Benfield Elementary School

365 Lynwood Drive

School District

Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

School Map for Anne Arundel County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 24, 2024

Benfield Elementary School is the second elementary school we have experienced and by far exceeded our previous experience with the other school that only serviced one neighborhood (think goldfish bowl). Benfield offers diversity, longtime and happy teachers, a principal who truly cares, staff that go above and beyond and a loving, positive and nurturing environment where kids can grow. Parent involvement is high but not overbearing. Students want to learn and are afforded the opportunity for kids to be kids. We were thrilled with the Benfield experience!
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2023

I have a first grader and kindergartener. I have been nothing short of impressed. Lots of learning, the teachers really seem to care, lots is extra activities, my kids are excited to go to school every day. Couldn’t be happier.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2018

We have been extremely happy with this school. The level of education and educator involvement has met and exceeded our expectations. The school renovations are beautiful and the PTA does a tremendous job of fundraising in manners that allow families to contribute, but not be overburdened with constant forms, selling of anything, and family and friend solicitation. There will always be parents who are unhappy and not every school is a great fit for every child, but we are happy here. Teacher to student ratio for the first 3 years for both of our children was exceptional with both being in classes of 14 students. In fourth grade the class size increased to around 22, but we do not feel that quality has been impacted by the increase. Beginning in 3rd grade children are taught in math and reading ability levels and rotate among the grade level teachers with their ability level peers and are intermixed again for all other subjects. Our household makes less than $100,000 a year with two working parents. I have never felt judged over my ability to contribute to the PTA or other fundraisers in comparison to higher earning households. There is some level of snobbery in the community, but in my opinion that comes in any high performing school area. There is no requirement to socialize with or pander to those people, that method has worked well for us so far. We enjoy the school community and the vast majority of the people in it.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2017

If you believe tracking your kids starting in kindergarten seems like the right thing to do then go with Benfield. The school is in lockdown mode. It is absolutely inaccessible to taxpaying parents.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2015

What an amazing place! The education here is beyond amazing! What great teachers, and an exceptional principal!
Submitted by other on January 21, 2013

Benfield finally has a Principal that can lead this school. Some of the teachers still think they are "God's gift" to the education system as stated in a previous review, but the new Principal seems to have a plan to address the mess that she's inherited. There are actually rules and goals. MSA preparation didn't start the first week of school and has been as heavily emphasized as in the past. The facility is old, but it is scheduled to be replaced. Though your Kindergarten may be the only current student to benefit from the replacement at the rate things are going. The neighborhood remains nice and the community continues to support the school. Parent involvement remains strong.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2012

We just moved the neighborhood. We came from a great school. The kids like this school even better. The school is dated, but they are going to starting a multi-year replacement soon. The teachers we are dealing with are top notch. There is a new principal this year. She has been wonderful to us. She appears to be a very strong leader.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2012

Many of the teachers think they are God's gift to the education system. The Principal is thankfully leaving--she ALWAYS took the side of the teachers, regardless of evidence. There are more parents involved in the school than there are kids, which is great. Parental involvement and expectations (and smart kids) = good results. Some teachers think it's because of their teaching skills--hardly! Some teachers coast, and some don't want to help kids that need extra attention. If a kid can't keep up, they will need outside help, because they sure won't get it at Benfield.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2012

The teachers and surrounding community are excellent. The school is badly in need of renovation, but that supposedly is coming down the pipeline in the next few years. I sent both my sons through Benfield, and my youngest will be a 5th grader there. I have no complains, other than what I previously stated about the outdated facility. Anyway, they are getting a new principal for 2012-2013 school year as the long time principal retired. It could be a good thing as I think the outgoing principal was fine I suppose, but seemed to be sleepwalking through her time at Benfield. My oldest has gone on to excel at SPMS and now SRHS STEM program. I am confident my current Benfield student is being well prepared as well.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2012

This school is in decline. The Principal is the major contributor to the decline of the school. She is unable to address issues that are outside of the box. There is too much yelling inside the schools. Bullying is not handled properly. There are some excellant teachers that appear stuck inside a bad situation. Teaching to the MSAs is part of the curriculum. Large class sizes and a poor facility also contribute to an increasingly poor school environment. Parent involvement is still good but declining as more mothers are working.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2012

My previous review was removed? This is a mediocre school, they focus 90%+ on MSA tests. The school is old and decrepit, class sizes are humongous approaching 30 students per class. Watch Stossel on you tube, this school is a prime example of the BLOB. I removed one of my children and enrolled in private school, SP is way over rated for public schools. AA county has a low tax base, therefore no $$s for education. They have one bus system for ALL three school levels!
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2010

Moved to area Summer 2010, and my child is now attending first grade at Benfield Elem. Staff make it clear they teach students to take tests. School's state test results are sometimes 100% in all categories in multiple grades? My child is having a difficult time learning math and responses for help have been answered with red ink on course work. Course work sent home has been observed with dates as far back as 2001 and everywhere in between. Language on course work is inconsistent adding confusion of child to grasp concepts. The school was built around 1961. My first grader is sharing a class with 25 students. There are two other 1st grade teachers with class size of 24 students. This seems to be an average class size among all grades. We are now in search of a private tutor to augment our child s learning despite attendance at Benfield.