Benton County Schools & Education
Benton County, Minnesota
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
52/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
88.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 86.6%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,908
National avg $13,239
State avg $8,463
School Score
52/100
Higher = better
State avg 55/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#43
of 87 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Benton County
School Verdict
Benton County performs at an average level with a school score of 52/100 and a solid graduation rate of 88.4%.
Funding Context
At $7,908 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 6% below the Minnesota average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 7% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Benton County, Minnesota
Benton County's Focused Three-District System
Just three districts manage the education of 6,778 students across 15 public schools in Benton County. The landscape includes five elementary schools, two middle schools, and six high schools, primarily concentrated in suburban and rural pockets.
Strong Graduation Rates with Lean Spending
Benton County achieves an impressive 88.4% graduation rate, outperforming both the state and national averages. This success comes despite a leaner per-pupil expenditure of $7,908, which is lower than the Minnesota average of $8,463.
Sauk Rapids-Rice Leads Enrollment
The Sauk Rapids-Rice Public School District serves 4,423 students across seven schools, making it the county's largest educational provider. There are currently no charter schools in Benton County, with all 6,778 students enrolled in traditional district programs.
Large Campus Feel in a Suburban-Rural Split
Schools in Benton County are larger than average, with a mean enrollment of 565 students. The setting is evenly split between suburban and rural locales, ranging from the 1,394-student Sauk Rapids-Rice Senior High to smaller specialized centers.
Join a High-Performance School Community
With graduation rates exceeding 88%, Benton County is a prime choice for families prioritizing academic outcomes. Look for homes in the Sauk Rapids or Foley areas to secure a place in these high-performing districts.
School Overview
Total Schools
15
in Benton County
Total Enrollment
6,778
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
SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
FOLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Benton-Stearns Education District
15 Public Schools in Benton County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAUK RAPIDS-RICE SENIOR HIGH | SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 1,394 |
| SAUK RAPIDS-RICE MIDDLE SCHOOL | SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 1,045 |
| MISSISSIPPI HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY | SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | KG–5 | Primary | 848 |
| FOLEY INTERMEDIATE ELEMENTARY | FOLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 4–8 | Middle | 735 |
| Pleasantview Elementary | SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 712 |
| FOLEY SENIOR HIGH | FOLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 621 |
| FOLEY ELEMENTARY | FOLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–3 | Primary | 569 |
| LINCOLN ELEMENTARY | ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 3–5 | Primary | 396 |
| RICE ELEMENTARY | SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 372 |
| Hillside Early Childhood Center | SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK | Special Education | 52 |
| Benton-Stearns Education District | Benton-Stearns Education District | 5–12 | Special Education | 19 |
| Benton Stearns Education District 1 | Benton-Stearns Education District | 12 | Special Education | 15 |
| Sauk Rapids ECFE | SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS | PK | Alternative | 0 |
| ALC - Sauk Rapids | ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| ALC - Foley | ST. CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | Alternative | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,908
State avg $8,463
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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, Minnesota — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Benton County, Minnesota?
Just three districts manage the education of 6,778 students across 15 public schools in Benton County. The landscape includes five elementary schools, two middle schools, and six high schools, primarily concentrated in suburban and rural pockets.
How do schools in Benton County perform academically?
Benton County achieves an impressive 88.4% graduation rate, outperforming both the state and national averages. This success comes despite a leaner per-pupil expenditure of $7,908, which is lower than the Minnesota average of $8,463.
What are the major school districts in Benton County, Minnesota?
The Sauk Rapids-Rice Public School District serves 4,423 students across seven schools, making it the county's largest educational provider. There are currently no charter schools in Benton County, with all 6,778 students enrolled in traditional district programs.
What is the school experience like in Benton County?
Schools in Benton County are larger than average, with a mean enrollment of 565 students. The setting is evenly split between suburban and rural locales, ranging from the 1,394-student Sauk Rapids-Rice Senior High to smaller specialized centers.
How can I find homes near good schools in Benton County, Minnesota?
With graduation rates exceeding 88%, Benton County is a prime choice for families prioritizing academic outcomes. Look for homes in the Sauk Rapids or Foley areas to secure a place in these high-performing districts.
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.