BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER

As a micro-enrollment senior high in BENSON, Minnesota, BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER hosts 13 students from grades 7 through 12, operated by BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Enrollment runs roughly 96% leaner than the state mean of about 371.

Across the 4 schools in BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT (760 students total), BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Looking at the student body, BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER reports that the most-represented group is White (46%), with the rest of the student body spread across multiple groups. Other groups include 31% Hispanic, 8% Black, 8% Asian, 8% multiracial. The wider county runs roughly 88% White, putting the school's mix meaningfully less White than the area baseline.

Looking at the economic backdrop, BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER lists 1 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 25.5:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 16.3:1, putting BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER higher than the state norm the norm. An estimated 54% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment. By comparison, Swift County runs at roughly 41%, so the school's eligibility rate is somewhat above the surrounding baseline.

In the broader community, census data for Swift County shows median household income runs about $60,412, 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 8%. Across Swift County's 8 public schools (combined enrollment of about 1,767 students), BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is BENSON SECONDARY, roughly 0.0 miles away. 3 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

The school occupies a countryside site.

Trend over the last 7 years. Over the past 7-year window, the student count declined 38%: 21 students in 2018 compared to 13 in 2025. The White share of enrollment fell from 57% to 46% over that span. The student-to-teacher ratio rose from 21.2:1 in 2018 to 25.5:1 today.

In the discussion threads here, members of the BENSON AREA LEARNING CENTER community share and discuss classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.