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Benton Grade School 5-8

Q: Is Benton Grade School 5-8 a good school?

Benton Grade School 5-8 ranks 565 th of 1368 Illinois middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 5-8

565^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,368 Illinois Middle Schools

Better than 59% of Illinois middle schools

Summary

Benton Grade School 5-8 is a public middle school serving grades 5-8 in Benton, Illinois, with 433 students. The school is part of the Benton CCSD 47 district, which is ranked 524 out of 811 districts in Illinois and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Benton Grade School 5-8 faces several challenges, including consistently lower test scores compared to state averages across all grades and subjects. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school's proficiency rates in ELA and Math were 50.7% and 29.5% respectively, compared to the state averages of 53.1% and 38.5%. The school also has high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 24.1% to 29.6% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the state average. While the school's performance for male students and special education students is better than the state averages, female students, white students, and low socioeconomic status students perform worse.

When compared to nearby middle schools, such as Marion Junior High School, Herrin Middle School, and Sesser-Valier Junior High School, Benton Grade School 5-8 generally performs worse on test scores and other metrics. However, the school's support for homeless and disabled students is a bright spot, with the school ranking 1st out of 53 Illinois middle schools for homeless students and 112th out of 694 Illinois middle schools for disabled students in recent years. The district and school leadership should focus on addressing the root causes of these issues to improve the overall academic outcomes for all students.

429

Students ?

12.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,282

Per pupil spending ?

61.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1000 Forrest St
Benton, IL 62812-3337

(618) 438-4011

District: Benton CCSD 47

Students who attend Benton Grade School 5-8 usually attend:

High:

Benton Cons High School

Feeder schools for Benton Grade School 5-8:

Elementary:

Benton Grade School K-4

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.2%

Hispanic:

3.3%

Two or more races:

2.1%

See top rated Illinois middle schools

Compare Benton Grade School 5-8 to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 29th percentile in 2015 → 59th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 30 percentile points since 2015

✓Above the Illinois median (59th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school42%

District avg42%

Illinois avg44%

565^th of 1,368

Illinois public middle schools ?

Top 41%▲ up 30 pts since 2015

From bottom 29% (2015) to top 41% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

524^th of 811Benton CCSD 47 among Illinois districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	54.5	565 of 1368	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	47.0	636 of 1363	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.4	480 of 1367	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	36.0	819 of 1369	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	35.4	716 of 1241	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	35.1	844 of 1356	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	39.8	741 of 1293	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2017	41.6	720 of 1293	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2016	30.3	896 of 1294	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2015	27.9	930 of 1302	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	27.0	1014 of 1322	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	43.7	787 of 1367	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	41.5	918 of 1365	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2011	43.9	867 of 1344	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	41.2	911 of 1327	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2009	49.4	786 of 1318	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2008	42.7	846 of 1293	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2007	51.4	737 of 1287	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2006	51.1	732 of 1272	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2005	52.4	680 of 1209	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2004	36.5	821 of 1204	31.8%	★★☆☆☆
2003	57.4	566 of 1185	52.2%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	69.6	112 of 694	83.9%	★★★★☆
2024	53.3	199 of 639	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	44.8	294 of 674	56.4%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	47.7	604 of 1248	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	43.3	662 of 1251	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.9	512 of 1275	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	35.2	774 of 1286	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	35.2	618 of 1017	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.2	657 of 1276	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	45.8	651 of 1226	46.9%	★★☆☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2023	98.9	1 of 53	98.1%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	57.8	431 of 1229	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	47.4	562 of 1219	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	68.7	257 of 1234	79.2%	★★★★☆
2022	34.9	766 of 1221	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	42.5	541 of 1019	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.9	909 of 1217	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	42.9	636 of 1161	45.2%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	59.3	452 of 1271	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.9	546 of 1264	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.9	398 of 1292	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	37.5	735 of 1286	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	32.6	676 of 1048	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	26.0	953 of 1296	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	32.0	805 of 1223	34.2%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	56.3	248 of 812	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	37.9	425 of 802	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.7	407 of 805	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.7	534 of 781	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	42.5	255 of 548	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	39.4	399 of 792	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	41.3	284 of 602	52.8%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	34.9	600 of 884	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	26.5	663 of 875	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.8	579 of 895	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	17.8	789 of 898	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	21.5	663 of 813	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	16.5	802 of 905	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.6	724 of 889	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Homeless (2023)98th percentile+33 vs school

Disabled (2025)84th percentile+25 vs school

Special Education (2025)69th percentile+11 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)65th percentile+6 vs school

Male (2025)64th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2025)52nd percentile-7 vs school

White (2025)32nd percentile-27 vs school

By subject vs Illinois (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts51%~ state avg

Science45%~ state avg

Mathematics30%-9 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The school is having a serious problem with headlice and the school refuses to check the kids once a month. I am going to the school board meeting to see if I can get things done to keep the problem under control. Good Morning America has made a statements that it is in all schools but Benton doesnt seem to want to take any necessary measures to control the problem. They only check grades PK-4. Close Quote

Schools Near Benton Grade School 5-8

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				ISA Science (2025)		IAR English Language Arts (2025)					IAR Mathematics (2025)					% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% DTP (2024)	% Meningococcal (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISA Science 5th Grade	ISA Science 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts All Grades	IAR Mathematics 5th Grade	IAR Mathematics 6th Grade	IAR Mathematics 7th Grade	IAR Mathematics 8th Grade	IAR Mathematics All Grades	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	% DTP All Grades	% Meningococcal All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Benton Grade School 5-8	Public	5-8	1000 Forrest St	Benton	62812	Franklin County	Benton CCSD 47	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(618) 438-4011	429	34	12.6	61.1%	400 (93.2%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (3.3%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.1%)	54.5	565^th of 1368 public middle schools	58.7%		47	636^th of 1363 public middle schools	53.3%	71	35.4	54.0	41.2	48.5	40.5	78.4	50.7	35.1	20.8	24.3	38.6	29.5	98.2	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.2	98.2	98.2	74.9	$14,282	$939	$13,343
Starquest Academy RSSP North	Public	6-8	901 Public Sq	Benton	62812	Franklin County	Frankln/Johnsn/Massc/Willimsn ROE	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(618) 983-6628	0	1	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Central Junior High School	Public	7-8	1600 E 9th St	West Frankfort	62896	Franklin County	Frankfort CUSD 168	No	(n/a)	No	No	(618) 937-2444	215	19	11.2	53.5%	195 (90.7%)	4 (1.9%)	9 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.3%)	29.7	942^nd of 1368 public middle schools	31.1%		29.2	919^th of 1363 public middle schools	32.6%	23		39.4			39.0	41.9	40.5			11.4	13.5	12.4	99.1	99.1	99.1	99.1	99.1	99.1	99.1	98.2	$15,429	$361	$15,069
Zeigler-Royalton Junior High School	Public	6-8	4877 State Highway 148	Mulkeytown	62865	Franklin County	Zeigler-Royalton CUSD 188	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(618) 596-2121	100	8	12.5	63.0%	90 (90.0%)	1 (1.0%)	3 (3.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (5.0%)	25.4	1006^th of 1368 public middle schools	26.5%		18.2	1147^th of 1363 public middle schools	15.8%	141		41.2		34.6	28.2	38.2	33.3		15.4	5.1	14.7	11.1	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	96.2	$15,335	$1,107	$14,228
Sesser-Valier Junior High School	Public	6-8	4626 State Highway 154	Sesser	62884	Franklin County	Sesser-Valier CUSD 196	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(618) 625-5105	121	8	14.6	66.1%	112 (92.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (5.0%)	53.2	578^th of 1368 public middle schools	57.7%		64.7	397^th of 1363 public middle schools	70.9%	181		37.2		46.3	69.2	72.1	62.6		22.0	25.6	27.9	25.2	99.2	99.2	99.2	99.2	99.2	99.2	99.2	98.5	$13,561	$1,400	$12,161
Spring Garden Middle School	Public	5-8	511 S Elm St	Ina	62846	Jefferson County	Spring Garden CCSD 178	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(618) 437-5361	93	8	11.3	47.3%	84 (90.3%)	4 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (5.4%)	36.6	832^nd of 1368 public middle schools	39.2%		52.3	567^th of 1363 public middle schools	58.4%	265	16.0	33.3	36.0	30.8	62.5	45.0	43.2	16.0	23.1	20.8	15.0	18.9	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	92.0	92.0	$11,009	$1,117	$9,892
Washington Middle School	Public	5-8	100 E 12th St	Johnston City	62951	Williamson County	Johnston City CUSD 1	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(618) 983-7581	296	24	12.4	62.2%	261 (88.2%)	4 (1.4%)	13 (4.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.7%)	27.1	980^th of 1368 public middle schools	28.4%		23.5	1031^st of 1363 public middle schools	24.4%	51	34.3	35.5	46.3	35.4	24.2	44.7	38.0	19.4	12.3	18.2	17.1	16.8	98.0	98.0	98.0	98.0	98.0	98.0	98.0	74.8	$15,912	$1,409	$14,503
Herrin Middle School	Public	6-8	700 S 14th St	Herrin	62948	Williamson County	Herrin CUSD 4	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(618) 942-7461	513	39	13.2	66.1%	401 (78.2%)	25 (4.9%)	22 (4.3%)	5 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	59 (11.5%)	66.2	409^th of 1368 public middle schools	70.1%		63.9	406^th of 1363 public middle schools	70.2%	3		49.0		57.6	65.8	67.7	63.6		28.2	34.8	46.5	36.2	99.2	99.4	99.4	99.4	99.4	98.8	99.4	98.0	$14,471	$1,216	$13,255
Du Quoin Middle School	Public	5-8	845 E Jackson St	Du Quoin	62832	Perry County	Du Quoin CUSD 300	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(618) 542-2646	376	32	11.9	57.2%	322 (85.6%)	11 (2.9%)	7 (1.9%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (8.5%)	66.3	407^th of 1368 public middle schools	70.2%		61.7	429^th of 1363 public middle schools	68.5%	22	28.4	50.6	47.9	53.9	79.1	82.0	65.6	22.3	21.3	38.5	33.7	28.9	98.7	98.7	98.7	98.7	98.7	98.7	98.7	75.5	$14,823	$2,218	$12,605
Marion Junior High School	Public	6-8	1609 W Main St	Marion	62959	Williamson County	Marion CUSD 2	No	(n/a)	No	No	(618) 997-1317	742	49	15.2	56.7%	541 (72.9%)	75 (10.1%)	55 (7.4%)	6 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	63 (8.5%)	43.7	717^th of 1368 public middle schools	47.6%		51.1	585^th of 1363 public middle schools	57.1%	132		32.0		46.5	34.9	50.0	43.8		29.0	29.8	35.4	31.4	98.7	98.9	98.9	98.9	98.6	97.3	98.6	96.9	$13,166	$1,222	$11,944

Frequently Asked Questions about Benton Grade School 5-8

What district is Benton Grade School 5-8 in?

Benton CCSD 47

What is the racial makeup of Benton Grade School 5-8?

Students at Benton Grade School 5-8 are 93% White, 3% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Is Benton Grade School 5-8 a good school?

Benton Grade School 5-8 ranks 565^th of 1368 Illinois middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Benton Grade School 5-8 attend?

Students who attend Benton Grade School 5-8 usually go on to attend Benton Cons High School

How many students attend Benton Grade School 5-8?

In the 2024-25 school year, 429 students attended Benton Grade School 5-8.

Rate Benton Grade School 5-8!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.