Very Good
#584 of 2,216 schools in MO
Top 26% in state
Thomas W. Kelly High
High School · SCOTT CO. R-IV
4035 STATE HWY 77, Benton, MO 63736
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benton
#2 of 4
public schools
Missouri high schools
#139 of 532
In district
#1 of 3
SCOTT CO. R-IV
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Thomas W. Kelly High
Thomas W. Kelly High is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Benton, Missouri, in Scott County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and currently has an enrollment of 315 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1.
There are 23 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education at Thomas W. Kelly High. The academic performance of the school is rated at 5.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 63rd percentile among Missouri's 2,234 high schools.
The ELA/Reading proficiency rate for students averages 49%, and the Math proficiency rate stands at 32%. With room for academic growth, Thomas W. Kelly High continues to focus on student development and success.
Thomas W. Kelly High is situated in a rural setting that offers a close-knit community feel and provides a supportive environment for its students as they navigate their high school years.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Thomas W. Kelly High 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
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Thomas W. Kelly High — Students at Thomas W. Kelly High score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How Thomas W. Kelly High Compares
See how Thomas W. Kelly High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
4035 STATE HWY 77, Benton, MO 63736
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas W. Kelly High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SCOTT CO. CENTRAL HIGH (rated 7.5/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Sikeston), with a very similar rating. Another option is ORAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Oran), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SCOTT CITY HIGH (rated 7.1/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Scott City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SCOTT CO. ELEM. Benton | 0.0 mi | 4.6 |
| SCOTT CO. MIDDLE Benton | 0.0 mi | 6.0 |
| ST DENIS SCHOOL Benton | 6.1 mi | 5.6 |
| KELSO ELEM. Benton | 8.4 mi | 8.3 |
| SCOTT CO. CENTRAL ELEM. Sikeston | 9.2 mi | 8.4 |
| SCOTT CO. CENTRAL HIGH Sikeston | 9.2 mi | 7.5 |
| ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Kelso | 10.8 mi | 5.5 |
| OLIVE BRANCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Olive Branch | 10.8 mi | — |
| ST HENRY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Charleston | 11.0 mi | 5.7 |
| CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Charleston | 11.4 mi | 6.4 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Scott City | 12.5 mi | 6.9 |
| ORAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oran | 10.2 mi | 6.8 |
| ORAN HIGH SCHOOL Oran | 10.2 mi | 7.2 |
| GUARDIAN ANGEL SCHOOL Oran | 10.3 mi | 5.9 |
| WARREN E. HEARNES ELEM. Charleston | 11.5 mi | 5.6 |
| SCOTT CITY ELEM. Scott City | 12.3 mi | 6.7 |
| SCOTT CITY HIGH Scott City | 12.3 mi | 7.1 |
| SCOTT CITY MIDDLE Scott City | 12.3 mi | 7.7 |
| SOUTHEAST ELEM. Sikeston | 12.4 mi | 6.7 |
| NEW DAWN SCHOOL Sikeston | 12.5 mi | 6.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas W. Kelly High has a median household income of $62,045. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,600, with a median rent of $877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ASH GROVE HIGH Ash Grove, MO | 7.2 |
| CABOOL HIGH Cabool, MO | 7.2 |
| HIGHLAND JR.-SR. HIGH Lewistown, MO | 7.2 |
| MORGAN CO. R-I HIGH Stover, MO | 7.2 |
| SMITHTON HIGH Smithton, MO | 7.2 |
| ST MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL St. Louis, MO | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas W. Kelly High
What grades does Thomas W. Kelly High serve?
Thomas W. Kelly High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Thomas W. Kelly High?
Thomas W. Kelly High has an enrollment of approximately 315 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas W. Kelly High?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas W. Kelly High is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas W. Kelly High rank in MO?
Thomas W. Kelly High is ranked #584 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Thomas W. Kelly High's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas W. Kelly High has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Thomas W. Kelly High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas W. Kelly High has 32.0% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas W. Kelly High a charter school?
No, Thomas W. Kelly High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas W. Kelly High a Title I school?
No, Thomas W. Kelly High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas W. Kelly High?
46.0% of students at Thomas W. Kelly 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 315
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Scott County
- Phone
- (573) 545-3541
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SCOTT CO. R-IV- District Enrollment
- 912
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,798
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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
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