Summary:
Zip code 71006 in Benton, Louisiana, is home to two middle-level schools—Benton Middle School and Benton Intermediate School—serving grades 5 through 8 within the highly-rated Bossier Parish School District, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 68th percentile statewide.
Benton Intermediate School (grades 5-6) stands out as the top performer in the area, consistently exceeding district and state averages across all core subjects. Its 5th and 6th graders achieve 91% proficiency in English Language Arts, and the school boasts a low chronic absenteeism rate of 22.5%, matching the state average. In contrast, Benton Middle School (grades 7-8) also performs well—with 84% ELA proficiency and a 0.1% dropout rate—but faces a notable challenge: its chronic absenteeism rate of 30.7% is 36% higher than its intermediate counterpart. Both schools excel in Social Studies, with Benton Intermediate at 79% proficient and Benton Middle at 75% proficient, far outpacing the state average of 55%. Academically, a slight decline occurs as students age: math proficiency drops from 89% in 6th grade to 78% in 8th grade, a common trend in education.
Despite being on the same campus, the two schools show a clear divergence in attendance, suggesting the transition to 7th and 8th grade may introduce engagement challenges. Both schools serve a relatively low percentage of economically disadvantaged students (30-33% free/reduced lunch), which aligns with their strong academic outcomes. However, Benton Intermediate, with a slightly higher economic disadvantage rate, still outperforms Benton Middle in every subject. Benton Middle School has a 4-star rating but shows ranking volatility, fluctuating from 54th to 99th and back to 59th in recent years, indicating intense competition at the top tier. Overall, families can expect high academic standards in this zip code, with Benton Intermediate leading in consistency and Benton Middle offering strong performance despite attendance concerns.
Thank you for your feedback!