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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Benton County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,655 students in Benton County, IA (there are 1 private school, serving 150 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Benton County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Benton County, IA are Vinton-shellsburg Middle School, Norway Elementary School and Vinton-shellsburg High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Benton County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 74% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Benton County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Benton County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Vinton-shellsburg Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
212 W. 15th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Gr: 6-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Norway Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
100 School Drive
Norway, IA 52318
(319) 227-7142
Gr: 4-6 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
Vinton-shellsburg High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
210 W. 21st St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Gr: 9-12 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #44.
Shellsburg Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
203 Tomahawk Trail
Shellsburg, IA 52332
(319) 436-4728
Gr: PK-5 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Atkins Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
217 4th Ave
Atkins, IA 52206
(319) 446-7525
Gr: PK-3 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
707 7th St
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
(319) 444-3002
Gr: PK-6 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Tilford Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
308 E 13th St
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Gr: PK-4 | 544 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
Benton Community Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
600 1st St
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Gr: 7-8 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #99.
Benton Community Senior High School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
600 1st St
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Gr: 9-12 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1010.
Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
610 13th Ave South
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
(319) 444-3720
Gr: 7-12 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1111.
Keystone Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
280 4th St
Keystone, IA 52249
(319) 442-3221
Gr: PK-3 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Benton County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Benton County, IA include Vinton-shellsburg Middle School, Norway Elementary School and Vinton-shellsburg High School.
How many public schools are located in Benton County?
11 public schools are located in Benton County.
What percentage of students in Benton County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Benton County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Benton County?
Benton County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Benton County are often viewed compared to one another?

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