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 1,227 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
3,470 Schools
# Students
1,227 Students
1,369,382 Students
# Teachers
110 Teachers
82,971 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
11:1
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.
Overall District Rank
#837 out of 862 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
2%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
5%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
3%
38%
Graduation Rate
53%
81%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.16
0.57
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
4%
9%
% Black
91%
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 $26,421 is higher than the state median of $18,604. The school district revenue/student has grown by 61% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,804 is higher than the state median of $17,782. The school district spending/student has grown by 43% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$32 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$24 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$26,421
$18,604
Spending / Student
$19,804
$17,782
Best Benton Harbor Area Schools Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Career And Alternative Pathways To Education Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
636 Pipestone St
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1900
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1900
Gr: K-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #22.
Fair Plain East Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1995 Union Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-2400
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-2400
Gr: 4-5 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Benton Harbor High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
870 Colfax Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1200
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1200
Gr: 9-12 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
750 E Britain Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1500
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1500
Gr: 1-3 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #55.
Fair Plain Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 6%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
120 E Napier Ave
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1400
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1400
Gr: 6-8 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
465 S Mccord St
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1600
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 605-1600
Gr: PK-K | 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Benton Harbor Area Schools?
Benton Harbor Area Schools manages 6 public schools serving 1,227 students.
What is the rank of Benton Harbor Area Schools?
Benton Harbor Area Schools is ranked #839 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?
91% of Benton Harbor Area Schools students are Black, 4% 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 11:1, 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 $19,804 is higher than the state median of $17,782. The school district spending/student has grown by 43% over four school years.
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
