Skip to main content

Average

#840 of 1,284 schools in KY

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · Marshall County

115 Jim Goheen Drive, Benton, KY 42025

Enrollment

459

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#840 of 1,284

In Benton

#2 of 8

public schools

In district

#3 of 10

Marshall County

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Central Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Central Elementary School

5.6/10

Elementary School in Benton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Marshall County High School

6.1/10

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

Mc Academy

4.1/10

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

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Benton, KY, part of Marshall County. Central Elementary School serves approximately 459 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #840 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Central Elementary 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 Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.26 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,559
Chronic Absenteeism16.1%

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
71%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
71%
ELA
69%
2015
Math
56%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
45%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
50%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
56%
ELA
54%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in KY
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.1%

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

115 Jim Goheen Drive, Benton, KY 42025

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Reidland Intermediate School (rated 8.7/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Paducah), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Livingston Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Smithland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Symsonia Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Symsonia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Marshall County High School Benton 1.0 mi 6.1
MC Academy Benton 1.1 mi 4.1
North Marshall Middle School Calvert City 2.6 mi 6.6
Benton Elementary School Benton 4.8 mi 5.5
Purchase Youth Village Benton 4.7 mi
Calvert City Elementary School Calvert City 6.9 mi 5.6
South Marshall Middle Benton 7.4 mi 5.6
South Marshall Elementary School Benton 9.1 mi 5.1
Sharpe Elementary School Benton 7.8 mi 5.5
Jonathan Elementary School Benton 8.6 mi 5.5
South Livingston Elementary School Smithland 11.1 mi 8.4
NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hardin 11.5 mi 6.2
Symsonia Elementary School Symsonia 10.0 mi 7.9
Reidland Elementary School Paducah 12.2 mi 7.2
Livingston Central High School Smithland 14.6 mi 7.7
Reidland Middle School Paducah 12.5 mi 7.6
Reidland Intermediate School Paducah 12.5 mi 8.7
North Calloway Elementary School Murray 19.0 mi 7.8
Paducah Head Start Preschool Paducah 17.1 mi 6.1
Choices Educational Center Paducah 17.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 42025 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,919

Median Home Value

$172,800

Median Rent

$782/mo

Population

19,238

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

84.6%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.2%

Median Age

48

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Calvert City Elementary School Calvert City, KY 5.6
Emma B. Ward Elementary School Lawrenceburg, KY 5.6
Munfordville Elementary School Munfordville, KY 5.6
North Jackson Elementary Glasgow, KY 5.6
Potter Gray Elementary Bowling Green, KY 5.6
Sixth District Elementary School Covington, KY 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 459 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in KY?

Central Elementary School ranks #840 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Central Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Central Elementary School a charter school?

No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?

54.9% of students at Central Elementary 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
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Marshall County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.1%

District

Marshall County
District Enrollment
4,394
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,559
District Rank
#3 of 10

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 rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.