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Average

#548 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 43% in state

Benton Community Middle School

Middle School · Benton Comm School District

PO BOX 70 600 1st St, Van Horne, IA 52346

Enrollment

212

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

6.8

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#548 of 1,280

In Van Horne

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 5

Benton Comm School District

Academic growth

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Benton Community Middle School

6.8/10

Middle School in Van Horne · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Benton Community Senior High School

5.4/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Keystone Elementary School

4.9/10

5.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Benton Community Middle School

Benton Community Middle School is a public middle school in Van Horne, IA, part of Benton Comm School District. Benton Community Middle School serves approximately 212 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Benton Community Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #548 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Benton Community Middle School show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Benton Community Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.4% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.6 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)85% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,044
Chronic Absenteeism3.3%

Benton Community Middle School — Students at Benton Community Middle School score 79% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 76.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
78.4% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 33 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
77%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
81%
ELA
83%
2015
Math
84%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
86%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
83%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
70%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
70%
2020*
Math
61%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
61%
ELA
76%
2022
Math
60%
ELA
80%
2025
Math
74.5%
ELA
83.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Benton Community Middle School Compares

See how Benton Community Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
57th percentile in IA
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
3.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 70 600 1st St, Van Horne, IA 52346

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benton Community Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Union Middle School (rated 8.6/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Dysart), which scores notably higher. Another option is Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Vinton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Norway Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Norway), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Van Horne, see our Van Horne schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Benton Community Senior High School Van Horne 0.0 mi 5.4
Keystone Elementary School Keystone 5.8 mi 4.9
Vinton-Shellsburg High School Vinton 10.0 mi 7.5
Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School Vinton 10.4 mi 8.0
Tilford Elementary School Vinton 10.6 mi 7.9
Norway Elementary School Norway 11.1 mi 6.6
Iowa Valley Elementary School Marengo 14.6 mi 6.9
Iowa Valley Jr-Sr High School Marengo 14.8 mi 6.7
Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School Belle Plaine 12.6 mi 6.6
Atkins Elementary School Atkins 11.4 mi 6.7
Longfellow Elementary School Belle Plaine 12.9 mi 7.1
Shellsburg Elementary School Shellsburg 12.4 mi 9.1
Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart 15.8 mi 9.2
Union Middle School Dysart 15.9 mi 8.6
Amana Elementary School Middle Amana 17.8 mi 7.6
Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School Center Point 18.3 mi 7.5
La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City 21.1 mi 9.4
Union High School La Porte City 21.6 mi 6.9
West Willow Elementary School Cedar Rapids 17.4 mi 3.9
Center Point-Urbana High School Center Point 19.4 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52346 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,802

Median Home Value

$245,600

Median Rent

$917/mo

Population

1,070

College Educated

33.3%

Homeownership

87.5%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

39.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Clayton Ridge Middle School Guttenberg, IA 6.8
Rock Valley Middle School Rock Valley, IA 6.8
Camanche Middle School Camanche, IA 6.7
Osage Middle School Osage, IA 6.7
Remsen-Union Middle School Remsen, IA 6.9
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School Clarion, IA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benton Community Middle School

What grades does Benton Community Middle School serve?

Benton Community Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Benton Community Middle School?

Benton Community Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 212 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benton Community Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Benton Community Middle School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benton Community Middle School rank in IA?

Benton Community Middle School ranks #548 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Benton Community Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benton Community Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Benton Community Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benton Community Middle School has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Benton Community Middle School a charter school?

No, Benton Community Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benton Community Middle School a Title I school?

No, Benton Community Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benton Community Middle School?

17.5% of students at Benton Community Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
212
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Benton County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
3.3%

District

Benton Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,640
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,044
District Rank
#1 of 5

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