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Education

Developing students into successful members of society is the mission of Benton Public Schools. Between the four elementary schools, middle school, junior high school and high school the total enrollment for the 2009-2010 school term totaled 4,587 students.

By creating an environment that strives for excellence through constant improvement and encouraging ethical and honorable behavior within the classroom and beyond the staff works to create opportunities for all students to succeed.

Student scores on Benchmark and ACT exams are consistently among the highest in the state. Benton’s long established Advanced Placement Program produces recognized AP Scholars. High school students may also receive concurrent credit from UALR or Ouachita Technical College. Each year, Benton’s graduating seniors accept well more than $2.7 million in academic and athletic scholarships and financial grants. All of Benton’s public schools are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Extracurricular activities are also integral to the district’s efforts to provide a well-rounded educational experience for their students. Benton High School’s Panther football program has been producing athletes for more than 100 years. Today, students can participate in basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, golf and tennis. Recent additions to the athletic program at Benton High include women’s volleyball and bowling for both men and women. Winning the State High School volleyball tournament in 2009 was a highlight for the year. In addition to athletics, about 450 students participate in the highly rated Benton school bands.

In March 2008, voters of the Benton School District approved a millage increase for the purpose of acquiring, erecting and equipping school facilities and making additions and improvements to existing facilities. The new girls’ softball field, part of the Benton Schools Athletic Complex, was unveiled in 2009. Complete for the fall term of 2010 was the new track and soccer field. Completion of elementary multipurpose buildings that house space for PE, music and art were completed in the spring of 2010. Remodeling of the existing middle school and junior high were ready for the beginning of the fall term in 2010. High school construction began in the summer of 2009 and is expected to be completed in 2011. Making the high school a sustainable building through the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) through the national organization U.S. Green Building Council will result in reduced energy costs for the high school, increased natural lighting and cleaner, healthier interiors for the students.

Private Christian schools in Benton include Victory Baptist Academy and Calvary Christian, serving kindergarten through 12th grades. Catholic-based education can be found at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School for grades kindergarten through 8th. Students in grades 9–12 who wish to continue Catholic-based education may choose to attend Catholic High School or Mount St. Mary Academy in nearby Little Rock.

There are excellent day cares and preschools available to meet your family’s child care and preschool education needs. Several area churches also provide Mother’s Day Out programs for young children.

Benton residents don’t have to travel far for higher education. At our local University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) campus Benton students can earn an Associate of Arts in general studies and then complete a four-year degree at the UALR main campus. Nursing classes are now offered at the Benton campus. Academic advising and financial aid (by appointment) as well as textbook sales and buy-back are also available at the Benton campus. With four universities and a major university teaching hospital all within an hour’s drive or less, Benton residents have many options for pursing undergraduate or graduate studies.

Pulaski Technical College—the largest, most rapidly growing two-year institution in Arkansas—offers more than 50 associate degrees and certification programs for students wishing to enter the workforce post-graduation or go on to a four-year university program. With online classes and seven locations throughout central Arkansas, education is within reach to those pursuing an associate degree or technical training toward a specialized trade or career.

Their newest campus, Pulaski Technical-South, on I-30 between Benton and Little Rock, offers a wide variety of general college curriculum and developmental education courses. Students have access to a library, computer labs, tutoring programs and student services, all housed in an attractive facility with cutting-edge technology. This campus is also home to Pulaski’s Arkansas Culinary School and their Transportation Technology Center with programs in diesel technology, small engine repair, motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle repair technology and commercial driver training. In spring of 2009, collision repair technology and automotive technology relocated to this campus.


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