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Average

#941 of 2,221 schools in MO

Top 42% 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

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#941 of 2,221

In Benton

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

SCOTT CO. R-IV

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Thomas W. Kelly High

6.7/10

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

Scott Co. Elem.

5.1/10

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

Scott Co. Middle

7.0/10

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

About Thomas W. Kelly High

Thomas W. Kelly High is a public high school in Benton, MO, part of SCOTT CO. R-IV.

Thomas W. Kelly High serves approximately 315 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas W.

Kelly High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #941 of 2,221 schools in MO. Structured state assessment records for Thomas W. Kelly High show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with MO schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • MO avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Thomas W. Kelly High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College Readiness9.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,798
Chronic Absenteeism23.2%

Thomas W. Kelly High — Students at Thomas W. Kelly High score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
34.5%
ELA
74.5%
2010
Math
42%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
22%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
30%
2017
Math
34.5%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
52%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Thomas W. Kelly High Compares

See how Thomas W. Kelly High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in MO
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Sports
6
3 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.2%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics6sports offered
3 boys'·3 girls'·6 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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 7.0/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Sikeston), with a very similar rating. Another option is ORAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Oran), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SCOTT CITY HIGH (rated 6.5/10, 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 5.1
SCOTT CO. MIDDLE Benton 0.0 mi 7.0
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 7.9
SCOTT CO. CENTRAL HIGH Sikeston 9.2 mi 7.0
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 5.1
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Scott City 12.5 mi 6.9
ORAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oran 10.2 mi 8.0
ORAN HIGH SCHOOL Oran 10.2 mi 6.8
GUARDIAN ANGEL SCHOOL Oran 10.3 mi 5.9
WARREN E. HEARNES ELEM. Charleston 11.5 mi 4.3
SCOTT CITY ELEM. Scott City 12.3 mi 6.0
SCOTT CITY HIGH Scott City 12.3 mi 6.5
SCOTT CITY MIDDLE Scott City 12.3 mi 8.6
SOUTHEAST ELEM. Sikeston 12.4 mi 7.3
NEW DAWN SCHOOL Sikeston 12.5 mi 3.4

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
BROOKFIELD HIGH Brookfield, MO 6.7
DIAMOND HIGH Diamond, MO 6.7
GAINESVILLE HIGH Gainesville, MO 6.7
HOUSTON HIGH Houston, MO 6.7
PLATO HIGH Plato, MO 6.7
RICHLAND HIGH Richland, MO 6.7

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 ranks #941 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Thomas W. Kelly High's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas W. Kelly High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Thomas W. Kelly High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas W. Kelly High has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.2%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

SCOTT CO. R-IV
District Enrollment
912
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,798
District Rank
#2 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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