Summary:
The 12 public schools in zip code 72015 (Benton, AR) serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across three districts—Benton School District, Bryant School District, and Harmony Grove School District (Saline)—offering a mix of elementary, middle, and high schools with varying academic strengths.
The standout schools in this area are Mt. View Elementary and Benton High School, both ranking in the 94th and 95th percentiles statewide, respectively. Mt. View leads elementary schools with 64.6% ELA and 67.7% math proficiency, while Benton High boasts a 94.2% graduation rate and a low 1% dropout rate. Perrin Elementary is a rising star, jumping from the 72nd to 90th percentile, with strong math (69.5%) and science (63.3%) scores. In contrast, Ringgold Elementary and Angie Grant Elementary rank in the bottom 30th percentile, with lower test scores and higher free/reduced lunch rates (62-66%). Benton Junior High excels in advanced coursework, with 94.3% geometry and 97.4% biology proficiency, far exceeding district averages.
A key finding is the "spending paradox": the lowest-performing schools (Angie Grant at $13,884/student and Ringgold at $10,653/student) spend the most per pupil, while top performer Mt. View spends just $9,602. This suggests higher spending may address poverty-related challenges rather than guarantee results. The Benton School District feeder pattern shows a performance gap, with high-performing Mt. View and Perrin feeding into Benton Middle School (64th percentile), which must bridge diverse academic foundations. Harmony Grove schools have favorable student-teacher ratios (6:1 at Harmony Grove High School) and low poverty rates, yet their rankings (58th-75th percentile) are solid but not top-tier, highlighting that resources alone don't drive excellence. Overall, families should consider the strong elementary options in Benton, the advanced STEM pathways at Benton Junior High, and the consistent performance of Benton High School.
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