Benson Elementary

Summary:

Benson Elementary is a public elementary school serving 608 students in grades PK-4 in Benson, North Carolina, which is part of the Johnston County Public Schools district. This school stands out for its diverse student population, strong academic performance, and effective support for subgroups like English Language Learners and low-income students.

Benson Elementary has a more diverse student body compared to nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Hispanic students (36.02%) and a lower percentage of White students (39.97%). Academically, the school has shown remarkable improvement in recent years, rising from the bottom quarter of North Carolina elementary schools to the top quarter, earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. Benson Elementary's performance on key subgroups is particularly noteworthy, ranking in the top 10% for English Language Learners and top 8% for low-income students in the state.

When compared to nearby schools like West Smithfield Elementary, Plain View Elementary, and Buies Creek Elementary, Benson Elementary stands out for its stronger academic performance, more diverse student population, and better support for subgroups. This success is likely aided by the school's higher spending per student compared to the state average and some nearby schools.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-4

 2040 Hwy 50 N
       Benson, NC  27504-6570


(919) 894-4233

District: Johnston County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
369th of 1,505 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,116 Help


Students who attend Benson Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Benson Middle
High:    South Johnston High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.4 Help
Number of students:  608

Racial breakdown:

White:
40.0%
Hispanic:
36.0%
African American:
17.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  73.8% Help


 See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Benson Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Benson Elementary ranks better than 75.5% of elementary schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 7th among 23 ranked elementary schools in the Johnston County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 72.07. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Benson Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (40%), Hispanic (36%), African American (17.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 73.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Benson Elementary is 14.4, which is the 10th best among 23 elementary schools in the Johnston County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Benson Elementary employs 42 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Benson Elementary is $10,116, which is the 11th highest among 23 elementary schools in the Johnston County Public Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Benson Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Benson Elementary 369th of 1505 North Carolina public elementary schools. (See Benson Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Johnston County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Johnston County Public Schools 90th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Benson Elementary?

Rank History for Benson Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Benson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 62.16 497th 1276 61.1%
2007 68.89 370th 1293 71.4%
2008 61.53 522nd 1324 60.6%
2009 47.47 804th 1354 40.6%
2010 59.40 623rd 1363 54.3%
2011 54.32 719th 1381 47.9%
2012 56.88 663rd 1388 52.2%
2013 35.63 934th 1403 33.4%
2014 43.74 794th 1390 42.9%
2015 27.79 1112th 1440 22.8%
2016 36.97 971st 1425 31.9%
2017 25.79 1146th 1429 19.8%
2018 8.94 1354th 1434 5.6%
2019 13.75 1324th 1473 10.1%
2021 25.61 1092nd 1489 26.7%
2022 53.27 684th 1514 54.8%
2023 56.50 648th 1502 56.9%
2024 72.07 369th 1505 75.5%
See the entire list of North Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Benson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.05 410th 421 2.6%
2019 25.00 436th 497 12.3%
2021 63.71 72nd 385 81.3%
2022 42.30 262nd 485 46.0%
2023 60.27 131st 514 74.5%
2024 89.68 33rd 533 93.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Benson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 65.04 169th 801 78.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Benson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.76 1231st 1332 7.6%
2019 16.85 1257th 1361 7.6%
2021 38.15 816th 1329 38.6%
2022 69.16 290th 1366 78.8%
2023 65.55 402nd 1437 72.0%
2024 83.18 115th 1450 92.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Benson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.51 1290th 1405 8.2%
2019 16.40 1278th 1424 10.3%
2021 23.92 1118th 1440 22.4%
2022 59.39 563rd 1458 61.4%
2023 59.24 572nd 1459 60.8%
2024 68.73 389th 1455 73.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Benson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 33.95 437th 646 32.4%
2022 57.39 183rd 634 71.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Benson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.30 1370th 1413 3.0%
2019 13.22 1314th 1430 8.1%
2021 28.94 1007th 1444 30.3%
2022 45.67 786th 1464 46.3%
2023 53.39 679th 1461 53.5%
2024 72.34 348th 1464 76.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Benson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 9.44 911th 927 1.7%
2019 18.95 868th 949 8.5%
2021 17.38 851st 896 5.0%
2022 66.92 219th 927 76.4%
2023 47.75 467th 933 49.9%
2024 50.78 417th 924 54.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Benson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 10.63 830th 851 2.5%
2019 16.47 820th 865 5.2%
2021 43.29 445th 843 47.2%
2022 62.68 247th 893 72.3%
2023 70.06 187th 915 79.6%
2024 81.44 107th 951 88.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Benson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 8.55 1147th 1178 2.6%
2019 8.81 1149th 1183 2.9%
2021 14.13 1104th 1172 5.8%
2022 41.34 739th 1194 38.1%
2023 57.88 497th 1183 58.0%
2024 75.14 258th 1166 77.9%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, 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 Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)
0%

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0%

100%

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Reviews:
by a citizen
Monday, September 11, 2017

Open Quote Why is Benson Elementary rated 19th among 22 ranked elementary schools in Johnston Co.??? Close Quote



Enrollment information for Benson Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 641 291 5 32 3 n/a n/a 0 972
1989 634 295 3 45 2 n/a n/a 0 979
1990 627 281 3 45 1 n/a n/a 0 957
1991 641 260 0 40 3 n/a n/a 0 944
1992 654 242 0 47 6 n/a n/a 1 950
1993 377 132 1 29 0 n/a n/a 0 539
1994 378 135 2 35 1 n/a n/a 0 551
1995 364 167 2 35 3 n/a n/a 0 571
1996 364 167 2 35 3 n/a n/a 0 571
1997 370 184 2 55 5 n/a n/a 0 616
1998 347 196 4 74 4 n/a n/a 0 625
1999 318 227 3 66 4 n/a n/a 0 618
2000 311 176 5 58 3 n/a n/a 0 553
2001 315 179 3 64 2 n/a n/a 0 563
2002 319 126 2 78 3 n/a n/a 0 528
2003 319 126 2 78 3 n/a n/a 0 528
2004 332 132 2 78 2 n/a n/a 0 546
2005 327 136 2 85 2 n/a n/a 0 552
2006 308 151 2 99 3 n/a n/a 0 563
2007 292 102 5 106 3 n/a n/a 32 540
2008 325 95 3 109 3 n/a n/a 27 562
2009 313 138 3 124 4 n/a n/a 0 582
2010 306 133 1 125 6 n/a n/a 0 571
2011 302 98 1 152 5 0 11 0 569
2012 311 91 1 161 3 0 16 0 583
2013 301 88 0 192 4 0 20 0 605
2014 291 75 0 207 3 0 31 0 607
2015 304 84 0 234 2 0 18 0 642
2016 282 100 0 220 2 0 21 0 625
2017 274 105 0 212 2 0 31 0 624
2018 279 108 0 214 2 0 22 0 625
2019 266 110 0 206 2 0 29 0 613
2020 265 96 0 208 2 0 38 0 609
2021 238 98 1 204 0 0 44 0 585
2022 233 102 1 215 1 0 40 0 592
2023 243 106 0 219 1 0 39 0 608

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 Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 972 55.0 17.6 37.3
1989 979 55.0 17.8 42.4
1990 957 55.0 17.4 46.9
1991 944 58.0 16.2 47.6
1992 950 58.0 16.3 34.2
1993 539 33.0 16.3 75.1
1994 551 32.0 17.2 37
1995 571 38.0 15.0 38.4
1996 571 38.0 15.0 38.4
1997 616 38.0 16.2 47.2
1998 625 41.0 15.2 44.3
1999 618 42.0 14.7 54.9
2000 553 40.0 13.8 66.9
2001 563 42.0 13.4 64.1
2002 528 44.0 12.0 53.4
2003 528 44.0 12.0 53.4
2004 546 46.0 11.9 57.5
2005 552 46.0 12.0 60.1
2006 563 46.0 12.2 66.1
2007 540 n/a n/a 65
2008 562 42.6 13.2 n/a
2009 582 44.0 13.2 n/a
2010 571 41.8 13.6 61.6
2011 569 40.5 14.0 61.3
2012 583 42.3 13.7 66.6
2013 605 44.4 13.6 64.8
2014 607 47.5 12.7 70.3
2015 642 48.0 13.3 71.8
2016 625 49.0 12.7 69.4
2017 624 46.0 13.5 69.9
2018 625 44.5 14.0 69.1
2019 613 45.0 13.6 66.2
2020 609 44.9 13.5 64.2
2021 585 45.5 12.8 56.9
2022 592 46.0 12.8 50.8
2023 608 42.0 14.4 73.8

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 Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 972 55.0 17.6 37.3
1989 979 55.0 17.8 42.4
1990 957 55.0 17.4 46.9
1991 944 58.0 16.2 47.6
1992 950 58.0 16.3 34.2
1993 539 33.0 16.3 75.1
1994 551 32.0 17.2 37
1995 571 38.0 15.0 38.4
1996 571 38.0 15.0 38.4
1997 616 38.0 16.2 47.2
1998 625 41.0 15.2 44.3
1999 618 42.0 14.7 54.9
2000 553 40.0 13.8 66.9
2001 563 42.0 13.4 64.1
2002 528 44.0 12.0 53.4
2003 528 44.0 12.0 53.4
2004 546 46.0 11.9 57.5
2005 552 46.0 12.0 60.1
2006 563 46.0 12.2 66.1
2007 540 n/a n/a 65
2008 562 42.6 13.2 n/a
2009 582 44.0 13.2 n/a
2010 571 41.8 13.6 61.6
2011 569 40.5 14.0 61.3
2012 583 42.3 13.7 66.6
2013 605 44.4 13.6 64.8
2014 607 47.5 12.7 70.3
2015 642 48.0 13.3 71.8
2016 625 49.0 12.7 69.4
2017 624 46.0 13.5 69.9
2018 625 44.5 14.0 69.1
2019 613 45.0 13.6 66.2
2020 609 44.9 13.5 64.2
2021 585 45.5 12.8 56.9
2022 592 46.0 12.8 50.8
2023 608 42.0 14.4 73.8

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 Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,002 (9.9%) $9,114 (90.1%) $10,116

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Benson 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 1324th of 1473 Elementary schoolsRanks 648th of 1502 Elementary schools
 46.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Benson Elementary)50.979.1
 28.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Johnston County Public Schools)56.864.5
 7.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)64.361.1
 3.2%
3rd Grade Reading (Benson Elementary)38.649.6
 11%
   3rd Grade Reading (Johnston County Public Schools)51.151.4
 0.3%
   3rd Grade Reading (North Carolina)56.848
 8.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Benson Elementary)35.151.6
 16.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Johnston County Public Schools)5158.5
 7.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%
4th Grade Reading (Benson Elementary)23.947.6
 23.7%
   4th Grade Reading (Johnston County Public Schools)47.458.2
 10.8%
   4th Grade Reading (North Carolina)57.355.3
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students613608
 0.8%
African American110106
 3.6%
American Indian21
 50%
Asian00
Hispanic206219
 6.3%
Pacific Islander00
White266243
 8.6%
Two or More Races2939
 34.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients66.2%73.8%
 7.6%


Schools Near Benson Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Benson Elementary

Benson Elementary ranks 369th of 1505 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Benson Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Benson Middle
High : South Johnston High

In the 2022-23 school year, 608 students attended Benson Elementary.

Students at Benson Elementary are 40% White, 36% Hispanic, 17% African American, 6% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

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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