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Bennington County

Vermont · Public K-12

Bennington County's public schools total 16 across the county, with enrollment of about 3,854 and Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87 the largest single district. By grade band, the county runs 12 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.

7-year change in Bennington County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
3,854
-408 (-10%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
15
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
89%
was 95%
% Hispanic
5%
was 2%
% Black
2%
was 1%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
16
7 districts
Enrollment
3,854
NCES CCD
Median income
$73,325
Below Vermont avg
Free/reduced lunch
72.7%
Above Vermont avg
Elementary
12
2,313 students
Middle
1
484 students
High
3
1,057 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87
1,351 students · 7 districts in Bennington County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Bennington 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
White
92%
Hispanic
3%
Black
1%
Asian
1%
Two or more
5%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
89%
Hispanic
5%
Black
2%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
41.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.4%
civilian labor
Median age
47
18.7% under 18

Test scores in Bennington County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 12 schools ranked. Vermont state average: 50.6%.

See all 12 schools in Bennington County ranked by score →

All schools (16)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Mt. Anthony Senior Union High SchoolBenningtonHigh09-12855·
Mt. Anthony Union Middle SchoolBenningtonMiddle06-08484·
Molly Stark SchoolBenningtonElementaryPK-05402·
Manchester Elementary/Middle SchoolManchester CenterElementaryPK-08396·
Bennington Elementary SchoolBenningtonElementaryPK-05278·
Pownal Elementary SchoolPownalElementaryPK-06249·
Shaftsbury Elementary SchoolShaftsburyElementaryPK-06245·
Fisher SchoolArlingtonElementaryPK-05205·
Arlington MemorialArlingtonHigh06-12202·
Dorset Elementary SchoolDorsetElementaryPK-08187·
Monument Elementary SchoolBenningtonElementaryPK-05147·
Stamford Elementary SchoolStramfordElementaryPK-0878·
Sunderland Elementary SchoolArlingtonElementaryPK-0658·
Readsboro Elementary SchoolReadsboroElementaryPK-0638·
Woodford Hollow SchoolBenningtonElementaryPK-0630·
Southwest TechBenningtonHigh09-120·

Cities in Bennington County

Bennington7 schoolsArlington3 schoolsDorset1 schoolManchester Center1 schoolPownal1 schoolReadsboro1 schoolShaftsbury1 schoolStramford1 school

About Bennington County

Bennington County is a sparse Vermont county of about 37,269 residents, home to 16 public schools and roughly 3,854 students.

Stepping back, census numbers show median household income runs near $73,325, 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 7%. That income level is 6% below the Vermont median.

On the school-mix side, Bennington County consists of 12 elementary schools (2,313 students), 1 middle school (484), and 3 high schools (1,057).

Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,351 students across Bennington County.

Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Bennington County has decreased 10% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 4,262 students to 3,854. The White share of public-school enrollment decreased from 95% to 89%.

In the discussion threads here, the community for Bennington County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Bennington County?
Bennington County, Vermont has 16 public K-12 schools serving approximately 3,854 students.
How many high schools are in Bennington County?
Bennington County, Vermont has 3 public high schools, serving approximately 1,057 students.
How many middle schools are in Bennington County?
Bennington County, Vermont has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 484 students.
How many elementary schools are in Bennington County?
Bennington County, Vermont has 12 public elementary schools, serving approximately 2,313 students.
What is the largest school district in Bennington County?
Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87 is the largest school district in Bennington County, serving approximately 1,351 students. The county contains 7 school districts overall.
What is the population of Bennington County?
Bennington County, Vermont has a population of approximately 37,269, with a median age of 47. About 18.7% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Bennington County?
Median household income in Bennington County is $73,325, below the Vermont average of $78,344. About 7.3% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Bennington County?
Approximately 41.8% of adults 25 and older in Bennington County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Bennington County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 72.7% of students in Bennington County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Vermont county average of 51.9%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Bennington County schools?
Across Bennington County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 13.8 to 1.

Bennington County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data