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#2435 of 3,813 schools in IL

Benton Grade Sch 5-8

Middle School · Benton CCSD 47

1000 Forrest St, Benton, IL 62812

Enrollment

433

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

5.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Benton

#1 of 3

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#461 of 684

In district

#1 of 2

Benton CCSD 47

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Benton Grade Sch 5-8

Benton Grade Sch 5-8 is a middle school located in the remote town of Benton, Illinois. Serving students from fifth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 433 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, with 34 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.1 out of 10, reflecting its current academic performance in the 21st percentile among Illinois schools.

Students here are working towards improving their proficiency levels in both ELA/Reading and Math; currently, only 20% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards in reading, while 17% do so in math. Despite these challenges, Benton Grade Sch 5-8 remains committed to supporting its learners through dedicated educators who aim to foster a positive learning environment. The school is situated in the heart of a small rural community, offering a tight-knit and supportive atmosphere for both students and families.

With limited neighborhood data available, it's clear that Benton Grade Sch 5-8 plays a crucial role in providing education and community support within this remote setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16%
Reading/ELA Proficiency14%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,322

Benton Grade Sch 5-8 — Students at Benton Grade Sch 5-8 score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 19.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
18%
2022
ELA
14%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Benton Grade Sch 5-8 Compares

See how Benton Grade Sch 5-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in IL
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

1000 Forrest St, Benton, IL 62812

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benton Grade Sch 5-8 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Central Jr High School (rated 6.8/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby West Frankfort), which scores notably higher. Another option is Zeigler-Royalton Jr High School (rated 6.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Mulkeytown), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Washington Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Johnston City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Benton Grade Sch K-4 Benton 0.1 mi 4.3
Benton Cons High School Benton 0.6 mi 5.3
Central Jr High School West Frankfort 5.8 mi 6.8
Frankfort Intermediate School West Frankfort 5.8 mi 6.5
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Frankfort 6.3 mi 6.1
Frankfort Comm High School West Frankfort 6.4 mi 4.2
Denning Elementary School West Frankfort 6.2 mi 5.1
Ewing-Northern Elem School Ewing 7.4 mi 8.2
Akin Comm Cons Elem School Akin 8.4 mi 9.5
Christopher Elem School Christopher 8.5 mi 6.4
Thompsonville Grade School Thompsonville 9.0 mi 6.8
Thompsonville High School Thompsonville 9.0 mi 5.6
Spring Garden Middle School Ina 10.9 mi 4.8
Christopher High Christopher 8.7 mi 5.8
Zeigler-Royalton High School Mulkeytown 9.2 mi 6.1
Zeigler-Royalton Jr High School Mulkeytown 9.2 mi 6.7
Zeigler-Royalton Elem School Mulkeytown 9.2 mi 4.5
Johnston City High School Johnston City 11.3 mi 6.8
Washington Middle School Johnston City 11.6 mi 5.3
Jefferson Elem School Johnston City 11.7 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62812 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,820

Median Home Value

$100,900

Median Rent

$796/mo

Population

11,441

College Educated

19%

Homeownership

71.9%

Avg Commute

24 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

41.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benton Grade Sch 5-8 has a median household income of $54,820. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,900, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Center Street Elem School Fairfield, IL 5.7
Golf Middle School Morton Grove, IL 5.7
Jefferson Middle School Aurora, IL 5.7
Limestone Middle Sch Kankakee, IL 5.7
Bentley Elem School New Lenox, IL 5.8
Beverly Manor Elementary School Washington, IL 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benton Grade Sch 5-8

What grades does Benton Grade Sch 5-8 serve?

Benton Grade Sch 5-8 serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Benton Grade Sch 5-8?

Benton Grade Sch 5-8 has an enrollment of approximately 433 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benton Grade Sch 5-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Benton Grade Sch 5-8 is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benton Grade Sch 5-8 rank in IL?

Benton Grade Sch 5-8 is ranked #2435 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Benton Grade Sch 5-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Benton Grade Sch 5-8 has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Grade Sch 5-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benton Grade Sch 5-8 has 17.0% math proficiency and 19.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Benton Grade Sch 5-8 a charter school?

No, Benton Grade Sch 5-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benton Grade Sch 5-8 a Title I school?

No, Benton Grade Sch 5-8 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benton Grade Sch 5-8?

57.7% of students at Benton Grade Sch 5-8 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 (296/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Franklin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Benton CCSD 47
District Enrollment
1,032
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,057
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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