- Enrollment
- 1,201
- Students per teacher
- 17.9:1
- Resource Index
- 50/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Benton, KY
South Marshall Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for South Marshall Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 59/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 210381000979
👥 S:T ratio 56
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 52
📋 Attendance 60
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Marshall Elementary School earns 59/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 86% of Kentucky schools.
- #1 of 7
- schools in Benton · Resource Index
- 59
- Resource Index · Higher
- 11:1
- small classes for Kentucky
- 62.3%
- free-lunch eligible
South Marshall Elementary School has class sizes smaller than 86% of Kentucky schools. Computed live against every Kentucky school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Marshall Elementary School ranks #1 of 7 schools in Benton, KY.
School address
District: Marshall County · Kentucky
NCES ID 210381000979 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-25 students YoY
South Marshall Elementary School shrank from 289 students in 2022-23 to 264 in 2023-24 (-8.7%).
Teacher FTE lost 22.7 → 20.7 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-25 students YoY 210381000979 · Benton, KY Other · SMALL · TRAD
241 enr · 11:1 · 62.3% lunch · RII 59
Nearest enrollment peer: Marshall County High School (1,201 students)
South Marshall Elementary School shrank from 289 students in 2022-23 to 264 in 2023-24 (-8.7%). Teacher FTE lost 22.7 → 20.7 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Kentucky schools → · Find another →
South Marshall Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Marshall Count
Marshall County High School
1,201 students
- Benton Element
Benton Elementary School
528 students
- North Marshall
North Marshall Middle School
487 students
- Central Elemen 480
Central Elementary School
480 students
- South Marshall 432
South Marshall Middle
432 students
- This school 241
South Marshall Elementary School
241 students
What this shows South Marshall Elementary School reports 241 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Marshall Elementary School compares
South Marshall Elementary School is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Kentucky and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Kentucky | Kentucky avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 11:1 | ▼ 28% | 15.2:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 62.3% | ▲ 5% | 59.2% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 241 | top 77% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
11:1
Leaner classes than 83% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
241
Bigger than 24% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
62.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 5% above the Kentucky average of 59.2%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
11:1
students per teacher
- 28% below state mean
Top 14% in Kentucky - lower ratio than 86% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
16.2%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$14,559
per pupil, district-wide
- above Kentucky avg of $14,362
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 241 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
2
in-school suspensions + 1 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.8 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 1.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 95.0%
Two or More 2.9%
Hispanic or Latino 2.1%
Largest group: White at 95.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 9.6/100
Simpson diversity index - at 9.6, South Marshall Elementary School is less mixed than the Kentucky school average of 34.5.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Marshall County reports $14,559 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Marshall Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall County High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Benton Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| North Marshall Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Central Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| South Marshall Middle | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Marshall Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 528
- Students per teacher
- 16.5:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 487
- Students per teacher
- 15.7:1
- Resource Index
- 53/100
- Enrollment
- 480
- Students per teacher
- 15.5:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
- Enrollment
- 432
- Students per teacher
- 14.9:1
- Resource Index
- 55/100
Similar other schools in Benton
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Benton Elementary School
Standard public school
528 students 16.5:1 students per teacher
Central Elementary School
Standard public school
480 students 15.5:1 students per teacher
Sharpe Elementary School
Standard public school
276 students 13.8:1 students per teacher
Jonathan Elementary School
Standard public school
241 students 13.4:1 students per teacher
Mc Academy
Alternative education program
100 students 33.3:1 students per teacher
Purchase Youth Village
Alternative education program
22 students 11:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~241 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Marshall Elementary School
How many students attend South Marshall Elementary School?
South Marshall Elementary School has 241 students enrolled. It is a public school in Benton, KY. CCD year-over-year: 289 (2022-23) → 264 (2023-24), down 25.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Marshall Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Marshall Elementary School is 11:1, which is 28% lower than the Kentucky average of 15.2:1 and 30% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Marshall Elementary School?
62.3% of students at South Marshall Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Kentucky average of 59.2%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Marshall Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at South Marshall Elementary School is White at 95.0% of enrollment, in Benton, KY.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Marshall Elementary School?
South Marshall Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 59/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Marshall Elementary School rank among schools in Benton?
By Resource Investment Index, South Marshall Elementary School ranks #1 of 7 schools in Benton, KY. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Benton on the city page.
What other schools are in Marshall County?
Besides South Marshall Elementary School, Marshall County also operates Marshall County High School (1,201 students), Benton Elementary School (528 students), and North Marshall Middle School (487 students). See the Marshall County district page for the complete list.