Best Schools in Benton, Kentucky
9 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Benton?
Use this page to compare every school in Benton by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Marshall County High School
High · Marshall County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Central Elementary School
Elementary · Marshall County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
South Marshall Middle
Middle · Marshall County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Benton for 2026 are Marshall County High School (6.1/10), Central Elementary School (5.6/10), and South Marshall Middle (5.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
9
in this city
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$172,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
in this city
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$172,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Benton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marshall County High School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Central Elementary School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 3 | South Marshall Middle | 5.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Benton Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Jonathan Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Sharpe Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | South Marshall Elementary School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Mc Academy | 4.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $66,919
- Median home value
- $172,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 85%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Benton compares
Kentucky rank
#114 of 137
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Kentucky avg (6.2)
Median household income
$67k
113% of Kentucky median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Benton, Kentucky
Benton, Kentucky is home to 9 schools, including 9 public schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Benton show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Benton is Marshall County High School with a composite score of 6.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Benton is served by 1 school district: Marshall County. These districts collectively serve 4,394 students.
Benton's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $66,919. The poverty rate in the area is 13.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 459 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.6 |
| 2 | 536 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 |
| 3 | 244 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 |
| 4 | 311 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 |
| 5 | 264 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 457 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,216 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 95 students · 6th–12th | 4.1 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 students · 1st–12th | — |
Schools in Benton
Benton, Kentucky · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$66,919
Median Home Value
$172,800
Median Rent
$782/mo
Population
19,238
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
85%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Community Profile
Benton has a median household income of $66,919. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $172,800, with a median rent of $782/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Kentucky
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Kentucky
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Benton, Kentucky
How many schools are in Benton, Kentucky?
Benton has 9 schools, including 9 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Benton, Kentucky?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Benton is 5.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Benton, Kentucky?
The top-ranked school in Benton on MySchoolScout is Marshall County High School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Benton, Kentucky?
The top-ranked elementary school in Benton on MySchoolScout is Central Elementary School with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Benton, Kentucky?
The top-ranked middle school in Benton on MySchoolScout is South Marshall Middle with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best high school in Benton, Kentucky?
The top-ranked high school in Benton on MySchoolScout is Marshall County High School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Benton, Kentucky?
Benton is served by 1 school district: Marshall County.
What is the education level in Benton, Kentucky?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Benton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Benton, Kentucky?
The median household income in Benton is approximately $66,919 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Benton, Kentucky?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Benton is 18.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Benton, Kentucky?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Kentucky Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.