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Average

#2040 of 3,192 schools in MI

Benton Harbor High School

High School · Benton Harbor Area Schools

870 COLFAX AVE, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Enrollment

506

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,040 of 3,192

In Benton Harbor

#2 of 12

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

Benton Harbor Area Schools

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Benton Harbor High School

5.7/10

High School in Benton Harbor · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

River of Life School

5.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Benton Harbor Charter School Academy

2.4/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Benton Harbor High School

Benton Harbor High School is a public high school in Benton Harbor, MI, part of Benton Harbor Area Schools. Benton Harbor High School serves approximately 506 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Benton Harbor High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,040 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Benton Harbor High School show 4% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 12% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.8 pts below MI schools
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • MI avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Benton Harbor High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

91% of students at Benton Harbor High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.24 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency5% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency5% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness7.5Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate67%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,734
Chronic Absenteeism90.5%

Benton Harbor High School — Students at Benton Harbor High School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 4.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 12.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2010
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2011
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2012
Math
7%
ELA
24%
2013
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.

How Benton Harbor High School Compares

See how Benton Harbor High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in MI
Academic
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Sports
11
6 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
90.5%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics11sports offered
6 boys'·5 girls'·11 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

870 COLFAX AVE, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Benton Harbor High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores notably higher. Another option is St Joseph High School (rated 7.3/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan (rated 5.0/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Benton Harbor, see our Benton Harbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor 0.3 mi 5.6
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Benton Harbor 0.6 mi 2.4
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy Benton Harbor 0.7 mi 4.3
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor 0.6 mi 8.5
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor 0.9 mi 5.0
Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor 1.1 mi 2.3
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor 0.9 mi 2.5
Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor 1.0 mi 5.3
LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.1 mi 7.9
Lincoln School Saint Joseph 1.3 mi 6.4
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.3 mi 7.1
Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor 1.7 mi 5.1
BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor 2.5 mi 8.8
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph 2.0 mi 7.3
LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph 3.2 mi 7.6
Upton Middle School Saint Joseph 3.7 mi 7.8
Brown School Saint Joseph 3.4 mi 7.0
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph 4.0 mi 6.0
Clarke School Saint Joseph 4.1 mi 5.5
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 4.2 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49022 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$39,859

Median Home Value

$140,500

Median Rent

$797/mo

Population

29,796

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

58.4%

Avg Commute

18.7 min

Poverty Rate

31.7%

Median Age

37.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Gwinn MiddleHigh School Gwinn, MI 5.7
Insight School of Michigan Lansing, MI 5.7
Lincoln High School Warren, MI 5.7
Michigan Center JrSr High School Michigan Center, MI 5.7
ST MARY CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Monroe, MI 5.7
Voyageur College Prep Detroit, MI 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Benton Harbor High School

What grades does Benton Harbor High School serve?

Benton Harbor High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Benton Harbor High School?

Benton Harbor High School has an enrollment of approximately 506 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Benton Harbor High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Benton Harbor High School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Benton Harbor High School rank in MI?

Benton Harbor High School ranks #2,040 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Benton Harbor High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benton Harbor High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Benton Harbor High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Benton Harbor High School has 4% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 12% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Benton Harbor High School a charter school?

No, Benton Harbor High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Benton Harbor High School a Title I school?

No, Benton Harbor High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benton Harbor High School?

95.3% of students at Benton Harbor High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
506
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Berrien County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
90.5%
4-Year Graduation
67.0%

How we rate schools

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