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Average

#842 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

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#842 of 1,284

In Benton

#3 of 8

public schools

In district

#5 of 10

Marshall County

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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South Marshall Middle

5.6/10

Middle School in Benton · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Benton Elementary School

5.5/10

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

South Marshall Elementary School

5.1/10

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

About South Marshall Middle

South Marshall Middle is a public middle school in Benton, KY, part of Marshall County. South Marshall Middle serves approximately 457 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. South Marshall Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #842 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for South Marshall Middle show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • KY avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

South Marshall Middle 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 Progress4.1Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change-1.8 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.7% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.7% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency41% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,559
Chronic Absenteeism19.3%

South Marshall Middle — Students at South Marshall Middle score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.6% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.6% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 22 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2016
Math
43%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
64%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
38%
2025
Math
39.7%
ELA
42.7%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How South Marshall Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in KY
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.3%

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

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 9.0/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Murray), which scores notably higher. Another option is Calloway County Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Murray), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Marshall Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Calvert City), 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 5.5
South Marshall Elementary School Benton 2.5 mi 5.1
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 6.1
MC Academy Benton 6.6 mi 4.1
Central Elementary School Benton 7.4 mi 5.6
North Marshall Middle School Calvert City 9.5 mi 6.6
Jonathan Elementary School Benton 8.2 mi 5.5
North Calloway Elementary School Murray 11.9 mi 7.8
Symsonia Elementary School Symsonia 10.7 mi 7.9
Sharpe Elementary School Benton 12.0 mi 5.5
Calloway County Middle School Murray 14.0 mi 7.6
Calloway County Preschool Center Murray 14.0 mi 4.1
Calloway County High School Murray 14.1 mi 6.0
Calvert City Elementary School Calvert City 14.2 mi 5.6
Calloway County Day Treatment Murray 14.3 mi
Calloway County Alternative Program Murray 14.3 mi 5.4
Murray Elementary School Murray 14.9 mi 8.7
Murray Middle School Murray 14.9 mi 9.0

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
Boyd County Middle School Ashland, KY 5.6
Estill County Middle School Irvine, KY 5.6
Hebron Middle School Shepherdsville, KY 5.6
Muhlenberg South Middle School Greenville, KY 5.6
Webster County Middle School Dixon, KY 5.6
Bloomfield Middle School Bloomfield, KY 5.5

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 ranks #842 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is South Marshall Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

South Marshall Middle 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 South Marshall Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Marshall Middle has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.3%

District

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

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