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Benfield Elementary

Summary:

Benfield Elementary is a highly-rated public elementary school in Severna Park, Maryland, serving 455 students from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. The school is part of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district, which is ranked 10th out of 25 districts in Maryland and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Benfield Elementary consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Maryland, with proficiency rates significantly higher than the county and state averages in both mathematics and English language arts across all grade levels. The school's students demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, often outperforming nearby schools like South Shore Elementary, Freetown Elementary, and Folger Mckinsey Elementary. Benfield's racial diversity is lower than some of the nearby schools, with around 84% of students identifying as white, and the school serves a more affluent community, with a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

Benfield Elementary's exceptional performance is further highlighted by its consistently high rankings and 5-star ratings from SchoolDigger over the past several years. The school's higher level of funding, ranging from $12,879 to $16,049 per student, may contribute to its strong academic results. While Benfield's demographic composition differs from some nearby schools, the school's performance remains strong across all racial subgroups, demonstrating its commitment to providing a high-quality education for all its students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 365 Lynwood Dr
       Severna Park, MD  21146-1535

(410) 222-6555

District: Anne Arundel County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
5th of 859 Maryland Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,541 Help


Students who attend Benfield Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Severna Park Middle
High:    Severna Park High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.7 Help
Number of students:  455

Racial breakdown:

White:
84.2%
Hispanic:
7.3%
Two or more races:
3.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  6.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Benfield Elementary ranks better than 99.4% of elementary schools in Maryland. It also ranks first among 80 ranked elementary schools in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 98.26. (See more...)
Help
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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (84.2%), Hispanic (7.3%), two or more races (3.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 6.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Benfield Elementary is 14.7. 56 elementary schools in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Benfield Elementary employs 30.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Benfield Elementary is $16,541. 51 elementary schools in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Benfield Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Anne Arundel County Public Schools 10th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Benfield Elementary.

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Rank History for Benfield Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Benfield Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 1.89 786th 803 2.1%
2005 2.55 783rd 805 2.7%
2006 1.87 793rd 804 1.4%
2007 1.61 808th 818 1.2%
2008 89.44 4th 838 99.5%
2009 89.96 2nd 850 99.8%
2010 89.88 3rd 855 99.6%
2011 89.38 4th 853 99.5%
2012 85.74 27th 857 96.8%
2013 87.43 22nd 847 97.4%
2014 90.43 3rd 867 99.7%
2015 98.50 3rd 859 99.7%
2016 98.10 4th 845 99.5%
2017 98.31 6th 847 99.3%
2018 98.62 5th 857 99.4%
2019 97.41 13th 853 98.5%
2021 91.30 63rd 802 92.1%
2022 98.62 2nd 862 99.8%
2023 98.43 6th 855 99.3%
2024 98.26 5th 859 99.4%
See the entire list of Maryland Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Female students at Benfield Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 89.84 56th 796 93.0%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Benfield Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 89.46 65th 788 91.8%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Benfield Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 80.62 78th 528 85.2%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Benfield Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, September 15, 2011

Open Quote The one and only comment made above is obviously NOT from a Benfield parent. Two of my children went to Benfield and both have excelled! Poor leadership? All of the teachers that my boys had were always very involved and if there was ever a problem, they did not hesitate to contact me. If MANY Benfield parents had the problems that the above person stated, then where are their comments? I have never heard any complaints by any parents. The parents always were and to my knowledge still are very involved in their children's academics. My boys never felt pressured when taking the MSA tests. Again, obviously the above comment is from a disgruntled parent who doesn't have their children in one of the most upstanding schools in Maryland. Every child has opportunity and it starts at home first....and the schools second. If you don't like your school....then join the PTA and do something about it. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, November 12, 2010

Open Quote (2010) This school openly teaches towards nothing more than the MSA test. We and several other parents are very frustrated with the focus and lack of core skills development that our 1st - 3rd graders are experiencing that a lot of us are seriously considering private schooling or relocating to another area. I personally have tried to engage my childrens' teachers along with the principal, but received empty promises. No follow-up. No support other than what can be done during normal school hours. Nothing. What's more these MSA tests are a joke; schools are able to choreograph which students take the test. So if any child has special needs, perceived or otherwise, they'll get classified in such a way and can't participate in taking the MSA test. Yet in their classification of special need students they then treat those students as "deficient" and low priority, receiving nothing more then a labeling. The school's precious MSA rating is a facade. Poor teaching. Poor leadership. Little caring, though even that's suspicious. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Benfield Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 408 8 4 0 0 n/a n/a -1 419
1990 394 9 4 0 0 n/a n/a -19 388
1991 377 5 9 0 0 n/a n/a 1 392
1992 380 4 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 392
1993 293 5 5 2 0 n/a n/a 0 305
1994 314 3 8 3 0 n/a n/a 0 328
1995 357 3 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 370
1996 357 3 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 370
1997 359 4 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 373
1998 364 5 9 2 1 n/a n/a 0 381
1999 377 2 11 0 0 n/a n/a 0 390
2000 365 4 11 0 0 n/a n/a 0 380
2001 363 7 8 0 1 n/a n/a 0 379
2002 406 8 6 0 1 n/a n/a 0 421
2003 406 8 6 0 1 n/a n/a 0 421
2004 420 8 6 0 1 n/a n/a 0 435
2005 407 7 3 2 1 n/a n/a 0 420
2006 440 8 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 453
2007 466 6 5 1 0 n/a n/a 0 478
2008 458 6 8 1 0 n/a n/a 0 473
2009 440 4 8 1 1 n/a n/a 0 454
2010 448 6 10 5 1 n/a n/a 0 470
2011 449 4 7 21 1 1 20 0 503
2012 409 4 7 18 0 0 18 0 456
2013 424 4 6 21 0 0 17 0 472
2014 429 4 4 30 0 1 22 0 490
2015 409 6 2 24 0 1 24 0 466
2016 397 3 4 29 0 1 31 0 465
2017 384 2 5 22 0 1 32 0 446
2018 372 1 7 27 1 1 28 0 437
2019 368 3 7 27 1 1 27 0 434
2020 350 3 7 21 1 0 28 0 410
2021 334 5 6 23 1 0 23 0 392
2022 340 8 10 33 1 0 18 0 410
2023 383 9 10 33 1 2 17 0 455

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 Benfield Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 419 19.6 21.3 n/a
1990 388 20.5 18.9 0
1991 392 19.8 19.7 0.3
1992 392 20.0 19.6 0.5
1993 305 18.8 16.2 0.7
1994 328 21.2 15.5 0
1995 370 19.1 19.4 0.5
1996 370 19.1 19.4 0.5
1997 373 19.0 19.6 0.8
1998 381 19.9 19.1 1.6
1999 390 20.0 19.5 0.5
2000 380 20.5 18.5 0.5
2001 379 22.4 16.9 1.1
2002 421 22.9 18.4 1
2003 421 22.9 18.4 1
2004 435 25.6 17.0 1.1
2005 420 22.0 19.1 2.1
2006 453 21.0 21.6 1.5
2007 478 26.7 17.9 1.5
2008 473 30.9 15.3 2.7
2009 454 27.8 16.3 2
2010 470 28.4 16.5 2.1
2011 503 28.5 17.6 0
2012 456 26.7 17.0 1.1
2013 472 29.7 15.8 1.9
2014 490 29.6 16.5 3.5
2015 466 28.0 16.6 3.9
2016 465 28.0 16.6 4.1
2017 446 27.7 16.1 3.4
2018 437 26.5 16.4 3.4
2019 434 27.7 15.6 2.5
2020 410 27.8 14.7 2.7
2021 392 29.7 13.1 5.6
2022 410 26.9 15.2 4.9
2023 455 30.8 14.7 6.2

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 Benfield Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 419 19.6 21.3 n/a
1990 388 20.5 18.9 0
1991 392 19.8 19.7 0.3
1992 392 20.0 19.6 0.5
1993 305 18.8 16.2 0.7
1994 328 21.2 15.5 0
1995 370 19.1 19.4 0.5
1996 370 19.1 19.4 0.5
1997 373 19.0 19.6 0.8
1998 381 19.9 19.1 1.6
1999 390 20.0 19.5 0.5
2000 380 20.5 18.5 0.5
2001 379 22.4 16.9 1.1
2002 421 22.9 18.4 1
2003 421 22.9 18.4 1
2004 435 25.6 17.0 1.1
2005 420 22.0 19.1 2.1
2006 453 21.0 21.6 1.5
2007 478 26.7 17.9 1.5
2008 473 30.9 15.3 2.7
2009 454 27.8 16.3 2
2010 470 28.4 16.5 2.1
2011 503 28.5 17.6 0
2012 456 26.7 17.0 1.1
2013 472 29.7 15.8 1.9
2014 490 29.6 16.5 3.5
2015 466 28.0 16.6 3.9
2016 465 28.0 16.6 4.1
2017 446 27.7 16.1 3.4
2018 437 26.5 16.4 3.4
2019 434 27.7 15.6 2.5
2020 410 27.8 14.7 2.7
2021 392 29.7 13.1 5.6
2022 410 26.9 15.2 4.9
2023 455 30.8 14.7 6.2

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 Benfield Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $354 (2.7%) $12,525 (97.3%) $12,879
2020 $534 (3.8%) $13,391 (96.2%) $13,925
2021 $978 (6.1%) $15,071 (93.9%) $16,049
2022 $1,287 (7.9%) $14,942 (92.1%) $16,228
2023 $1,554 (9.4%) $14,987 (90.6%) $16,541

Data source: Maryland Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Benfield Elementary

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 13th of 853 Elementary schoolsRanks 6th of 855 Elementary schools
 0.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students434455
 4.8%
African American39
 200%
American Indian11
Asian710
 42.9%
Hispanic2733
 22.2%
Pacific Islander12
 100%
White368383
 4.1%
Two or More Races2717
 37%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients2.5%6.2%
 3.6%

Schools Near Benfield Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about Benfield Elementary

Yes! Benfield Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 5th of 859 Maryland elementary schools.

Students at Benfield Elementary are 84% White, 7% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 2% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 455 students attended Benfield Elementary.

Students who attend Benfield Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Severna Park Middle
High : Severna Park High


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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