Benton High School (Arkansas)

Benton High School is a public high school located in Benton, Saline County, Arkansas. Benton High School is a member of the Benton School District.

Benton High School
Location
211 N Border St

Benton
,
Arkansas
72015

United States
Coordinates34°33′50″N 92°34′26″W
Information
TypePublic
MottoHome of the Panthers
Established1885
School districtBenton School District
NCES School ID050296000063[1]
PrincipalCurt Barger
Faculty68.15 (on FTE basis)[1]
Grades10 to 12
Enrollment1,132[1] (2016–17)
Student to teacher ratio14.38[1]
Color(s)     Maroon
     Gray
Fight songOn Wisconsin
Athletics conference7A/6A South
SportsFootball, Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Softball, Cheer, Tennis, Bowling, Track & Field, Dance, Swimming & Diving, Golf, Wrestling, Chess
MascotPanthers
Team nameBenton Panthers
USNWR ranking     Silver Medalist
No. 18 (AR)
No. 1843 (USA)
No. 62 (Most Connected)
Websitebentonschools.org

History

In 1885, a public referendum established the Benton School District within the county-wide system. In Saline County in 1889, there were about 4,700 students, 62 teachers, and 50 public schools. In addition, there were several private schools in the county. After 1900, smaller neighboring school districts were consolidated with the Benton District, making it possible to have a larger and better teaching force, improved equipment, and longer terms. However, it was not until the 1920s that children were required to attend school. Starting in 1928, rural children that did not have access to high school courses were allowed to transfer to Benton High and were not charged tuition. The Great Depression of the 1930s created a financial crisis in education, causing Benton school teachers to work for several years at almost half pay. In 1930, Hill’s Business College of Little Rock was established at Benton High School, where citizens of Saline County could take night classes. School enrollment grew during and after World War II.[2]

Academic programs

Benton High School has been consistently recognized for its academic excellence including selection in the U.S. News & World Report America's Best High Schools.[3] In addition, honors received include:

  • No. 1 in Geometry Test Scores for Two Consecutive Years
  • 2009 AAA Academic Cheer Champions - No. 1 in Arkansas
  • 2015, 2014, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995 and 1993 State Champions Quiz Bowl
  • 2012 U.S. News & World Report America's Best High Schools—Silver Medal (No. 18, AR; No. 1843, USA; No. 62, Most Connected)[4]
  • 2009 U.S. News & World Report America's Best High Schools—Bronze Medal
  • 2008 U.S. News & World Report America's Best High Schools—Bronze Medal

Extracurricular activities

The Benton High School mascot and athletic emblem is the panther, with maroon and gray serving as the school colors.

Athletics

For the 2012–14 school years, the Benton Panthers competed in the 6A Classification within the 7A/6A South Conference as administered by the Arkansas Activities Association. The Panthers participated in football, volleyball, baseball, basketball (boys/girls), bowling (boys/girls), competitive cheer, cross country, football, golf (boys/girls), soccer (boys/girls), softball, swimming & diving (boys/girls), tennis (boys/girls), track & field (boys/girls), and wrestling.

Salt Bowl

Benton and Bryant High schools meet for the first game of the season in Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium. This game is known as the Salt Bowl. The average attendance exceeds 20,000 spectators, with 34,086 in attendance in 2015. The rivalry started when a group of students from Bryant painted a panther statue pink, so in response Benton students dropped a load of pink marshmallows from a helicopter on Bryant High's football field in 1974.[5]

Notable alumni

The following are notable people associated with Benton High School. If the person was a Benton High School student, the number in parentheses indicates the year of graduation; if the person was a faculty or staff member, that person's title and years of association are included:

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References
  1. "Search for Public Schools - Benton High School (050296000063)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2014-01-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2009-09-13.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) U.S. News & World Report > Best High Schools
  4. "Best High Schools Report 2012". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  5. "Salt Bowl - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
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