Benton County Schools & Education
Benton County, Iowa
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
49/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
90.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,158
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
49/100
Higher = better
State avg 61/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#86
of 99 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Benton County
School Verdict
Benton County performs at an average level with a school score of 49/100 and a solid graduation rate of 90.3%.
Funding Context
At $7,158 per pupil, Benton County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Benton County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 20% below the Iowa average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Benton County, Iowa
A Broad Network of Rural Schools
Benton County features 12 public schools across three districts, supporting a large student population of 4,020. The infrastructure is diverse, including six elementary schools and three high schools.
Balanced Performance and High Value
The county achieves a 90.3% graduation rate, outpacing the national average of 87.0%. Education is delivered efficiently with per-pupil spending at $7,158, which is slightly below the Iowa state average while maintaining a solid school score of 54.0.
Benton and Vinton-Shellsburg Districts
The Benton and Vinton-Shellsburg districts are the heavy hitters here, serving 1,682 and 1,555 students respectively. All 12 schools are traditional public institutions, as the county currently hosts no charter schools.
The Heart of Rural Iowa Education
Nearly all schools operate in rural settings, with an average enrollment of 335 students. Tilford Elementary is the largest school with 578 students, while the county also offers several smaller middle and high school environments.
A Stable Environment for Education
Benton County offers a vast selection of rural schools and districts that consistently outperform national graduation benchmarks. Explore homes in Vinton or Atkins to find the perfect match for your family's educational goals.
School Overview
Total Schools
12
in Benton County
Total Enrollment
4,020
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Benton County
Benton Comm School District
Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District
Belle Plaine Comm School District
12 Public Schools in Benton County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilford Elementary School | Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District | PK–4 | Primary | 578 |
| Benton Community Senior High School | Benton Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 496 |
| Vinton-Shellsburg High School | Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 425 |
| Atkins Elementary School | Benton Comm School District | PK–3 | Primary | 406 |
| Norway Elementary School | Benton Comm School District | 4–6 | Middle | 338 |
| Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School | Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 318 |
| Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School | Center Point-Urbana Comm School District | 3–5 | Primary | 304 |
| Longfellow Elementary School | Belle Plaine Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 286 |
| Benton Community Middle School | Benton Comm School District | 7–8 | Middle | 235 |
| Shellsburg Elementary School | Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 234 |
| Keystone Elementary School | Benton Comm School District | PK–3 | Primary | 207 |
| Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School | Belle Plaine Comm School District | 7–12 | High | 193 |
Center Point-Urbana Comm School District
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,158
State avg $7,591
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Benton County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Benton County?
How much does Benton County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Benton County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Benton County, Iowa?
Benton County features 12 public schools across three districts, supporting a large student population of 4,020. The infrastructure is diverse, including six elementary schools and three high schools.
How do schools in Benton County perform academically?
The county achieves a 90.3% graduation rate, outpacing the national average of 87.0%. Education is delivered efficiently with per-pupil spending at $7,158, which is slightly below the Iowa state average while maintaining a solid school score of 54.0.
What are the major school districts in Benton County, Iowa?
The Benton and Vinton-Shellsburg districts are the heavy hitters here, serving 1,682 and 1,555 students respectively. All 12 schools are traditional public institutions, as the county currently hosts no charter schools.
What is the school experience like in Benton County?
Nearly all schools operate in rural settings, with an average enrollment of 335 students. Tilford Elementary is the largest school with 578 students, while the county also offers several smaller middle and high school environments.
How can I find homes near good schools in Benton County, Iowa?
Benton County offers a vast selection of rural schools and districts that consistently outperform national graduation benchmarks. Explore homes in Vinton or Atkins to find the perfect match for your family's educational goals.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.