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Average

#1275 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 40% in state

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

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Benton Harbor

#6 of 12

public schools

Michigan high schools

#246 of 812

In district

#3 of 6

Benton Harbor Area Schools

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Benton Harbor High School

Benton Harbor High School is a regular public high school located in the small suburban area of Benton Harbor, Michigan. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 506 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. There are 33 full-time equivalent teachers supporting these students.

Academically, Benton Harbor High School is ranked at the 18th percentile among Michigan schools, placing it at #2619 out of 3204 in the state. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate for the school is 4%, and similarly, only 4% of students are proficient or above in math. While these numbers indicate areas where the school could improve, Benton Harbor High School remains an important community resource for young adults in the area.

Located in a small suburban setting, it offers a close-knit environment that can foster personal connections and support among its diverse student body.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Benton Harbor High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency5%
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected-9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,698

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 3.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 3.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
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: 9.0/10.

How Benton Harbor High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in MI
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

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 7.0/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan (rated 6.5/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar 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 5.4
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy Benton Harbor 0.7 mi 5.1
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor 0.6 mi 7.6
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor 0.9 mi 6.5
Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor 1.1 mi 6.2
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor 0.9 mi 6.6
Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor 1.0 mi 6.5
LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.1 mi 7.9
Lincoln School Saint Joseph 1.3 mi 4.5
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.3 mi 7.1
Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor 1.7 mi 6.9
BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor 2.5 mi 8.8
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph 2.0 mi 7.0
LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph 3.2 mi 7.6
Upton Middle School Saint Joseph 3.7 mi 5.8
Brown School Saint Joseph 3.4 mi 4.8
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph 4.0 mi 6.1
Clarke School Saint Joseph 4.1 mi 3.1
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Benton Harbor High School has a median household income of $39,859. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,500, with a median rent of $797/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alma Senior High School Alma, MI 6.7
Central High School Detroit, MI 6.7
Clinton High School Clinton, MI 6.7
Millington High School Millington, MI 6.7
Union High School Dowagiac, MI 6.7
Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education Ann Arbor, MI 6.7

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 is ranked #1275 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Benton Harbor High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Benton Harbor High School has a composite rating of 6.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Benton Harbor High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benton Harbor High School has 3.8% math proficiency and 3.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (7,440/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Benton Harbor). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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