C+
Average
69/100

Thomas Hart Benton Elem.

📚 Pre-K – 05 🏫 Elementary
📍 429 S LESLIE, Independence, MO 64050
Overall
C+
69/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
C+
1.0 grade levels below the U.S. average · 42nd percentile in Missouri
Growth
B
Students gain 1.30 grade levels a year (U.S. average 1.0) · 62nd percentile
Resources
B+
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Missouri schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

69
Repit Score
out of 100
397
Students
enrolled
15.5:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$16K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)40%42/1001.0 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
📈 Growth (how fast students learn)45%62/100Students gain 1.30 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 0.78 in 2009–19; 86th percentile in Missouri (recent period weighted 70%)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)15%82/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 45% students directly certified for free meals (their families receive SNAP or similar aid). Compared with Missouri schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are +18 points better than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Missouri. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency46% (−1 pts vs. state avg 47%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency31% (−9 pts vs. state avg 40%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Missouri state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White52%37%reading -5 pts, math -16 pts25th percentile (list)
Black30%30%reading +4 pts, math +9 pts62nd percentile (list)
Hispanic35%25%reading -3 pts, math -11 pts22nd percentile (list)
Multiracial45%15%reading -2 pts, math -26 pts13th percentile (list)
Low-income42%32%reading +5 pts, math -1 pts54th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 429 S LESLIE
City Independence
ZIP Code 64050
District 2915480
NCES School ID 291548000707
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 64050

Understanding the community around Thomas Hart Benton Elem. helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $43,208
Per Capita Income $28,966
Poverty Rate 12.1%
Households Earning $100K+ 15.5%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 12.8%
High School or Higher 89.0%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $128,700
Median Rent $867
Owner-Occupied 48.6%
Renter-Occupied 51.4%
View full data for ZIP 64050 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 64050 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 64050 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Thomas Hart Benton Elem..

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 48.1%
Hispanic/Latino 22.7%
Black 19.9%
Two or More Races 9.1%
Asian 0.3%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 397
Teachers (FTE) 25.6
Student:Teacher Ratio 15.5:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Thomas Hart Benton Elem.?
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. has a Repit School Score of 69 out of 100, earning a grade of C+. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Thomas Hart Benton Elem.?
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. has 397 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.5:1.
What grades does Thomas Hart Benton Elem. serve?
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. serves grades Pre-K – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does Thomas Hart Benton Elem. receive per student?
Thomas Hart Benton Elem. receives $16,029 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Thomas Hart Benton Elem. in 64050 ▼
Avg Home Value
$180,087
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,229
1-Year Change
+9.2%
% Renters
51.4%

Other Schools in 64050

View all schools and real estate data for 64050 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026