Benton Harbor Area Schools

870 Colfax Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-7409
(District boundaries shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Benton Harbor Area Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 1,292 students in Benton Harbor Area Schools. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Michigan.
Public Schools in Benton Harbor Area Schools have an average math proficiency score of 5% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 7% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
6 Schools
3,506 Schools
# Students
1,292 Students
1,376,194 Students
# Teachers
107 Teachers
82,370 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Benton Harbor Area Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 845 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 53% has decreased from 65% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (MI)
#837 out of 862 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
2%
35%
5%
45%
3%
38%
53%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.15
0.56
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
3%
9%
% Black
92%
18%
% White
2%
63%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $25,092 is higher than the state median of $18,512. The school district revenue/student has grown by 53% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,808 is higher than the state median of $17,694. The school district spending/student has grown by 35% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MI)
Total Revenue
$32 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$24 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$25,092
$18,512
Spending / Student
$18,808
$17,694

Best Benton Harbor Area Schools Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Career And Alternative Pathways To Education Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
636 Pipestone St
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1900
Gr: K-12 | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #22.
Fair Plain East Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1995 Union Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-2400
Gr: 4-5 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Benton Harbor High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
870 Colfax Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1200
Gr: 9-12 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
750 E Britain Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1500
Gr: 1-3 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Fair Plain Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 6%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
120 E Napier Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1400
Gr: 6-8 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
465 S Mccord St
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1600
Gr: PK-K | 86 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 99%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Benton Harbor Area Schools?
Benton Harbor Area Schools manages 6 public schools serving 1,292 students.
What is the rank of Benton Harbor Area Schools?
Benton Harbor Area Schools is ranked #838 out of 845 school districts in Michigan (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Michigan school districts for: Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Benton Harbor Area Schools?
92% of Benton Harbor Area Schools students are Black, 3% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are White.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Benton Harbor Area Schools?
Benton Harbor Area Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Michigan state average of 17:1.
What is Benton Harbor Area Schools's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $18,808 is higher than the state median of $17,694. The school district spending/student has grown by 35% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 6 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 1,292 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 98%
  • : 53% (Btm 50% in MI)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 2% (Btm 50%)
  • : 5% (Btm 50%)
  • : 3% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education

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