Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! Tennessee test scores for the 2025-26 school year were just released — SchoolDigger posted updated rankings this week.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Benton Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

796^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,019 Tennessee Elementary Schools

Better than 22% of Tennessee elementary schools

Summary

Benton Elementary School is a pre-K through 5th grade school in Benton, Tennessee, serving 421 students as part of Polk County Schools, and it currently ranks in the 22nd percentile statewide (1 star) — a dramatic fall from its 73rd percentile (4 star) ranking just five years ago. The school has seen one of the steepest declines in the region, dropping more than 50 percentile points since 2021–2022, and it now trails every nearby school in its comparison group, including South Polk Elementary School, its sister school in the same district, which sits 18 percentile points higher despite being only about 8 miles away.

The most striking academic concern is mathematics. Benton's math proficiency rate of 22.7% is roughly half the state average of 43.0% and well below the 39.6% posted by South Polk Elementary School. This math struggle is consistent across all grade levels. Alongside academics, chronic absenteeism has nearly tripled in five years — from 9.0% in 2020–2021 to 27.1% in 2024–2025 — meaning more than one in four students misses 10% or more of school days. That's the highest rate among all nearby schools and 12.2 percentage points above South Polk Elementary School. The timing is telling: test scores began falling sharply just as absenteeism spiked, suggesting attendance is a critical lever for improvement.

There are reasons for hope. Benton's 3rd grade reading proficiency (44.6%) essentially matches the state average (44.9%), indicating that early literacy instruction is a genuine strength. However, 4th grade shows a notable drop-off in every subject, pointing to a possible transition problem in upper elementary. The school also spends more per student ($11,644) than several higher-performing peers, which suggests funding isn't the issue. Perhaps most importantly, as recently as 2022–2023, Benton's scores were above state averages in all subjects, proving the school is capable of strong performance — and the current decline, while serious, may still be reversible.

421

Students ?

15.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,644

Per pupil spending ?

68%

Free/discounted lunch ?

215 Schoolhouse Hill Road
Benton, TN 37307

(423) 299-0090

District: Polk County Schools

Students who attend Benton Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Chilhowee Middle School
High:	Polk County High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

92.2%

Hispanic:

4.8%

African American:

2.4%

See top rated Tennessee elementary schools

Compare Benton Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 57th percentile in 2014 → 22nd in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Tennessee average (30% vs 43% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (22nd percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (27% vs 18% Tennessee)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school30%

District avg33%

Tennessee avg43%

796^th of 1,019

Tennessee public elementary schools ?

Bottom 22%▼ down 20 pts since 2018

From bottom 42% (2018) to bottom 22% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3Elementary Schools in the Polk County Schools

125^th of 141Polk County Schools among Tennessee 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	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	25.6	796 of 1019	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	43.1	559 of 1009	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.2	525 of 1018	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.4	345 of 1020	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.0	268 of 1000	73.2%	★★★★☆
2021	59.4	319 of 983	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.9	380 of 985	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	40.7	579 of 997	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2015	52.9	434 of 855	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2014	55.6	364 of 853	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2013	67.4	282 of 846	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	55.5	390 of 820	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2011	73.7	200 of 818	75.6%	★★★★☆
2010	59.2	340 of 809	58.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	44.1	546 of 986	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	46.9	504 of 990	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	59.3	339 of 989	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	73.0	184 of 975	81.1%	★★★★☆
2021	63.4	254 of 945	73.1%	★★★★☆
2019	44.0	493 of 926	46.8%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	37.9	549 of 823	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	54.0	340 of 843	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.0	418 of 853	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	68.8	180 of 865	79.2%	★★★★☆
2022	58.7	269 of 858	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	65.0	177 of 823	78.5%	★★★★☆
2019	62.5	203 of 821	75.3%	★★★★☆
2018	55.6	315 of 877	64.1%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	41.9	574 of 984	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.7	533 of 991	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	57.5	359 of 987	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.7	372 of 980	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.4	379 of 941	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	60.8	284 of 916	69.0%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	31.3	448 of 641	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.9	308 of 618	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	47.1	237 of 582	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	35.3	338 of 528	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	30.2	295 of 395	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	15.7	781 of 849	8.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	29.5	619 of 840	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	31.8	602 of 847	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	49.0	395 of 852	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.0	336 of 844	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.0	388 of 844	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	41.2	460 of 812	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	29.4	643 of 841	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Female (2025)45th percentile~ school

Male (2025)42nd percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)33rd percentile+11 vs school

Special Education (2026)30th percentile+8 vs school

White (2026)8th percentile-14 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts36%-4 vs state

Science32%-14 vs state

Mathematics23%-20 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Benton Elementary School and help other families decide.

Rate Benton Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Benton Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				TNReady Mathematics (2026)							TNReady English Language Arts (2026)							TNReady Science (2026)							TNReady Social Studies (2026)				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 (2016)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	TNReady Mathematics 3rd Grade	TNReady Mathematics 4th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 5th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 6th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 7th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 8th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	TNReady English Language Arts 3rd Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 4th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 5th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 6th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 7th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 8th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts All Grades	TNReady Science 3rd Grade	TNReady Science 4th Grade	TNReady Science 5th Grade	TNReady Science 6th Grade	TNReady Science 7th Grade	TNReady Science 8th Grade	TNReady Science All Grades	TNReady Social Studies 6th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 7th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 8th Grade	TNReady Social Studies All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Benton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	215 Schoolhouse Hill Road	Benton	37307	Polk County	Polk County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 299-0090	395	26	15.4	68.0%	370 (93.7%)	11 (2.8%)	11 (2.8%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	25.6	796^th of 1019 public elementary schools	21.9%		43.1	559^th of 1009 public elementary schools	44.6%	237	21.5	22.8	23.8				22.7	44.6	29.8	33.9				36.4	27.7	35.1	34.9				32.4					$11,644	$707	$9,931
South Polk Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	964 Old Federal Road	Old Fort	37362	Polk County	Polk County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 338-4512	341	21	16.6	73.2%	332 (97.4%)	3 (0.9%)	6 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	41.8	614^th of 1019 public elementary schools	39.7%		46.1	529^th of 1009 public elementary schools	47.6%	85	21.6	74.4	31.5				39.6	37.3	69.2	29.6				43.1	25.5	56.4	36.5				38.0					$11,369	$1,291	$9,085
Taylor Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5265 Bates PIKE	Cleveland	37323	Bradley County	Bradley County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 478-8817	277	19	14.9	83.8%	239 (86.3%)	5 (1.8%)	24 (8.7%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.2%)	31.9	735^th of 1019 public elementary schools	27.9%		37.3	640^th of 1009 public elementary schools	36.6%	95	29.3	42.2	32.4				35.0	41.5	48.9	30.6				41.0	24.4	31.1	29.7				28.5					$13,314	$1,171	$11,198
Calhoun Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	150 Sherwood Avenue	Calhoun	37309	McMinn County	McMinn County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 336-2974	325	22	14.8	71.7%	283 (87.1%)	6 (1.8%)	21 (6.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.3%)	57.7	401^st of 1019 public elementary schools	60.6%		66.7	276^th of 1009 public elementary schools	72.6%	125	48.6	48.3	61.5	46.9	34.3	48.1	47.3	40.0	34.5	46.2	43.8	22.9	44.4	38.0	25.7	48.3	65.4	53.1	57.1	77.8	53.3	56.3	57.1	77.8	62.8	$14,075	$899	$12,174
Charleston Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8797 Hiwassee Street	Charleston	37310	Bradley County	Bradley County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 336-2232	342	24	14.2	56.2%	284 (83.0%)	9 (2.6%)	28 (8.2%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.6%)	57.2	411^th of 1019 public elementary schools	59.7%		67.6	260^th of 1009 public elementary schools	74.2%	151	35.8	46.5	59.4				48.2	43.4	45.1	40.6				43.0	47.2	54.9	53.6				52.3					$12,164	$1,000	$10,321
Michigan Avenue Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	188 Michigan Ave School Road	Cleveland	37323	Bradley County	Bradley County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 478-8807	453	29	15.8	52.2%	353 (77.9%)	13 (2.9%)	48 (10.6%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (7.5%)	89.5	92^nd of 1019 public elementary schools	91.0%		89.7	90^th of 1009 public elementary schools	91.1%	2	57.5	71.6	72.9				67.3	67.1	71.6	65.7				68.2	70.8	81.1	58.0				70.2					$11,288	$816	$9,691
Park View Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	300 Minnis Road	Cleveland	37323	Bradley County	Bradley County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 476-6622	443	29	15.5	76.3%	375 (84.7%)	11 (2.5%)	39 (8.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.6%)	67.8	280^th of 1019 public elementary schools	72.5%		65.8	287^th of 1009 public elementary schools	71.6%	7	46.4	51.8	57.1				51.6	49.1	60.7	51.0				53.7	33.3	69.6	67.3				56.2					$13,169	$1,161	$11,048
North Lee Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	205 Sequoia Drive	Cleveland	37312	Bradley County	Bradley County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 478-8809	509	32	16.1	42.3%	400 (78.6%)	23 (4.5%)	41 (8.1%)	16 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	27 (5.3%)	79.1	163^rd of 1019 public elementary schools	84.0%		81.4	144^th of 1009 public elementary schools	85.7%	19	48.1	62.9	66.7				59.1	63.0	57.1	65.4				62.1	56.3	60.0	58.0				58.0					$10,535	$653	$9,142
Oak Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	400 Durkee Road SE	Cleveland	37323	Bradley County	Bradley County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 478-8812	380	26	14.9	68.8%	274 (72.1%)	16 (4.2%)	66 (17.4%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.3%)	37.7	669^th of 1019 public elementary schools	34.3%		39.3	616^th of 1009 public elementary schools	38.9%	53	25.8	50.9	37.0				37.3	31.7	50.9	45.3				42.0	32.3	35.8	33.3				33.7					$12,959	$1,081	$10,860
D.P. Yates Primary School	Public	PK, KG-2	750 Mouse Creek Road	Cleveland	37312	Bradley County	Cleveland City Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 479-1723	298	23	12.8	61.4%	162 (54.4%)	25 (8.4%)	77 (25.8%)	7 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	26 (8.7%)								(n/a)																										$16,484	$1,002	$14,630

Frequently Asked Questions about Benton Elementary School

How many students attend Benton Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 421 students attended Benton Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Benton Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Benton Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Chilhowee Middle School
High : Polk County High School

What district is Benton Elementary School in?

Polk County Schools

Is Benton Elementary School a good school?

Benton Elementary School ranks in the bottom 21.9% of Tennessee elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Benton Elementary School?

Students at Benton Elementary School are 92% White, 5% Hispanic, 2% African American.

Rate Benton Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

TNTennessee Elementary School Rankings

TNTennessee District Rankings

Schools in Benton, TN

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Benton Elementary School!

Latest Tennessee data All new data »

2025–26 TNReady test scoresNewAug 25, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesApr 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataFeb 27, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataDec 18, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Tennessee Department 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.