For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,655 students in Benton County, IA (there are 1 private school, serving 176 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Benton County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Benton County, IA are Vinton-shellsburg Middle School, Shellsburg Elementary School and Vinton-shellsburg High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Benton County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 72% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Benton County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Benton County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Vinton-shellsburg Middle School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
212 W. 15th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Grades: 6-8
| 337 students
Rank: #22.
Shellsburg Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
203 Tomahawk Trail
Shellsburg, IA 52332
(319) 436-4728
Shellsburg, IA 52332
(319) 436-4728
Grades: PK-5
| 250 students
Rank: #33.
Vinton-shellsburg High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
210 W. 21st St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Grades: 9-12
| 406 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Atkins Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
217 4th Ave
Atkins, IA 52206
(319) 446-7525
Atkins, IA 52206
(319) 446-7525
Grades: PK-3
| 398 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Tilford Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
308 E 13th St
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Grades: PK-4
| 558 students
Rank: #66.
Norway Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 School Drive
Norway, IA 52318
(319) 227-7142
Norway, IA 52318
(319) 227-7142
Grades: 4-6
| 341 students
Rank: #77.
Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
610 13th Ave South
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
(319) 444-3720
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
(319) 444-3720
Grades: 7-12
| 203 students
Rank: #88.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
707 7th St
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
(319) 444-3002
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
(319) 444-3002
Grades: PK-6
| 287 students
Rank: #99.
Benton Community Senior High School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
600 1st St
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Grades: 9-12
| 490 students
Rank: #1010.
Benton Community Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
600 1st St
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Grades: 7-8
| 212 students
Rank: #1111.
Keystone Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
280 4th St
Keystone, IA 52249
(319) 442-3221
Keystone, IA 52249
(319) 442-3221
Grades: PK-3
| 173 students
Benton County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
600 1st Street
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Grades: 9-12
| 14 students
807 16th St
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
(319) 444-3137
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
(319) 444-3137
Grades: 2-6
| n/a students
1509 9th Ave
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
(319) 444-3631
Belle Plaine, IA 52208
(319) 444-3631
Grades: 7-8
| n/a students
101 3rd Ave, 101 3rd Ave
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Van Horne, IA 52346
(319) 228-8701
Grades: PK-2
| 123 students
516 W 9th St
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Grades: PK-2
| 321 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Benton County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Benton County, IA include Vinton-shellsburg Middle School, Shellsburg Elementary School and Vinton-shellsburg High School.
How many public schools are located in Benton County?
11 public schools are located in Benton County.
What percentage of students in Benton County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Benton County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Benton County?
Benton County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Benton County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Benton County include: Vinton-shellsburg High School vs. Benton Community Senior High School, Benton Community Senior High School vs. Vinton-shellsburg High School, Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School vs. Benton Community Senior High School
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