Below Average
#1995 of 2,102 schools in WI
Benton High
High School · Benton School District
PO Box 7, Benton, WI 53803
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
8.4:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
8.4:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benton
#2 of 2
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#445 of 499
In district
#2 of 2
Benton School District
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Benton High
Benton High serves 59 students in grades 9-12 in the small rural community of Benton, Wisconsin. This intimate public high school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1 with seven full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships that larger schools often can't provide. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking as the 73rd best high school out of 2,112 schools statewide, placing it in the impressive 97th percentile among Wisconsin high schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its small size. Benton High's tight-knit environment fosters a supportive learning atmosphere where every student is known personally by faculty and staff. The small enrollment means students often have opportunities to participate in multiple activities and take on leadership roles that might not be available in larger schools.
The school serves families in Lafayette County's ZIP code 53803, where the median household income is $60,156 and median home values average $142,500. With 18% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the community of 1,263 residents values education while maintaining its rural character and close community bonds.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 59 students, Benton High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1, Benton High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Benton 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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Benton High — Students at Benton High score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.6/10.
How Benton High Compares
See how Benton High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
PO Box 7, Benton, WI 53803
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Benton High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Belmont High (rated 6.9/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Belmont), which scores notably higher. Another option is Scales Mound High School (rated 6.6/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Scales Mound), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Galena High School (rated 6.5/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Galena), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Benton, see our Benton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Benton Elementary Benton | 0.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Benton Middle Benton | 0.0 mi | — |
| ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Cuba City | 3.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Southwestern Wisconsin Elementary Hazel Green | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Cuba City High Cuba City | 3.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Cuba City Middle Cuba City | 3.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Cuba City Elementary Cuba City | 3.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Southwestern Wisconsin High Hazel Green | 3.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Southwestern Wisconsin Community Middle Hazel Green | 3.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Galena High School Galena | 10.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Galena Elementary and Middle Sch Galena | 10.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Shullsburg Elementary Shullsburg | 7.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Shullsburg High Shullsburg | 7.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Shullsburg Junior High Shullsburg | 7.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Scales Mound High School Scales Mound | 9.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Scales Mound Elem School Scales Mound | 9.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Scales Mound Jr High School Scales Mound | 9.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Belmont Elementary Belmont | 12.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Belmont High Belmont | 12.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Neal Wilkins Early Learning Center Platteville | 12.3 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,813
Median Home Value
$152,200
Median Rent
$1,025/mo
Population
1,230
College Educated
18.8%
Homeownership
80.6%
Avg Commute
26.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
37.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Benton High has a median household income of $67,813. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,200, with a median rent of $1,025/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Endeavor Charter School Watertown, WI | 4.0 |
| WISCONSIN INSTITUTE FOR TORAH STUDY Milwaukee, WI | 3.9 |
| Holcombe High Holcombe, WI | 3.5 |
| Racine Youthful Offender Warren Young High Racine, WI | 4.5 |
| Sparta Alternative Independent Learning School Sparta, WI | 4.5 |
| Valley New School Appleton, WI | 3.5 |
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 59 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Benton High?
The student-teacher ratio at Benton High is 8.4:1. 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 WI?
Benton High is ranked #1995 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Benton High's MySchoolScout rating?
Benton High has a composite rating of 4.0 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 27.5% math proficiency and 37.3% 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?
33.9% 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
- County Safety
- Low (203/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 59
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lafayette County
- Phone
- (608) 759-4002
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Benton School District- District Enrollment
- 218
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,629
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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