Benson Secondary

Summary:

Benson Secondary is a public high school serving grades 6-12 in Benson, Minnesota, with a student population of 353 as of the 2022-2023 school year. The school faces several challenges, including a predominantly white and economically disadvantaged student population, declining academic performance relative to the state and nearby schools, and higher dropout rates.

Benson Secondary's academic performance, as measured by MCA-III test scores, is generally below the state average and the performance of the Benson Public School District as a whole. The school has a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, at 45.33% in the 2022-2023 school year, which is higher than the state average and indicates a higher level of economic disadvantage among the student population. Additionally, the school's statewide ranking has declined over the past several years, from a high of 145 out of 494 Minnesota high schools in 2017-2018 to 325 out of 480 in the 2023-2024 school year.

Interestingly, the nearby schools in the Benson Public School District, such as Heartland Girls Ranch and Benson Area Learning Center, have even lower academic performance and higher rates of economic disadvantage compared to Benson Secondary. However, the nearby Kerkhoven Secondary and Hancock Sec. schools in other districts outperform Benson Secondary on many academic metrics.


Detail:

Public 6-12

 1400 Montana Ave
       Benson, MN  56215-1246


(320) 843-2710

District: Benson Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
325th of 480 Minnesota High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,814 Help


Feeder schools for Benson Secondary:

Elementary:    Northside Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  13.3 Help
Number of students:  356

Racial breakdown:

White:
81.7%
Hispanic:
10.1%
Two or more races:
4.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  43.8% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Benson Secondary ranks worse than 65.5% of middle schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 36.26. (See more...)
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Compare Details Benson Secondary ranks worse than 67.7% of high schools in Minnesota. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 36.79. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Benson Secondary who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
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Compare Details Benson Secondary has the largest high school student body size in the Benson Public School District. Racial makeup is: White (81.7%), Hispanic (10.1%), two or more races (4.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 43.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Benson Public School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Benson Secondary is 13.3. 1 high schools in the Benson Public School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Benson Secondary employs 26.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Benson Secondary is $15,814. 1 high schools in the Benson Public School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Benson Secondary:

SchoolDigger ranks Benson Secondary 357th of 545 Minnesota public middle schools. (See Benson Secondary in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Benson Secondary 325th of 480 Minnesota public high schools. (See Benson Secondary in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Benson Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Benson Public School District 311th of 463 Minnesota school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Benson Secondary

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Rank History for all middle school students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 49.60 245th 387 36.7%
2005 75.82 89th 396 77.5%
2006 66.07 137th 406 66.3%
2007 58.32 179th 403 55.6%
2008 62.62 160th 409 60.9%
2010 55.12 228th 454 49.8%
2011 51.54 254th 478 46.9%
2012 60.52 200th 469 57.4%
2013 43.39 307th 488 37.1%
2014 36.14 346th 490 29.4%
2015 55.11 230th 516 55.4%
2016 60.20 200th 508 60.6%
2017 40.07 340th 523 35.0%
2018 62.58 193rd 518 62.7%
2019 30.65 400th 533 25.0%
2021 32.59 368th 521 29.4%
2022 44.74 297th 520 42.9%
2023 34.20 369th 529 30.2%
2024 36.26 357th 545 34.5%
See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 33.46 192nd 260 26.2%
2022 18.49 257th 288 10.8%
2024 55.28 115th 307 62.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.68 100th 401 75.1%
2019 39.09 281st 415 32.3%
2021 39.09 254th 399 36.3%
2022 47.07 209th 404 48.3%
2023 44.61 248th 459 46.0%
2024 30.20 356th 473 24.7%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.69 217th 436 50.2%
2019 19.34 377th 439 14.1%
2021 26.56 346th 443 21.9%
2022 51.22 221st 467 52.7%
2023 38.31 303rd 455 33.4%
2024 37.71 315th 474 33.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 65.78 143rd 438 67.4%
2019 37.68 305th 454 32.8%
2021 35.20 292nd 437 33.2%
2022 36.77 311th 476 34.7%
2023 27.49 348th 464 25.0%
2024 32.13 338th 479 29.4%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.66 205th 428 52.1%
2019 17.68 389th 428 9.1%
2021 17.71 379th 422 10.2%
2022 31.54 320th 438 26.9%
2023 20.88 380th 436 12.8%
2024 21.71 378th 440 14.1%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for White Students!

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

Rank History for Benson Secondary

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Rank History for all high school students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 62.48 246th 433 43.2%
2005 60.87 269th 452 40.5%
2006 56.64 249th 450 44.7%
2007 40.33 336th 463 27.4%
2008 66.63 189th 460 58.9%
2010 73.68 124th 540 77.0%
2011 71.28 155th 545 71.6%
2012 68.25 198th 539 63.3%
2013 63.86 212th 534 60.3%
2014 62.32 208th 483 56.9%
2015 66.47 180th 504 64.3%
2016 49.64 297th 489 39.3%
2017 62.29 209th 489 57.3%
2018 71.66 145th 494 70.6%
2019 62.20 204th 492 58.5%
2021 34.82 314th 428 26.6%
2022 38.24 326th 472 30.9%
2023 45.37 274th 476 42.4%
2024 36.79 325th 480 32.3%
See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.82 151st 374 59.6%
2019 46.39 206th 370 44.3%
2021 42.25 169th 270 37.4%
2022 35.31 207th 312 33.7%
2023 24.79 320th 393 18.6%
2024 37.66 258th 389 33.7%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.42 120th 395 69.6%
2019 60.41 169th 401 57.9%
2021 20.90 302nd 339 10.9%
2022 41.20 259th 388 33.2%
2023 52.22 201st 396 49.2%
2024 42.73 251st 403 37.7%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.49 211th 398 47.0%
2019 46.35 250th 411 39.2%
2021 40.64 226th 351 35.6%
2022 29.85 313th 403 22.3%
2023 30.79 300th 398 24.6%
2024 25.87 322nd 405 20.5%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Benson Secondary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.28 174th 414 58.0%
2019 50.12 234th 412 43.2%
2021 26.13 308th 364 15.4%
2022 21.56 348th 401 13.2%
2023 29.08 315th 398 20.9%
2024 21.86 343rd 402 14.7%
See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota 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.

Benson Secondary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Benson Secondary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 534 1 3 2 2 n/a n/a 0 542
1989 509 0 4 2 4 n/a n/a 0 519
1990 492 0 4 0 4 n/a n/a 0 500
1991 522 0 4 1 3 n/a n/a 0 530
1992 511 1 4 1 5 n/a n/a 0 522
1993 552 2 4 2 2 n/a n/a 0 562
1994 582 2 4 2 2 n/a n/a 0 592
1995 582 5 4 1 2 n/a n/a 0 594
1996 582 5 4 1 2 n/a n/a 0 594
1997 597 4 1 5 4 n/a n/a 0 611
1998 609 9 2 9 2 n/a n/a 0 631
1999 576 4 3 8 2 n/a n/a 0 593
2000 571 6 2 10 2 n/a n/a 0 591
2001 536 9 2 6 5 n/a n/a 0 558
2002 515 10 1 3 6 n/a n/a 0 535
2003 515 10 1 3 6 n/a n/a 0 535
2004 516 8 1 14 2 n/a n/a 0 541
2005 500 5 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 513
2006 505 4 2 9 0 n/a n/a 0 520
2007 495 2 0 13 2 n/a n/a 0 512
2008 469 1 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 475
2009 456 3 5 5 0 n/a n/a 0 469
2010 451 3 3 7 0 n/a n/a 0 464
2011 439 0 3 14 0 0 3 0 459
2012 413 0 3 8 0 0 4 0 428
2013 386 2 4 13 1 0 2 0 408
2014 372 2 3 16 0 0 0 0 393
2015 348 0 2 19 1 0 2 0 372
2016 351 3 2 22 1 0 5 0 384
2017 331 4 3 17 0 0 6 0 361
2018 312 3 1 28 0 0 5 0 349
2019 302 5 1 25 1 1 7 0 342
2020 297 6 4 25 0 0 9 0 341
2021 340 8 6 35 0 0 10 0 399
2022 321 6 5 33 0 0 10 0 375
2023 301 5 5 34 0 0 8 0 353
2024 291 6 7 36 0 0 16 0 356

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 Benson Secondary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 542 38.3 14.1 21.4
1989 519 35.2 14.7 22.7
1990 500 34.4 14.5 52
1991 530 35.3 15.0 14.9
1992 522 37.9 13.7 16.5
1993 562 36.5 15.4 12.5
1994 592 37.4 15.8 0
1995 594 38.4 15.5 11.4
1996 594 38.4 15.5 11.4
1997 611 41.1 14.9 10.3
1998 631 n/a 0.0 14.1
1999 593 42.1 14.1 11.8
2000 591 37.9 15.6 23.5
2001 558 37.6 14.8 27.4
2002 535 38.8 13.8 26.5
2003 535 38.8 13.8 26.5
2004 541 38.1 14.2 25.5
2005 513 34.4 14.9 25.5
2006 520 34.0 15.3 25
2007 512 35.4 14.5 27.9
2008 475 35.8 13.3 23.8
2009 469 34.8 13.5 23.9
2010 464 34.4 13.4 25.9
2011 459 34.2 13.4 29.8
2012 428 33.2 12.8 27.6
2013 408 31.6 12.8 24.3
2014 393 26.5 14.7 20.1
2015 372 27.0 13.7 21.2
2016 384 27.0 14.2 28.9
2017 361 25.4 14.2 26.9
2018 349 26.5 13.1 30.9
2019 342 26.4 12.9 33
2020 341 19.2 17.6 33.7
2021 399 17.8 22.4 33.3
2022 375 18.5 20.1 35.7
2023 353 20.9 16.8 45.3
2024 356 26.6 13.3 43.8

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 Benson Secondary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 542 38.3 14.1 21.4
1989 519 35.2 14.7 22.7
1990 500 34.4 14.5 52
1991 530 35.3 15.0 14.9
1992 522 37.9 13.7 16.5
1993 562 36.5 15.4 12.5
1994 592 37.4 15.8 0
1995 594 38.4 15.5 11.4
1996 594 38.4 15.5 11.4
1997 611 41.1 14.9 10.3
1998 631 n/a 0.0 14.1
1999 593 42.1 14.1 11.8
2000 591 37.9 15.6 23.5
2001 558 37.6 14.8 27.4
2002 535 38.8 13.8 26.5
2003 535 38.8 13.8 26.5
2004 541 38.1 14.2 25.5
2005 513 34.4 14.9 25.5
2006 520 34.0 15.3 25
2007 512 35.4 14.5 27.9
2008 475 35.8 13.3 23.8
2009 469 34.8 13.5 23.9
2010 464 34.4 13.4 25.9
2011 459 34.2 13.4 29.8
2012 428 33.2 12.8 27.6
2013 408 31.6 12.8 24.3
2014 393 26.5 14.7 20.1
2015 372 27.0 13.7 21.2
2016 384 27.0 14.2 28.9
2017 361 25.4 14.2 26.9
2018 349 26.5 13.1 30.9
2019 342 26.4 12.9 33
2020 341 19.2 17.6 33.7
2021 399 17.8 22.4 33.3
2022 375 18.5 20.1 35.7
2023 353 20.9 16.8 45.3
2024 356 26.6 13.3 43.8

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 Benson Secondary

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $15,814

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Benson Secondary

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 400th of 533 Middle schoolsRanks 369th of 529 Middle schools
 5.3%
Ranks 204th of 492 High schoolsRanks 274th of 476 High schools
 16.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade Math (Benson Secondary)39.331.8
 7.5%
   7th Grade Math (Benson Public School District)39.331.8
 7.5%
   7th Grade Math (Minnesota)52.139.7
 12.4%
7th Grade Reading (Benson Secondary)44.438.6
 5.8%
   7th Grade Reading (Benson Public School District)44.438.6
 5.8%
   7th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.545.2
 12.3%
8th Grade Math (Benson Secondary)43.816.3
 27.4%
   8th Grade Math (Benson Public School District)43.816
 27.8%
   8th Grade Math (Minnesota)55.240.3
 14.9%
8th Grade Reading (Benson Secondary)40.822.5
 18.4%
   8th Grade Reading (Benson Public School District)40.821.6
 19.3%
   8th Grade Reading (Minnesota)57.744.8
 12.9%
8th Grade Science (Benson Secondary)20.416.3
 4.1%
   8th Grade Science (Benson Public School District)20.416
 4.4%
   8th Grade Science (Minnesota)4327.6
 15.4%
10th Grade Reading (Benson Secondary)57.845.2
 12.6%
   10th Grade Reading (Benson Public School District)50.745.7
 5%
   10th Grade Reading (Minnesota)60.451.7
 8.7%
11th Grade Math (Benson Secondary)47.227.7
 19.5%
   11th Grade Math (Benson Public School District)40.325
 15.3%
   11th Grade Math (Minnesota)4536
 9%
End of Course Science (Benson Secondary)49.229
 20.2%
   End of Course Science (Benson Public School District)44.926.8
 18.1%
   End of Course Science (Minnesota)54.441.8
 12.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students342353
 3.2%
African American55
American Indian10
 100%
Asian15
 400%
Hispanic2534
 36%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White302301
 0.3%
Two or More Races78
 14.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients33%45.3%
 12.3%


Schools Near Benson Secondary









Frequently Asked Questions about Benson Secondary

Benson Secondary is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Northside Elementary

In the 2023-24 school year, 356 students attended Benson Secondary.

Students at Benson Secondary are 82% White, 10% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 2% African American.

Benson Secondary ranks 325th of 480 Minnesota high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


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