Benton Middle-Senior High School
Benton Middle Senior High School is a tiny, rural, public combined middle school and high school in Benton, Pennsylvania. As of 2018, BAHS had 179 students enrolled. Of them, 44.1% were economically disadvantaged, 18.4% were in special education programs, and 4% were either in foster care or homeless. In addition, some 10.6% of Benton High students were identified as gifted.
Benton Middle Senior High School serves: the Boroughs of Benton and Stillwater and Benton Township, Fishing Creek Township, Jackson Township and Sugarloaf Township in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. The school is the sole middle school and high school operated by the Benton Area School District.
Curriculum and Graduation
AP Courses
In 2013, Benton Middle High School offered 2 Advanced Placement courses at a higher cost than regular courses. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Benton High School 52% of students who took an AP course in 2013 earned a 3 or better on the exam. In 2014, Benton Middle Senior High School offered 3 AP courses, with 53% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.Extracurriculars
The Benton Middle Senior High School offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and a well-funded sports program. By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.Music are offered, as well as Drama Club, Key Club, SADD, and FFA, Yearbook Club, Odyssey of the Mind, Technology Club, Academic Tutors, Library Club and a chapter of the National Honor Society. Advisors receive compensation in accordance with the teachers' union contract.
Sports
Varsity and junior varsity athletic activities are under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and the regional Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference. The Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference is a voluntary association of 25 PIAA High Schools within the central Pennsylvania region. Eligibility for participation is determined by Benton Area School Board policy. All sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching, as per Senate Bill 200 of Session 2011, the Safety in Youth Sports Act, effective July 1, 2012. The Athletic Director is Bill Pasukinis. The District has contracted with Geisinger Sports Medicine for athletic trainer services.According to PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act 126 of 2014, all volunteer coaches and all those who assist in student activities, must have criminal background checks. Like all school district employees, they must also attend an anti child abuse training once every three years.
Benton Area School District does not provide its athletics disclosure form on its web site. Article XVI-C of the Public School Code requires the disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all public secondary school entities in Pennsylvania. All school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes beginning with the 2012-13 school year and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, all non-school contributions and purchases must also be reported to PDE.
Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.
According to PIAA directory July 2012, the district funds:
;Boys:
- Baseball - A
- Basketball- A
- Golf - AA
- Soccer - A
- Wrestling - AA
- Basketball - A
- Field Hockey - AA
- Golf - AA
- Soccer - A
- Softball - A
;Boys:
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Wrestling
- Basketball
- Field Hockey
Graduation requirements
By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2020, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams. For the class of 2019, a composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements. In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level. Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.
Students have several opportunities to pass the exams. Schools are mandated to provide targeted assistance to help the student be successful. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate. The original intent was to gradually add seven more exams including civics and geometry. In 2017, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation that eliminated developing any more Keystone Exams in other subjects. School district superintendents have the discretion to graduate up to 10% of pupils who do not pass the exams or project.
In 2017, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed House Bill 202, which makes modifications of the Keystone Exam mandates for students who attend VoTech and Career Tech schools. These pupils will be allowed to use alternate assessments or industry-based certifications.
Graduation Rates
In 2016, Benton Area School District graduation rate was 100%.| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2011/12 | 2010 |
| 95% | 100% | 95.83% | 98% | 97% |
In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate.
;Former AYP graduation rate
Before the new cohort graduation rate was issued by the state Department of Education, BMSHS experienced similar graduation rates.
| 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |
| 96% | 90% | 90% | 96% | 94% |
Past Enrollment Rates
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, Benton Middle Senior High School reported an enrollment of 341 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 146 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 33.5 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 10:1. Per a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.In 2013, enrollment was 313 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 26% of pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 17.25% of its pupils received special education services and 6% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 34 teachers. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
In 2014, enrollment had declined to 295 pupils grades 7th through 12th. In 2013, enrollment was 313 pupils in grades 7th through12, with 26% of pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 17.25% of its pupils received special education services and 6% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 34 teachers. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
In 2016, enrollment was reported as 299 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 35% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 19.4% of pupils received special education services, while none of the pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 27 teachers. Per the PA Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
School Performance
PSSA results
s, commonly called PSSAs, are NCLB-related examination given in the Spring of each school year. From 1999 to 2012, Pennsylvania eleventh graders took the PSSAs in reading, mathematics, science and writing. Sixth and seventh grades are tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999. Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.2016: the PSSA mandated testing results were: 70% of students in 8th grade were on grade level in reading, while just 23% of students demonstrated on grade level in mathematics. In science, 77% of eighth grade pupils demonstrated on grade level science understanding. In 7th grade, 60% of pupils were on grade level in reading, while just 24% demonstrated on grade level math skills.
2015: The PDE also reported that 61% of 8th grade students at Middle School students were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In math/Algebra 1, 20% of 8th grade students showed on grade level skills. In science, 75% of the school's 8th graders demonstrated on grade level science understanding. No eighth grade writing scores were reported. In 7th grade, 66% were on grade level in reading, while 30% showed on grade level math skills. Statewide 58% of eighth graders were on grade level in reading, while 29% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 7th graders were 58% on grade level in reading and 33% demonstrated on grade level math skills.
2014: The PDE also reported that 61% of 8th grade students at Middle School students were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In math/Algebra 1, 20% of 8th grade students showed on grade level skills. In science, 75% of the school's 8th graders demonstrated on grade level science understanding. No eighth grade writing scores were reported. In 7th grade, 66% were on grade level in reading, while 30% showed on grade level math skills. Statewide 58% of eighth graders were on grade level in reading, while 29% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 7th graders were 58% on grade level in reading and 33% demonstrated on grade level math skills.
School Performance Profile
The School Performance Profile is a measure of a school's performance based on its students Keystone scores.The Keystone Exams are meant to be graduation requirements in the State of Pennsylvania. However, they are frequently suspended by the Pennsylvania General Assembly due to low passing rates. In 2016, the requirement that pupils pass the Keystone Exams in reading, algebra I and bIology I in order to graduate was postponed until 2019 by the Assembly because less than 60% of 12 grade pupils statewide would have been eligible for graduation from high school due to failing one or more Keystone Exams. Fifty-four percent of the 2,676 public schools in Pennsylvania achieved a passing score of 70 or better.
In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year. The following percentages are the amounts of students that passed the related Keystone exam.
| Year | SPP Score | Keystone Results |
| 2016 | 72 out of 100 | 84% 89% 94% |
| 2015 | 72.8 out of 100 | 67% 61% 65% |
| 2014 | 69.4 out of 100 | 79% 79.8% 65.9% |
| 2013 | 72.7 out of 100 | 77% 78.5% 68.6% |
In 2016, BAHS ranked 11th out of 17 CSIU16 region public high schools for academic achievement.
Previous Exam Scores
Before 2013, the PSSAs were used to evaluate the grade levels now assessed by the Keystone Exams. As with the above table, the percentages stand for the number of pupils who tested on grade level: in addition, the "state" numbers stand for the number of students across Pennsylvania that tested on grade level. Here are the scores from that time period:| Year | Mathematics | Reading | Science |
| 2012 | 65% | 62% | 48% |
| 2011 | 65.2% | 60.9% | 50% |
| 2010 | 44% | 54% | 34% |
| 2009 | 52.7% | 57% | 47% |
| 2008 | 60.8% | 66.6% | 38.8% |
| 2007 | 49.1% | 47.3% | -- |
Comparatively, here are the average scores for the State of Pennsylvania during the same years.
| Year | Mathematics | Reading | Science |
| 2012 | 59% | 67% | 44% |
| 2011 | 60.3% | 69.1% | 40% |
| 2010 | 59% | 66% | 39% |
| 2009 | 56% | 65% | 40% |
| 2008 | 56% | 65% | 35.5% |
| 2007 | 53% | 65% | -- |
SAT scores
While the SAT is not a required test, it is a common barometer for college admissions, meaning that a significant number of pupils at Benton Area High School opt to take the exams yearly. The chart below is a compilation of the average scores of BASD students.| Year | Number of Students who Took the SATs | Average BASD SAT Score |
| 2016 | 25 | Reading: 495 Math: 496 Writing: 459 |
| 2015 | 30 | Reading: 498 Math: 489 Writing: 476 |
| 2014 | 24 | Reading: 475 Math: 482 Writing: 463 |
| 2013 | 34 | Reading: 531 Math: 497 Writing: 496 |
| 2012 | 27 | Reading: 506 Math: 504 Writing: 477 |
| 2011 | 31 | Reading: 478 Math: 478 Writing: 445 |
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a research arm of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, compared the SAT data of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania to students in urban areas. From 2003 to 2005, the average total SAT score for students in rural Pennsylvania was 992, while urban students averaged 1,006. During the same period, 28 percent of 11th and 12th graders in rural school districts took the exam, compared to 32 percent of urban students in the same grades. The average math and verbal scores were 495 and 497, respectively, for rural students, while urban test-takers averaged 499 and 507, respectively. Pennsylvania’s SAT composite score ranked low on the national scale in 2004. The composite SAT score of 1,003 left Pennsylvania ranking 44 out of the 50 states and Washington, DC.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education reported that 71 percent of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania chose to continue their education after high school in 2003, whereas 79 percent of urban high school graduates opted to continue their education.
Educational Issues
Like most rural schools in America, Benton Area High School has certain educational deficits. These are reflected both within the school and beyond it, when its graduates go on to college.College remediation
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 20% of Benton Area High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in mathematics, reading or English.AYP History
In 2012, Benton Middle Senior High School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress status due to lagging student academic achievement. In 2011 and 2010, Benton Middle Senior High School achieved AYP status. From 2004 to 2009, Benton Middle Senior High School achieved AYP status each school year. In 2003, the school was in Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement.In 2009, Benton High School ranked 444 out of 610 Pennsylvania high schools, vocational schools, and charter schools for student academic achievement as demonstrated on the PSSAs for math and reading.
Opportunities
Dual Enrollment
When it was available, the Benton Area High School did not offer the Pennsylvania dual enrollment program, which permitted students to earn deeply discounted college credits while still enrolled in high school. The program was offered through over 400 school districts with the assistance of a state grant. In 2010-11, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, due to a state budget crisis.The High School does not participate in the Penn College NOW classes offered by Pennsylvania College of Technology to schools in the region.
Benton Middle High School students have access to Bloomsburg University's Summer College and Advanced College Experience during the summer of their sophomore, junior and senior years. Tuition is deeply discounted to 75% of the regular student rate. Successful students earn college credits that can be transferred to other Pennsylvania public colleges and universities through the Pennsylvania TRAC system.
'''Science in Motion'''
Benton Middle Senior High School did not take advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate. Susquehanna University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.Tuition
Students who live in the District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Area School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the Benton Area School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rate for the Benton Middle Senior High School was $9,914.11.Classrooms for the Future grant
The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The state grant requires the district hire a part-time technology coach, whose role is to assist the teachers in using the equipment and software effectively to improve their instruction. The salary is covered by the grant. The program was funded from 2006–2009. Benton Area School District was denied funding by the Rendell Administration, in 2006–07. The District applied again and received $109,661 in 2007–08 and $45,413 in 2008–09 for a total funding of $155,074. Among public schools in Columbia County, Berwick Area School District received the largest grant - $403,446. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of the 2009-10 state budget.School safety and bullying
The Benton Middle Senior High School administration reported there were thirteen incidents of bullying in the school in 2012. Additionally, there was a case of harassment and two sexual harassment incidents. The local law enforcement was involved in six incidents at the school with 4 arrests. Each year the school safety data is reported by the district to the Safe School Center which then publishes the compiled reports online.The Benton Area School Board has provided the District's anti bullying/cyberbullying policy online. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the District must conduct an annual review of that policy with students. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.
Education standards relating to student safety and anti harassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.
School Safety grants
In 2013, Benton Area School District did not participate in a state Safe Schools Targeted Grant. The maximum of $25,000 grants were awarded through a competitive application process. The funds must be used for research based interventions, like: peer mediation, staff training in managing behavioral issues and creating a positive school climate. Nor did the Benton Area School Board apply for a Pennsylvania School Resource Officer and Police Officer grant in 2013.Wellness policy
Benton Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006. The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation. The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts are required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
Highmark Healthy High 5 grant
In 2011, Benton Area School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Benton Area High School received $4,848 which was used to purchase equipment to implement the Benton Wii Play 60 program to enhance current physical education programming. Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools.Food service
Benton Middle Senior High School offers both a free school breakfast and free or reduced-price lunch to low-income children. The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals. The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D. In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch. In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day. The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.
Benton Area School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance. Nurses also monitor each child's weight.