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Needs Improvement

#2074 of 2,221 schools in MO

Benton High

High School · ST. JOSEPH

5655 S FOURTH, St. Joseph, MO 64504

Enrollment

702

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

3.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#2,074 of 2,221

In St. Joseph

#19 of 22

public schools

In district

#18 of 20

ST. JOSEPH

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Benton High

3.8/10

High School in St. Joseph · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hyde Elem.

3.9/10

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

St James School

7.0/10

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

About Benton High

Benton High is a public high school in St. Joseph, MO, part of ST. JOSEPH.

Benton High serves approximately 702 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Benton High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,074 of 2,221 schools in MO. Structured state assessment records for Benton High show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.9
  • MO avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.8% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-32.6 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected-25.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate77%
AP Participation5.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,067
Chronic Absenteeism27.9%

Benton High — Students at Benton High score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

36.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.4% (2025 MAP)
ELA Proficiency 51.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
22%
ELA
53%
2010
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
17%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
65%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
64.5%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2025
Math
15.8%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Benton High Compares

See how Benton High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
7th percentile in MO
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.3
Sports
19
10 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
37%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
5.1% participation·State avg: 2.3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
10 boys'·9 girls'·31 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5655 S FOURTH, St. Joseph, MO 64504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benton High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CENTRAL HIGH (rated 5.7/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAFAYETTE HIGH (rated 5.1/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in St. Joseph, see our St. Joseph schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
HYDE ELEM. St. Joseph 0.1 mi 3.9
ST JAMES SCHOOL St. Joseph 0.5 mi 7.0
HOSEA ELEM. St. Joseph 0.7 mi 6.6
SPRING GARDEN MIDDLE St. Joseph 1.1 mi 6.4
SOUTH PARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY St. Joseph 1.4 mi 6.8
CARDEN PARK ELEM St. Joseph 2.5 mi 7.2
HELEN M DAVIS SCHOOL St. Joseph 2.9 mi 3.5
PARKWAY ELEM. St. Joseph 3.1 mi 6.3
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL St. Joseph 3.2 mi 6.6
Riverside Primary School Elwood 3.3 mi 8.9
Riverside Intermediate Elwood 3.3 mi 7.8
OF ST. JOSEPH St. Joseph 3.9 mi 7.2
CENTRAL HIGH St. Joseph 3.7 mi 5.7
EDISON ELEM. St. Joseph 4.0 mi 8.6
TRUMAN MIDDLE St. Joseph 3.8 mi 3.1
PICKETT ELEM. St. Joseph 3.5 mi 6.8
BODE MIDDLE St. Joseph 4.4 mi 4.0
LAFAYETTE HIGH St. Joseph 4.7 mi 5.1
SKAITH ELEM. St. Joseph 4.2 mi 7.2
LINDBERGH ELEM. St. Joseph 5.2 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,300

Median Home Value

$115,100

Median Rent

$918/mo

Population

10,286

College Educated

13.3%

Homeownership

70.6%

Avg Commute

17.4 min

Poverty Rate

22.4%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
NEVADA HIGH Nevada, MO 3.8
NORMANDY HIGH St. Louis, MO 3.8
NORTHEAST HIGH Kansas City, MO 3.8
CENTER SR. HIGH Kansas City, MO 3.7
HARRISONVILLE HIGH Harrisonville, MO 3.7
RICHMOND HIGH Richmond, MO 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benton High

What grades does Benton High serve?

Benton High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Benton High?

Benton High has an enrollment of approximately 702 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benton High?

The student-teacher ratio at Benton High is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benton High rank in MO?

Benton High ranks #2,074 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Benton High's MySchoolScout rating?

Benton High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Benton High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benton High has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Benton High a charter school?

No, Benton High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benton High a Title I school?

No, Benton High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benton High?

36.9% of students at Benton High 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
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
702
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
36.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Buchanan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.9%
4-Year Graduation
77.0%

District

ST. JOSEPH
District Enrollment
10,477
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,067
District Rank
#18 of 20

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