Total enrollment
2,475
+326 (+15%) vs SY 2020-21
Benton County
Missouri · Public K-12
Of the 9 public K-12 schools in Benton County, the largest district by enrollment is Warsaw R-Ix (1,241 students). Total county enrollment runs around 2,475. That works out to 5 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Benton County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
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 Missouri | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 37.1% | #59 of 100 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,475 | #60 of 101 | #2,022 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 9 | #72 of 101 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.2:1 | #48 of 101 | #582 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 76.7% | #10 of 101 | #548 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 11.9% | #79 of 99 | #2,468 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
20,151
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
9
3 districts
Enrollment
2,475
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$52,567
Below Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
76.7%
Above Missouri avg
Elementary
5
1,226 students
Middle
1
272 students
High
3
977 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
WARSAW R-IX
1,241 students · 3 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+
15.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
14.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.8%
civilian labor
Median age
55
17.3% under 18
Test scores in Benton County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- COLE CAMP ELEM.· 53.0%
- COLE CAMP HIGH· 47.5%
- SOUTH ELEMENTARY· 46.2%
- LINCOLN HIGH· 44.8%
- LINCOLN ELEM.· 39.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- NORTH ELEMENTARY· 34.9%
- JOHN BOISE MIDDLE SCHOOL· 35.8%
- LINCOLN ELEM.· 39.3%
- LINCOLN HIGH· 44.8%
- SOUTH ELEMENTARY· 46.2%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WARSAW HIGH SCHOOL | Warsaw | High | 09-12 | 385 | · |
| COLE CAMP ELEM. | Cole Camp | Elementary | KG-06 | 367 | · |
| COLE CAMP HIGH | Cole Camp | High | 07-12 | 344 | · |
| NORTH ELEMENTARY | Warsaw | Elementary | KG-05 | 326 | · |
| JOHN BOISE MIDDLE SCHOOL | Warsaw | Middle | 06-08 | 272 | · |
| LINCOLN ELEM. | Lincoln | Elementary | KG-06 | 263 | · |
| SOUTH ELEMENTARY | Edwards | Elementary | PK-05 | 258 | · |
| LINCOLN HIGH | Lincoln | High | 07-12 | 248 | · |
| COLE CAMP PRESCHOOL | Cole Camp | Elementary | PK-PK | 12 | · |
Cities in Benton County
About Benton County
Across the small Missouri county of Benton County of about 20,151 residents, the public-school footprint covers 9 schools and about 2,475 students.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show the median household earns about $52,567 a year, roughly 15% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 14%. That income level is 14% noticeably below the Missouri median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Benton County is made up of 5 elementary schools (1,226 students), 1 middle school (272), and 3 high schools (977).
WARSAW R-IX dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,241 students on its own.
Over the past 4-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 2,475 students, climbed 15% from the 2,149 reported in SY 2020-21.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Benton County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data