Average
#990 of 1,284 schools in KY
South Marshall Middle
Middle School · Marshall County
2211 US 641 South, Benton, KY 42025
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benton
#5 of 8
public schools
Kentucky middle schools
#160 of 216
In district
#7 of 10
Marshall County
About South Marshall Middle
South Marshall Middle is a regular public middle school located in Benton, Kentucky, within the rural setting of Marshall County. The school serves students in grades 6 through 8, with an enrollment of 457 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, South Marshall Middle aims to provide a supportive learning environment.
According to the MySchoolScout rating system, South Marshall Middle has a score of 3.9 out of 10 and is ranked 16th percentile among Kentucky schools, with an academic performance score of 4.3/10. The ELA proficiency rate stands at 45%, while in math, 30% of students are proficient or above. These scores indicate areas where the school has room for improvement but also highlight its commitment to student development and growth.
South Marshall Middle is situated near a town in a rural area, providing a close-knit community feel with easy access to local amenities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Marshall Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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South Marshall Middle — Students at South Marshall Middle score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.0/10.
How South Marshall Middle Compares
See how South Marshall Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 31% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 38% (2022).
Location
2211 US 641 South, Benton, KY 42025
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Marshall Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Murray Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Murray), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Marshall Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Calvert City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Calloway County Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Murray), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Benton Elementary School Benton | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| South Marshall Elementary School Benton | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Purchase Youth Village Benton | 2.9 mi | — |
| NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hardin | 5.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Marshall County High School Benton | 6.6 mi | 4.9 |
| MC Academy Benton | 6.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Central Elementary School Benton | 7.4 mi | 8.1 |
| North Marshall Middle School Calvert City | 9.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Jonathan Elementary School Benton | 8.2 mi | 5.9 |
| North Calloway Elementary School Murray | 11.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Symsonia Elementary School Symsonia | 10.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Sharpe Elementary School Benton | 12.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Calloway County Middle School Murray | 14.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Calloway County Preschool Center Murray | 14.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Calloway County High School Murray | 14.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Calvert City Elementary School Calvert City | 14.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Calloway County Day Treatment Murray | 14.3 mi | — |
| Calloway County Alternative Program Murray | 14.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Murray Elementary School Murray | 14.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Murray Middle School Murray | 14.9 mi | 7.7 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Bluegrass Middle School Elizabethtown, KY | 5.2 |
| Butler County Middle School Morgantown, KY | 5.2 |
| Harrison County Middle School Cynthiana, KY | 5.2 |
| Muhlenberg South Middle School Greenville, KY | 5.2 |
| Green County Middle School Greensburg, KY | 5.3 |
| James T Alton Middle School Vine Grove, KY | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Marshall Middle
What grades does South Marshall Middle serve?
South Marshall Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Marshall Middle?
South Marshall Middle has an enrollment of approximately 457 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Marshall Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South Marshall Middle is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Marshall Middle rank in KY?
South Marshall Middle is ranked #990 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is South Marshall Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
South Marshall Middle has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Marshall Middle has 29.7% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Marshall Middle a charter school?
No, South Marshall Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Marshall Middle a Title I school?
No, South Marshall Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Marshall Middle?
63.0% of students at South Marshall Middle 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,427/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Benton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 457
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Marshall County
- Phone
- (270) 527-3828
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Marshall County- District Enrollment
- 4,394
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,559
- District Rank
- #7 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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