	73.0	84.0		67.0	$10,965	$979	$9,985
Swimming Pen Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1630 Woodpecker Ln	Middleburg	32068	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-3475	509	38	13.3	99.4%	319 (62.7%)	51 (10.0%)	75 (14.7%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	57 (11.2%)	47	1175^th of 2256 public elementary schools	47.9%		48.4	1130^th of 2240 public elementary schools	49.6%	45	59.0	56.0	48.0	55.0	52.0	64.0	36.0	62.0	47.0	$11,723	$959	$10,764
Fleming Island Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	4425 Lakeshore Dr	Orange Park	32003	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-1075	739	53	13.9	20.3%	506 (68.5%)	39 (5.3%)	113 (15.3%)	21 (2.8%)	2 (0.3%)	4 (0.5%)	54 (7.3%)	93	90^th of 2256 public elementary schools	96.0%		93.2	90^th of 2240 public elementary schools	96.0%		78.0	78.0	74.0	86.0	90.0	93.0	79.0	92.0	77.0	$10,878	$1,077	$9,800

Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

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Rank History for Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Student/Teacher Ratio Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Impact of COVID-19 on Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Charles E. Bennett Elementary School