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| Metric | Benson Unified School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,376 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 5 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,800/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benson Unified School District (this district) | 7/10 | 60th | 1,376 |
| Douglas Unified District | 3/10 | 26th | 3,852 |
| Valley Union High School District | 1/10 | 9th | 106 |
| Patagonia Union High School District | 4/10 | 39th | 79 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 492 rated districts in AZ → 60th percentile → 7/10.
Source: Arizona Dept. of Education AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments, Percent Passing, 2025. Full methodology →
About Benson Unified School District
Zip code 85609 in Benson, Arizona is served by Benson Unified School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Benson Unified School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Public school districts in Arizona spend approximately $10,800 per student per year on average (state-level estimate; district-level figures vary), below the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 5 schools serving approximately 1,376 students across grades Pre-K – 12th, Benson Unified School District is a small district. Contact Benson Unified School District to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Benson Unified School District 8 out of 10 — above average among Arizona public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Arizona’s AASA/ACT/MSAA combined assessments (2025 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Arizona is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Benson Unified School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Arizona. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 85609
Children in zip code 85609 are assigned to Benson Unified School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 85609, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Benson Unified School District at (320)843-2710 or visit www.benson.k12.mn.us/. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Arizona districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Benson
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Benson Unified School District serves zip code 85609, homes in and around zip code 85609 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Arizona, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Benson Unified School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 85609.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Benson Unified School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 85609 data.