Excellent
#208 of 2,221 schools in MO
Top 9% in state
Kelso Elem.
Elementary School · KELSO C-7
820 STATE HWY A, Benton, MO 63736
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Missouri schools
#208 of 2,221
In Benton
#1 of 4
public schools
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Kelso Elem.?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Kelso Elem.
Elementary School in Benton · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Denis School
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Augustine School
4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Kelso Elem.
Kelso Elem. is a public elementary school in Benton, MO, part of KELSO C-7. Kelso Elem. serves approximately 210 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Kelso Elem. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #208 of 2,221 schools in MO.
Structured state assessment records for Kelso Elem. show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- MO avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Kelso Elem. 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Kelso Elem. — Students at Kelso Elem. score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)
Based on 32 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: 9.3/10.
How Kelso Elem. Compares
See how Kelso Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
820 STATE HWY A, Benton, MO 63736
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kelso Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ORAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Oran), with a comparable rating. Another option is SCOTT CO. CENTRAL ELEM. (rated 7.9/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Sikeston), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Scott City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST DENIS SCHOOL Benton | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Kelso | 4.8 mi | 5.5 |
| GUARDIAN ANGEL SCHOOL Oran | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| ORAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oran | 4.5 mi | 8.0 |
| ORAN HIGH SCHOOL Oran | 4.5 mi | 6.8 |
| CHAFFEE ELEM. Chaffee | 5.5 mi | 5.3 |
| SCOTT CITY ELEM. Scott City | 6.3 mi | 6.0 |
| SCOTT CITY HIGH Scott City | 6.3 mi | 6.5 |
| SCOTT CITY MIDDLE Scott City | 6.3 mi | 8.6 |
| CHAFFEE JR.-SR. HIGH Chaffee | 5.8 mi | 5.0 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Scott City | 7.9 mi | 6.9 |
| SCOTT CO. ELEM. Benton | 8.4 mi | 5.1 |
| THOMAS W. KELLY HIGH Benton | 8.4 mi | 6.7 |
| SCOTT CO. MIDDLE Benton | 8.4 mi | 7.0 |
| SCOTT CO. CENTRAL ELEM. Sikeston | 10.3 mi | 7.9 |
| SCOTT CO. CENTRAL HIGH Sikeston | 10.3 mi | 7.0 |
| CENTRAL HIGH Cape Girardeau | 10.4 mi | 6.6 |
| DELTA HIGH Delta | 9.7 mi | 6.6 |
| DELTA ELEM. Delta | 9.7 mi | 5.9 |
| ANCHOR ACADEMY Vanduser | 11.0 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 63736 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,045
Median Home Value
$168,600
Median Rent
$877/mo
Population
3,342
College Educated
25.2%
Homeownership
74.2%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Median Age
40.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DORA ELEM. Dora, MO | 8.3 |
| FAIR PLAY ELEM. Fair Play, MO | 8.3 |
| FORDLAND ELEM. Fordland, MO | 8.3 |
| HERMITAGE ELEM. Hermitage, MO | 8.3 |
| HOWELL VALLEY ELEM. West Plains, MO | 8.3 |
| PARIS ELEM. Paris, MO | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kelso Elem.
What grades does Kelso Elem. serve?
Kelso Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Kelso Elem.?
Kelso Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 210 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kelso Elem.?
The student-teacher ratio at Kelso Elem. is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kelso Elem. rank in MO?
Kelso Elem. ranks #208 of 2,221 schools in MO.
What is Kelso Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Kelso Elem. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Kelso Elem.?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Kelso Elem. has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Kelso Elem. a charter school?
No, Kelso Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kelso Elem. a Title I school?
No, Kelso Elem. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kelso Elem.?
23.3% of students at Kelso Elem. qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 210
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Scott County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.9%
- Phone
- (573) 545-3357
Resources & Links
District
KELSO C-7- District Enrollment
- 210
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,597
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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