Very Good
#180 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 14% in state
South Marshall Elementary School
Elementary School · Marshall County
155 Sid Darnall Road, Benton, KY 42025
Enrollment
264
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
264
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benton
#2 of 8
public schools
Kentucky elementary schools
#128 of 708
In district
#3 of 10
Marshall County
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About South Marshall Elementary School
South Marshall Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural area near Benton, Kentucky. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, South Marshall has an enrollment of 264 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting in a rural community offers a close-knit atmosphere where the entire town feels connected to the school.
Academically, South Marshall Elementary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks at #650 among Kentucky’s 1288 schools. The academic score is 4.8/10, indicating there is room for improvement in student performance. In reading and ELA, 37% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate stands at 32%.
These scores suggest a focus on enhancing educational outcomes through targeted support and development. South Marshall Elementary School’s rural setting provides a peaceful environment where the school is an integral part of the community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Marshall Elementary 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
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South Marshall Elementary School — Students at South Marshall Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.3/10.
How South Marshall Elementary School Compares
See how South Marshall Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
155 Sid Darnall Road, Benton, KY 42025
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Marshall Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Murray Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Murray), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Calloway Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Murray), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 9.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Marshall Middle Benton | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hardin | 3.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Benton Elementary School Benton | 4.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Purchase Youth Village Benton | 5.1 mi | — |
| MC Academy Benton | 8.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Marshall County High School Benton | 8.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Jonathan Elementary School Benton | 7.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Central Elementary School Benton | 9.1 mi | 8.1 |
| North Calloway Elementary School Murray | 9.9 mi | 7.7 |
| North Marshall Middle School Calvert City | 11.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Calloway County Preschool Center Murray | 12.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Calloway County Middle School Murray | 12.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Calloway County High School Murray | 12.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Calloway County Day Treatment Murray | 12.4 mi | — |
| Calloway County Alternative Program Murray | 12.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Murray Middle School Murray | 12.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Murray Elementary School Murray | 13.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Murray Preschool Head Start Murray | 13.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Murray High School Murray | 13.4 mi | 7.0 |
| East Calloway Elementary School Murray | 12.9 mi | 8.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Marshall Elementary School has a median household income of $66,919. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $172,800, with a median rent of $782/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Calvert City Elementary School Calvert City, KY | 7.8 |
| Camp Ground Elementary School London, KY | 7.8 |
| Garrison Elementary School Garrison, KY | 7.8 |
| John M. Stumbo Elementary School Grethel, KY | 7.8 |
| MARY QUEEN OF THE HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL Lexington, KY | 7.8 |
| Morganfield Elementary School Morganfield, KY | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Marshall Elementary School
What grades does South Marshall Elementary School serve?
South Marshall Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Marshall Elementary School?
South Marshall Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 264 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Marshall Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Marshall Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Marshall Elementary School rank in KY?
South Marshall Elementary School is ranked #180 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is South Marshall Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Marshall Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 South Marshall Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Marshall Elementary School has 32.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Marshall Elementary School a charter school?
No, South Marshall Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Marshall Elementary School a Title I school?
No, South Marshall Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Marshall Elementary School?
78.0% of students at South Marshall 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Benton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 264
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Marshall County
- Phone
- (270) 527-1581
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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.
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