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#954 of 1,284 schools in KY

South Marshall Elementary School

Elementary School · Marshall County

155 Sid Darnall Road, Benton, KY 42025

Enrollment

264

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#954 of 1,284

In Benton

#7 of 8

public schools

In district

#9 of 10

Marshall County

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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South Marshall Elementary School

5.1/10

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

South Marshall Middle

5.6/10

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

New Covenant Christian Academy

6.2/10

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

About South Marshall Elementary School

South Marshall Elementary School is a public elementary school in Benton, KY, part of Marshall County. South Marshall Elementary School serves approximately 264 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. South Marshall Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #954 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for South Marshall Elementary School show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

South Marshall 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 Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.7% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.7% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency43% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,559
Chronic Absenteeism16.7%

South Marshall Elementary School — Students at South Marshall Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 35 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
77%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
44.7%
ELA
41.7%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How South Marshall Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
26th percentile in KY
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

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

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 8.7/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Murray), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Calloway Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Murray), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Calloway Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Murray), which scores notably higher. 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 5.6
NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hardin 3.0 mi 6.2
Benton Elementary School Benton 4.5 mi 5.5
Purchase Youth Village Benton 5.1 mi
MC Academy Benton 8.1 mi 4.1
Marshall County High School Benton 8.1 mi 6.1
Jonathan Elementary School Benton 7.1 mi 5.5
Central Elementary School Benton 9.1 mi 5.6
North Calloway Elementary School Murray 9.9 mi 7.8
North Marshall Middle School Calvert City 11.4 mi 6.6
Calloway County Preschool Center Murray 12.2 mi 4.1
Calloway County Middle School Murray 12.2 mi 7.6
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 5.4
Murray Middle School Murray 12.9 mi 9.0
Murray Elementary School Murray 13.0 mi 8.7
Murray Preschool Head Start Murray 13.0 mi 6.2
Murray High School Murray 13.4 mi 8.4
East Calloway Elementary School Murray 12.9 mi 7.4

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
Clearfield Elementary School Clearfield, KY 5.1
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Burlington, KY 5.1
Memorial Education Center Somerset, KY 5.1
Ninth District Elementary Covington, KY 5.1
The New Haven School New Haven, KY 5.1
Bowen Elementary School Stanton, KY 5.0

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 ranks #954 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is South Marshall Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Marshall Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 South Marshall Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Marshall Elementary School has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

District

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

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