Bensley Elementary

Summary:

Bensley Elementary is a public elementary school in Richmond, Virginia, serving 582 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Chesterfield County Public Schools district, which is ranked 82 out of 130 districts in Virginia and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Bensley Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom 10% of Virginia elementary schools, with significantly lower performance on state assessments compared to the district and state averages. For example, in 2023-2024, the percentage of Bensley students proficient or better in Mathematics ranged from 15.79% to 50%, compared to the Chesterfield County averages of 53.58% to 69.36%, and the Virginia state averages of 67.98% to 71.16%. The school's performance is particularly low for certain student subgroups, such as Hispanic students and English Language Learners. Despite relatively high per-student spending and low student-to-teacher ratios, Bensley Elementary continues to struggle to improve student outcomes.

The nearby schools in the Chesterfield County district, such as Salem Church Elementary, J.A. Chalkley Elementary, and J.G. Hening Elementary, generally perform better than Bensley Elementary on state assessments and have higher statewide rankings. However, many of these nearby schools also serve student populations with high percentages of low-income and minority students, suggesting that the challenges faced by Bensley Elementary may be shared by other schools in the region. The schools in the Richmond City Public Schools district, such as J.L. Francis Elementary and Broad Rock Elementary, tend to have even lower academic performance and statewide rankings than Bensley Elementary, indicating that the challenges faced by high-poverty, high-minority schools may be more systemic across the region.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 6600 Strathmore Rd
       Richmond, VA  23237-1129


(804) 743-3610

District: Chesterfield County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
1096th of 1,114 Virginia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,000 Help


Students who attend Bensley Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Falling Creek Middle
High:    Meadowbrook High

Student/teacher ratio:  11.6 Help
Number of students:  582

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
72.5%
African American:
20.4%
White:
5.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  80.9% Help


 See top rated Virginia elementary schools

 Compare Bensley Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Bensley Elementary ranks worse than 98.4% of elementary schools in Virginia. It also ranks last among 39 ranked elementary schools in the Chesterfield County Public Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 3.51. (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
Help
Compare Details Bensley Elementary has the largest elementary school student body size in the Chesterfield County Public Schools District.  (See more...)
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bensley Elementary is $8,000, which is the 4th highest among 39 elementary schools in the Chesterfield County Public Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Bensley Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Bensley Elementary 1096th of 1114 Virginia public elementary schools. (See Bensley Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


Chesterfield County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Chesterfield County Public Schools 82nd of 130 Virginia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Bensley Elementary?

Rank History for Bensley Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Bensley Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 70.74 256th 1062 75.9%
2006 65.77 340th 1071 68.3%
2007 69.75 284th 1083 73.8%
2008 64.85 359th 1081 66.8%
2009 48.21 640th 1082 40.9%
2010 67.52 316th 1113 71.6%
2011 70.61 263rd 1117 76.5%
2012 72.05 247th 1117 77.9%
2013 68.57 330th 1120 70.5%
2014 57.48 484th 1110 56.4%
2015 63.36 413th 1100 62.5%
2016 72.88 259th 1096 76.4%
2017 80.15 153rd 1099 86.1%
2018 47.13 672nd 1097 38.7%
2019 45.43 685th 1105 38.0%
2021 16.36 947th 1103 14.1%
2022 16.09 975th 1109 12.1%
2023 9.98 1026th 1114 7.9%
2024 3.51 1096th 1114 1.6%
See the entire list of Virginia Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Bensley Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 34.03 212th 300 29.3%
2024 20.26 272nd 306 11.1%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Bensley Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 17.82 922nd 1036 11.0%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Bensley Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 10.60 1017th 1100 7.5%
2024 3.85 1080th 1098 1.6%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Bensley Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 10.24 1014th 1093 7.2%
2024 4.01 1085th 1101 1.5%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Bensley Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 19.60 509th 579 12.1%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Bensley Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools VA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 20.91 479th 564 15.1%
2024 10.84 544th 580 6.2%
See the entire list of Best Virginia Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: Virginia 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.

Bensley Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Virginia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Sunday, June 5, 2016

Open Quote Bensley Elem. has hard-working teachers,administrators, and students. There is a diverse population, but the school and community work well together to bring success. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Bensley Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 534 534
1990 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 535 535
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 537 537
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 551 551
1993 316 223 24 19 1 n/a n/a 0 583
1994 340 238 19 23 3 n/a n/a 0 623
1995 283 337 27 28 2 n/a n/a 0 677
1996 283 337 27 28 2 n/a n/a 0 677
1997 242 350 28 39 3 n/a n/a 0 662
1998 223 362 23 28 0 n/a n/a 0 636
1999 235 367 20 42 3 n/a n/a 0 667
2000 215 326 20 69 3 n/a n/a -4 629
2001 173 291 19 86 2 n/a n/a 0 571
2002 132 316 12 143 6 n/a n/a 0 609
2003 132 316 12 143 6 n/a n/a 0 609
2004 125 275 4 125 6 n/a n/a 4 539
2005 102 263 5 135 5 n/a n/a 7 517
2006 113 233 8 157 1 n/a n/a 0 512
2007 104 232 5 184 4 n/a n/a 3 532
2008 110 317 5 210 7 n/a n/a 2 651
2009 90 333 4 248 3 n/a n/a 0 678
2010 98 307 2 270 3 n/a n/a 0 680
2011 80 272 4 293 0 0 14 0 663
2012 80 254 5 294 1 0 20 0 654
2013 72 228 9 302 2 0 14 0 627
2014 84 204 5 334 0 1 20 0 648
2015 81 207 5 394 0 3 18 0 708
2016 72 199 4 439 0 4 19 0 737
2017 51 199 5 468 0 0 16 0 739
2018 48 179 2 488 0 0 16 0 733
2019 52 114 1 405 0 1 13 0 586
2020 40 133 1 472 1 0 15 0 662
2021 21 133 2 458 0 0 21 0 635
2022 25 127 2 444 0 0 15 0 613
2023 30 119 1 422 0 0 10 0 582

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 Bensley Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 534 29.5 18.1 n/a
1990 535 32.2 16.6 n/a
1991 537 38.3 14.0 n/a
1992 551 39.0 14.1 n/a
1993 583 38.5 15.1 n/a
1994 623 25.2 n/a 62.6
1995 677 n/a 0.0 62.8
1996 677 n/a 0.0 62.8
1997 662 n/a 0.0 69.2
1998 636 n/a 0.0 66.5
1999 667 46.0 14.5 78.3
2000 629 n/a 0.0 76.1
2001 571 49.3 11.6 90
2002 609 50.1 12.2 83.3
2003 609 50.1 12.2 83.3
2004 539 55.5 9.7 81.5
2005 517 55.5 9.3 79.2
2006 512 48.0 10.7 81.1
2007 532 48.0 11.1 76.9
2008 651 44.5 14.6 80.9
2009 678 46.8 14.5 81.4
2010 680 48.7 13.9 84.6
2011 663 49.6 13.3 88.5
2012 654 44.1 14.8 87.3
2013 627 44.0 14.2 88.4
2014 648 44.7 14.4 88.6
2015 708 46.0 15.3 88.4
2016 737 46.0 16.0 84.9
2017 739 48.2 15.3 86.9
2018 733 52.0 14.0 87.3
2019 586 42.4 13.8 83.3
2020 662 43.4 15.2 91.7
2021 635 60.6 10.4 n/a
2022 613 54.8 11.1 99
2023 582 49.7 11.6 80.9

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 Bensley Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 534 29.5 18.1 n/a
1990 535 32.2 16.6 n/a
1991 537 38.3 14.0 n/a
1992 551 39.0 14.1 n/a
1993 583 38.5 15.1 n/a
1994 623 25.2 n/a 62.6
1995 677 n/a 0.0 62.8
1996 677 n/a 0.0 62.8
1997 662 n/a 0.0 69.2
1998 636 n/a 0.0 66.5
1999 667 46.0 14.5 78.3
2000 629 n/a 0.0 76.1
2001 571 49.3 11.6 90
2002 609 50.1 12.2 83.3
2003 609 50.1 12.2 83.3
2004 539 55.5 9.7 81.5
2005 517 55.5 9.3 79.2
2006 512 48.0 10.7 81.1
2007 532 48.0 11.1 76.9
2008 651 44.5 14.6 80.9
2009 678 46.8 14.5 81.4
2010 680 48.7 13.9 84.6
2011 663 49.6 13.3 88.5
2012 654 44.1 14.8 87.3
2013 627 44.0 14.2 88.4
2014 648 44.7 14.4 88.6
2015 708 46.0 15.3 88.4
2016 737 46.0 16.0 84.9
2017 739 48.2 15.3 86.9
2018 733 52.0 14.0 87.3
2019 586 42.4 13.8 83.3
2020 662 43.4 15.2 91.7
2021 635 60.6 10.4 n/a
2022 613 54.8 11.1 99
2023 582 49.7 11.6 80.9

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 Bensley Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $624 (8.7%) $6,567 (91.3%) $7,191
2020 $391 (5.9%) $6,261 (94.1%) $6,651
2021 $604 (7.6%) $7,396 (92.5%) $8,000

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Bensley 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 685th of 1105 Elementary schoolsRanks 1026th of 1114 Elementary schools
 30.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Bensley Elementary)8831.7
 56.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Chesterfield County Public Schools)8467.4
 16.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8269.1
 12.9%
3rd Grade English Reading (Bensley Elementary)6028.4
 31.6%
   3rd Grade English Reading (Chesterfield County Public Schools)7366.9
 6.1%
   3rd Grade English Reading (Virginia)7166.1
 4.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Bensley Elementary)8863.4
 24.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Chesterfield County Public Schools)8567.5
 17.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8369.7
 13.3%
4th Grade English Reading (Bensley Elementary)7647.8
 28.2%
   4th Grade English Reading (Chesterfield County Public Schools)7973.5
 5.5%
   4th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7572.7
 2.3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Bensley Elementary)6039.7
 20.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Chesterfield County Public Schools)7650.8
 25.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)8167
 14%
5th Grade Science (Bensley Elementary)7452.2
 21.8%
   5th Grade Science (Chesterfield County Public Schools)8167.7
 13.3%
   5th Grade Science (Virginia)7966
 13%
5th Grade English Reading (Bensley Elementary)7043.3
 26.7%
   5th Grade English Reading (Chesterfield County Public Schools)8171.6
 9.4%
   5th Grade English Reading (Virginia)7871.4
 6.6%
6th Grade Mathematics (Bensley Elementary)10062
 38%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Chesterfield County Public Schools)8055
 25%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Virginia)7857
 21%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students586582
 0.7%
African American114119
 4.4%
American Indian00
Asian11
Hispanic405422
 4.2%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White5230
 42.3%
Two or More Races1310
 23.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients83.3%80.9%
 2.3%


Schools Near Bensley Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Bensley Elementary

In the 2022-23 school year, 582 students attended Bensley Elementary.

Students at Bensley Elementary are 73% Hispanic, 20% African American, 5% White, 2% Two or more races.

Bensley Elementary ranks in the bottom 1.6% of Virginia elementary schools.

Students who attend Bensley Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Falling Creek Middle
High : Meadowbrook 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 Virginia 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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