Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-7.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,255

Benton High — Students at Benton High score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.0/10
5th percentile in WI
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related 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.