Benton Grade Sch K-4

Benton Grade Sch K-4 operates as a medium-sized elementary campus in Benton, Illinois, part of Benton CCSD 47. Current enrollment sits at 571 students spanning grades pre-K through 4. Compared to the state average of about 381 students per school, that is 50% larger than typical.

Across the 2 schools in Benton CCSD 47 (1,000 students total), Benton Grade Sch K-4 accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Looking at the student body, Benton Grade Sch K-4 lists that nearly all students (90%) are White. The remainder breaks down as 5% Hispanic, 4% multiracial.

In terms of school funding signals, Benton Grade Sch K-4 records 37 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 15.6:1. That figure is higher than the state norm's 13.9:1 average. Around 67% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy. By comparison, Franklin County runs at roughly 57%, so the school's eligibility rate is meaningfully above the surrounding baseline.

On a demographically-adjusted basis, Benton Grade Sch K-4 performs roughly as the BeatsExpectations model predicts for a school with this FRL share. The predicted value is around 32.7%, the actual is 35.2%, a residual of +2.5 points.

In the area at large, ACS estimates for Franklin County put median household earnings sit near $56,740, roughly 16% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 13%. Benton Grade Sch K-4 is one of 25 public schools in Franklin County (combined enrollment of about 5,523 students).

Nearest neighbor: Benton Grade Sch 5-8, around 0.1 miles off. Within five miles, there are 2 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Benton Grade Sch K-4 at 6th of 8; the average score across the group is 39.7%.

Benton Grade Sch K-4 operates from a small-town location.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count ticked down 13%: 654 students in 2018 compared to 571 in 2025. The White share of enrollment decreased from 94% to 90% over that span. The student-to-teacher ratio pulled in from 18.2:1 in 2018 to 15.6:1 today.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around fundraisers, lost-and-found posts, and report-card season. Anyone with firsthand experience at this school can post or comment.