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Needs Improvement

#3099 of 3,190 schools in MI

Berrien Springs Discovery Academy

High School · Berrien Springs Public Schools

242 SYLVESTER AVE, Berrien Sprgs, MI 49103

Enrollment

92

Student-Teacher

92:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan high schools

#788 of 812

In district

#8 of 8

Berrien Springs Public Schools

About Berrien Springs Discovery Academy

Berrien Springs Discovery Academy is an alternative high school located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, offering education to students from ninth through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 92 students and a single full-time equivalent teacher, the student-to-teacher ratio stands at 92:1. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 1.7 out of 10 places it in the lowest percentile among Michigan schools, with an academic score of 1.6/10 indicating areas for improvement in educational performance.

On standardized tests, only 20% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and just 10% reach proficiency in Math. Despite these challenges, Berrien Springs Discovery Academy focuses on providing a supportive environment tailored to the needs of its diverse student body. The school is situated in a town that lies on the edge of an urban area, offering students a blend of small-town charm and proximity to city resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 92 students, Berrien Springs Discovery Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Berrien Springs Discovery Academy is 92:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-13.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.5Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio92:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,591

Berrien Springs Discovery Academy — Students at Berrien Springs Discovery Academy score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Berrien Springs Discovery Academy Compares

See how Berrien Springs Discovery Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
3th percentile in MI
Academic
2.4/10
2.4/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
1.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
92:1 student-teacher ratio
1 teachers

Location

242 SYLVESTER AVE, Berrien Sprgs, MI 49103

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Berrien Springs Discovery Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ANDREWS ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Berrien Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eau Claire High School (rated 7.4/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Eau Claire), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Buchanan High School (rated 6.4/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Buchanan), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Berrien Sprgs, see our Berrien Sprgs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Berrien Springs High School Berrien Springs 0.1 mi 5.1
Mars Elementary School Berrien Springs 0.1 mi 7.5
VILLAGE SDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Berrien Springs 0.1 mi 5.9
Sylvester Elementary School Berrien Springs 0.3 mi 7.9
Berrien Springs Virtual Academy Berrien Springs 0.3 mi 7.7
Berrien Springs Middle School Berrien Springs 0.3 mi 6.9
Blossomland Learning Center Berrien Springs 0.5 mi 8.5
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Berrien Springs 0.6 mi 5.8
ANDREWS ACADEMY Berrien Springs 1.0 mi 7.5
GRIGGS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Berrien Springs 1.3 mi 3.4
Berrien County Juvenile Center Saint Joseph 2.2 mi
Eau Claire High School Eau Claire 3.1 mi 7.4
Eau Claire Middle School Eau Claire 3.1 mi 5.7
Lybrook Elementary School Eau Claire 3.3 mi 7.8
WAY Eau Claire Eau Claire 3.5 mi
River School Sodus 7.0 mi 4.2
Moccasin Elementary School Buchanan 7.8 mi 8.3
Buchanan Middle School Buchanan 7.8 mi 6.8
Ottawa Elementary School Buchanan 8.1 mi 7.0
Buchanan High School Buchanan 8.4 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,888

Median Home Value

$224,500

Median Rent

$878/mo

Population

11,257

College Educated

52.4%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

17.9%

Median Age

37.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Berrien Springs Discovery Academy has a median household income of $61,888. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,500, with a median rent of $878/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Ackerson High School Napoleon, MI 3.7
VERITAS CHRISTI CATHOLIC H.S. Ann Arbor, MI 3.7
Harper Academy Harper Woods, MI 3.5
Kensington Woods Schools Lakeland, MI 4.3
Hope Academic Academy Ecorse, MI 4.5
Maple Grove Alternative High School Brownstown, MI 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Berrien Springs Discovery Academy

What grades does Berrien Springs Discovery Academy serve?

Berrien Springs Discovery Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Berrien Springs Discovery Academy?

Berrien Springs Discovery Academy has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Berrien Springs Discovery Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Berrien Springs Discovery Academy is 92:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Berrien Springs Discovery Academy rank in MI?

Berrien Springs Discovery Academy is ranked #3099 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Berrien Springs Discovery Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Berrien Springs Discovery Academy has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Berrien Springs Discovery Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Berrien Springs Discovery Academy has 10.0% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Berrien Springs Discovery Academy a charter school?

No, Berrien Springs Discovery Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Berrien Springs Discovery Academy a Title I school?

No, Berrien Springs Discovery Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Berrien Springs Discovery Academy?

81.5% of students at Berrien Springs Discovery Academy 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

County Safety
Average (378/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher Ratio
92:1
Teachers (FTE)
1
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Town
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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