Best Schools in Benton, Missouri
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
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.
Kelso Elem.
Elementary · Kelso C-7. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Scott Co. Middle
Middle · Scott Co. R-iv. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Thomas W. Kelly High
High · Scott Co. R-iv. 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 Kelso Elem. (8.3/10), Scott Co. Middle (7.0/10), and Thomas W. Kelly High (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$168,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$168,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Benton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelso Elem. | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Scott Co. Middle | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Thomas W. Kelly High | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | St Denis School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Scott Co. Elem. | 5.1 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $62,045
- Median home value
- $168,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
40% 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
Missouri rank
#94 of 258
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Missouri avg (6.3)
Median household income
$62k
94% of Missouri median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Benton, Missouri
Benton, Missouri is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.5 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 Kelso Elem. with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Benton is served by 2 school districts: SCOTT CO. R-IV, KELSO C-7. These districts collectively serve 1,122 students.
Benton's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,045. The poverty rate in the area is 16.8%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 210 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 401 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.1 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Denis School
Private
56 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.6 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 196 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 315 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
Schools in Benton
Benton, Missouri · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$62,045
Median Home Value
$168,600
Median Rent
$877/mo
Population
3,342
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Community Profile
Benton has a median household income of $62,045. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,600, with a median rent of $877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Missouri
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Missouri
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, Missouri
How many schools are in Benton, Missouri?
Benton has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Benton, Missouri?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Benton is 6.5 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, Missouri?
The top-ranked school in Benton on MySchoolScout is Kelso Elem. with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Benton, Missouri?
The top-ranked elementary school in Benton on MySchoolScout is Kelso Elem. with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Benton, Missouri?
The top-ranked middle school in Benton on MySchoolScout is Scott Co. Middle with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Benton, Missouri?
The top-ranked high school in Benton on MySchoolScout is Thomas W. Kelly High with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Benton, Missouri?
Benton is served by 2 school districts: Scott Co. R-iv, Kelso C-7.
What is the education level in Benton, Missouri?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Benton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Benton, Missouri?
The median household income in Benton is approximately $62,045 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Benton, Missouri?
Yes, Benton has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Denis School with a score of 5.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Benton, Missouri?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Benton is 12.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Benton, Missouri?
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, Missouri Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.