Benjamin J Phelps

Benjamin J Phelps is one of the intimate K-5 schools in Agawam, Massachusetts, run under Agawam, with 304 students on its rolls from grades K through 4. That puts it 20% smaller than the typical public school in Massachusetts, which averages around 381 students.

Benjamin J Phelps is one of 8 schools operated by Agawam, a district that teaches 3,461 students overall.

In terms of who attends, Benjamin J Phelps records that White students make up the majority at 76%; the rest reads as 13% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 3% multiracial, 3% Black. That is considerably more White than the county at large, where the share is closer to 64%.

In terms of school funding signals, Benjamin J Phelps reports 23 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 13.4:1. The state averages around 12.2:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical.

Zooming out to the county, ACS estimates for Hampden County put median household income runs about $71,306, 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits near 12%. Benjamin J Phelps is one of 168 public schools in Hampden County (combined enrollment of about 68,540 students).

The closest other public school is Agawam Early Childhood Center, roughly 0.7 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

The school occupies a residential site.

Five-year trend. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Benjamin J Phelps has contracted 22%, going from 388 students in 2018 to 304 in 2025. The White share of enrollment fell from 87% to 76% over that span.

In the discussion threads here, recent activity here tends to focus on classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. Members of the school community can share what they know.