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Average

#1053 of 1,280 schools in IA

Benton Community Senior High School

High School · Benton Comm School District

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

Enrollment

490

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Van Horne

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#263 of 334

In district

#5 of 5

Benton Comm School District

About Benton Community Senior High School

Benton Community Senior High School is a regular public high school located in Van Horne, Iowa, in the heart of Benton County. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 490 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1. With 27 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school offers a supportive learning environment that encourages academic growth and personal development.

Academically, Benton Community Senior High School ranks in the lower half of Iowa’s high schools, placing it at #1056 out of 1288 schools overall. Students generally perform well above average in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading with 77% scoring proficient or better, while math proficiency stands at 64%, and science proficiency is at 68%. These scores suggest the school has areas for improvement but also highlights strengths that it can build upon.

The school’s setting in a rural area provides students with a close-knit community environment. Despite its smaller size and more modest academic ranking, Benton Community Senior High School aims to provide a nurturing atmosphere where each student receives individualized attention.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Benton Community Senior High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)78%
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,010

Benton Community Senior High School — Students at Benton Community Senior High School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.2%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 76.8%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
62.7%
ELA
76.3%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Benton Community Senior High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
18th percentile in IA
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

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

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benton Community Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Vinton-Shellsburg High School (rated 7.8/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Vinton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School (rated 6.1/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Belle Plaine), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union High School (rated 6.1/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby La Porte City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Van Horne, see our Van Horne schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Benton Community Middle School Van Horne 0.0 mi 6.0
Keystone Elementary School Keystone 5.8 mi 6.8
Vinton-Shellsburg High School Vinton 10.0 mi 7.8
Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School Vinton 10.4 mi 6.4
Tilford Elementary School Vinton 10.6 mi 6.0
Norway Elementary School Norway 11.1 mi 6.6
Iowa Valley Elementary School Marengo 14.6 mi 6.1
Iowa Valley Jr-Sr High School Marengo 14.8 mi 5.2
Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School Belle Plaine 12.6 mi 6.1
Atkins Elementary School Atkins 11.4 mi 7.2
Longfellow Elementary School Belle Plaine 12.9 mi 4.8
Shellsburg Elementary School Shellsburg 12.4 mi 6.8
Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart 15.8 mi 7.8
Union Middle School Dysart 15.9 mi 8.4
Amana Elementary School Middle Amana 17.8 mi 7.8
Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School Center Point 18.3 mi 6.1
La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City 21.1 mi 6.4
Union High School La Porte City 21.6 mi 6.1
West Willow Elementary School Cedar Rapids 17.4 mi 4.2
Center Point-Urbana High School Center Point 19.4 mi 3.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benton Community Senior High School has a median household income of $107,802. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,600, with a median rent of $917/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Logan-Magnolia Jr-Sr High School Logan, IA 5.0
Solon High School Solon, IA 5.0
Davis County Community High School Bloomfield, IA 5.1
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Jr/Sr High Eddyville, IA 4.9
Keokuk High School Keokuk, IA 4.9
Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/High School Manson, IA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benton Community Senior High School

What grades does Benton Community Senior High School serve?

Benton Community Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Benton Community Senior High School?

Benton Community Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 490 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Benton Community Senior High School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benton Community Senior High School rank in IA?

Benton Community Senior High School is ranked #1053 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Benton Community Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benton Community Senior High School has a composite rating of 5.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Benton Community Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benton Community Senior High School has 64.2% math proficiency and 76.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benton Community Senior High School a charter school?

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

Is Benton Community Senior High School a Title I school?

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

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

23.1% of students at Benton Community Senior High 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

County Safety
Average (366/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Benton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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