- Enrollment
- 2,007
- Students per teacher
- 16.9:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Columbia, MO
Thomas Benton Elem.
Federal NCES profile for Thomas Benton Elem., including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 51/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 290100000313
👥 S:T ratio 54
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 54
📋 Attendance 28
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Thomas Benton Elem. earns 51/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Missouri median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Missouri schools.
- #9 of 19
- schools in Columbia · Resource Index
- 51
- Resource Index · Higher
- 11.6:1
- students per teacher
- 98.6%
- free-lunch eligible
Thomas Benton Elem. has class sizes near the Missouri median. Computed live against every Missouri school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Thomas Benton Elem. ranks #9 of 19 schools in Columbia, MO.
School address
District: Columbia 93 · Missouri
NCES ID 290100000313 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+0 students YoY
Thomas Benton Elem. held near 216 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+0 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 20.7 → 21.7 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+0 students YoY 290100000313 · Columbia, MO Other · SMALL · TRAD
232 enr · 11.6:1 · 98.6% lunch · RII 51
Nearest enrollment peer: David H. Hickman High (2,007 students)
Thomas Benton Elem. held near 216 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+0 headcount). Teacher FTE added 20.7 → 21.7 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Missouri schools → · Find another →
Thomas Benton Elem. in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- David H. Hickm
David H. Hickman High
2,007 students
- Rock Bridge Sr
Rock Bridge Sr. High
1,997 students
- Muriel W. Batt
Muriel W. Battle High School
1,492 students
- Ann Hawkins Ge 736
Ann Hawkins Gentry Middle
736 students
- Beulah Ralph E 656
Beulah Ralph Elementary
656 students
- This school 232
Thomas Benton Elem.
232 students
What this shows Thomas Benton Elem. reports 232 students on the CCD universe file.
How Thomas Benton Elem. compares
Thomas Benton Elem. held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Missouri and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Missouri | Missouri avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 11.6:1 | ▼ 9% | 12.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 98.6% | ▲ 114% | 46.1% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 232 | top 65% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
11.6:1
Leaner classes than 79% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
232
Bigger than 23% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
98.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 114% above the Missouri average of 46.1%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
11.6:1
students per teacher
- 9% below state mean
Top 36% in Missouri - lower ratio than 64% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
28.9%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$13,936
per pupil, district-wide
- below Missouri avg of $14,087
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 232 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
20
in-school suspensions + 28 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 8.6 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 20.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 41.4%
White 37.9%
Two or More 14.7%
Hispanic or Latino 6.0%
Largest group: African American at 41.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 66.0/100
Simpson diversity index - at 66.0, Thomas Benton Elem. is more mixed than the Missouri school average of 31.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Columbia 93 reports $13,936 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Thomas Benton Elem. Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| David H. Hickman High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Rock Bridge Sr. High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Muriel W. Battle High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Ann Hawkins Gentry Middle | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Beulah Ralph Elementary | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Thomas Benton Elem.'s own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,997
- Students per teacher
- 18.5:1
- Resource Index
- 51/100
- Enrollment
- 1,492
- Students per teacher
- 14.9:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 736
- Students per teacher
- 14.4:1
- Resource Index
- 51/100
- Enrollment
- 656
- Students per teacher
- 14.6:1
- Resource Index
- 52/100
Similar other schools in Columbia
1 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
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 (~232 students)
Frequently asked questions about Thomas Benton Elem.
How many students attend Thomas Benton Elem.?
Thomas Benton Elem. has 232 students enrolled. It is a public school in Columbia, MO. CCD year-over-year: 216 (2022-23) → 216 (2023-24), nearly flat (+0).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Benton Elem.?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Benton Elem. is 11.6:1, which is 9% lower than the Missouri average of 12.8:1 and 26% 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 Thomas Benton Elem.?
98.6% of students at Thomas Benton Elem. are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Missouri average of 46.1%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Thomas Benton Elem.?
The largest demographic group at Thomas Benton Elem. is African American at 41.4% of enrollment, in Columbia, MO. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 66.0/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Thomas Benton Elem.?
Thomas Benton Elem. has a Resource Investment Index of 51/100 (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 Thomas Benton Elem. rank among schools in Columbia?
By Resource Investment Index, Thomas Benton Elem. ranks #9 of 19 schools in Columbia, MO. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Columbia on the city page.
What other schools are in Columbia 93?
Besides Thomas Benton Elem., Columbia 93 also operates David H. Hickman High (2,007 students), Rock Bridge Sr. High (1,997 students), and Muriel W. Battle High School (1,492 students). See the Columbia 93 district page for the complete list.