Total enrollment
3,919
+12 (+0%) vs SY 2020-21
Benton County
Iowa · Public K-12
Benton County's public schools total 12 across the county, with enrollment of about 3,919 and Benton Comm School District the largest single district. By level, that breaks down as 6 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Benton County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
12
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Benton County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Iowa | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 76.7% | #26 of 89 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,919 | #27 of 90 | #1,557 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 12 | #32 of 90 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 14.2:1 | #65 of 90 | #1,440 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 37.1% | #61 of 90 | #2,206 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 17.8% | #74 of 89 | #2,236 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Benton County school rankings
Residents
25,724
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
12
4 districts
Enrollment
3,919
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$86,962
Above Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
37.0%
Below Iowa avg
Elementary
6
1,925 students
Middle
3
902 students
High
3
1,092 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Benton Comm School District
1,614 students · 4 districts in Benton County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Benton County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
25.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
3.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.0%
civilian labor
Median age
43
22.9% under 18
Test scores in Benton County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 11 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Atkins Elementary School· 83.6%
- Benton Community Middle School· 83.0%
- Tilford Elementary School· 80.4%
- Vinton-Shellsburg High School· 80.2%
- Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School· 79.9%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilford Elementary School | Vinton | Elementary | PK-04 | 544 | · |
| Benton Community Senior High School | Van Horne | High | 09-12 | 473 | · |
| Vinton-Shellsburg High School | Vinton | High | 09-12 | 414 | · |
| Atkins Elementary School | Atkins | Elementary | PK-03 | 394 | · |
| Norway Elementary School | Norway | Middle | 04-06 | 336 | · |
| Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School | Vinton | Middle | 06-08 | 331 | · |
| Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School | Urbana | Elementary | 03-05 | 275 | · |
| Shellsburg Elementary School | Shellsburg | Elementary | PK-05 | 269 | · |
| Longfellow Elementary School | Belle Plaine | Elementary | PK-06 | 267 | · |
| Benton Community Middle School | Van Horne | Middle | 07-08 | 235 | · |
| Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School | Belle Plaine | High | 07-12 | 205 | · |
| Keystone Elementary School | Keystone | Elementary | PK-03 | 176 | · |
Cities in Benton County
About Benton County
In Iowa, Benton County is a low-population county of about 25,724 residents. 12 public schools across the county serves about 3,919 students between them.
In context, census numbers show the median household earns about $86,962 a year, roughly 26% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 4% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 21% above the Iowa median.
In terms of grade levels, Benton County is made up of 6 elementary schools (1,925 students), 3 middle schools (902), and 3 high schools (1,092).
Benton Comm School District dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,614 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 3,919 students, stayed largely flat from the 3,907 reported in SY 2020-21.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Benton County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data