Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Benton, KY (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Benton Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 3,521 students in Benton, KY (there are 1 private school, serving 259 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Benton, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Benton, KY are Central Elementary School, Benton Elementary School and South Marshall Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Benton, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Benton have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Benton, KY (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
115 Jim Goheen Drive
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 527-0796
Gr: PK-5 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Benton Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
208 W 11th St
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 527-3373
Gr: PK-5 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
South Marshall Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
155 Sid Darnell Road
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 527-1581
Gr: PK-5 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Sharpe Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8400 Us Hwy 68 W
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 898-2852
Gr: PK-5 | 276 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
South Marshall Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2211 Us 641 South
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 527-3828
Gr: 6-8 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Marshall County High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
416 High School Rd
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 527-1453
Gr: 9-12 | 1,201 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #77.
Jonathan Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
9207 Us Hwy 68 E
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 354-6462
Gr: PK-5 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Mc Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
397 High School Road
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 527-8628
Gr: 6-12 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: n/an/a
Marshall County Technical Center
Vocational School
341 High School Rd
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 527-8648
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Purchase Youth Village
Alternative School
473 Old Symsonia Rd
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 252-7400
Gr: 1-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 18%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Benton, KY?
The top-ranked public schools in Benton, KY include Central Elementary School, Benton Elementary School and South Marshall Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Benton?
10 public schools are located in Benton.
What percentage of students in Benton go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Benton are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Benton?
Benton public schools minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public schools average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Benton are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (KY):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
 School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes

More Articles

Evaluating Public Schools
Opinion
Parenting and Learning Issues
About Public Schools
Scholarships