Below Average
#1964 of 2,216 schools in MO
Benton High
High School · ST. JOSEPH
5655 S FOURTH, St. Joseph, MO 64504
Enrollment
702
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
702
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In St. Joseph
#19 of 20
public schools
Missouri high schools
#478 of 532
In district
#19 of 20
ST. JOSEPH
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Benton High
Benton High is a regular public high school located in the small city of St. Joseph, Missouri, in Buchanan County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 702 students.
With a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, Benton High provides personalized attention to its diverse group of learners. The academic performance at Benton High shows room for improvement, as indicated by their MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1688 out of 2234 schools in Missouri. In terms of standardized test scores, only 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 17% meet proficiency standards in Math.
Despite the current challenges, Benton High continues to focus on student development and strives to provide a supportive environment for all its students. The setting of St. Joseph offers a close-knit community where students can engage in various extracurricular activities and build meaningful connections with their peers and teachers.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Benton High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Benton High — Students at Benton High score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
36.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO 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: 8.5/10.
How Benton High Compares
See how Benton High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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. LAFAYETTE HIGH (rated 5.2/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CENTRAL HIGH (rated 4.0/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.7 |
| ST JAMES SCHOOL St. Joseph | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| HOSEA ELEM. St. Joseph | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| SPRING GARDEN MIDDLE St. Joseph | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| SOUTH PARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY St. Joseph | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| CARDEN PARK ELEM St. Joseph | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| HELEN M DAVIS SCHOOL St. Joseph | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| PARKWAY ELEM. St. Joseph | 3.1 mi | 6.1 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL St. Joseph | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Riverside Primary School Elwood | 3.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Riverside Intermediate Elwood | 3.3 mi | 8.3 |
| OF ST. JOSEPH St. Joseph | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| CENTRAL HIGH St. Joseph | 3.7 mi | 4.0 |
| EDISON ELEM. St. Joseph | 4.0 mi | 7.5 |
| TRUMAN MIDDLE St. Joseph | 3.8 mi | 6.8 |
| PICKETT ELEM. St. Joseph | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| BODE MIDDLE St. Joseph | 4.4 mi | 4.8 |
| LAFAYETTE HIGH St. Joseph | 4.7 mi | 5.2 |
| SKAITH ELEM. St. Joseph | 4.2 mi | 7.6 |
| LINDBERGH ELEM. St. Joseph | 5.2 mi | 5.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Benton High has a median household income of $55,300. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,100, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| JENNINGS HIGH Jennings, MO | 4.5 |
| MILLER CAREER ACADEMY St. Louis, MO | 4.5 |
| ROOSEVELT HIGH St. Louis, MO | 4.5 |
| MONETT HIGH Monett, MO | 4.6 |
| PERRYVILLE SR. HIGH Perryville, MO | 4.4 |
| ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL Kansas City, MO | 4.6 |
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 is ranked #1964 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Benton High's MySchoolScout rating?
Benton High has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Benton High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benton High has 17.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,597/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (St. Joseph). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (816) 671-4030
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ST. JOSEPH- District Enrollment
- 10,477
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,067
- District Rank
- #19 of 20
Other Schools in This District
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.