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Very Good

#584 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 18% in state

Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center

School · Benton Harbor Area Schools

636 PIPESTONE ST, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Enrollment

51

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Benton Harbor

#2 of 12

public schools

Michigan schools

#84 of 279

In district

#1 of 6

Benton Harbor Area Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center

Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center serves 51 students in grades K-12 as an alternative school in Benton Harbor, Michigan. With just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, allowing for highly individualized attention and personalized learning approaches. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #79 out of 3,204 schools statewide and placing in the 98th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10.

This outstanding performance reflects the school's specialized approach to serving students who may benefit from alternative educational pathways and smaller learning environments. The intimate school size creates opportunities for close mentorship and tailored instruction across all grade levels, from kindergarten through high school. The alternative school model appears particularly effective here, providing students with educational options that might better suit their individual learning needs and circumstances.

Located on Pipestone Street in Benton Harbor's small suburban setting, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $36,647 and about 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees. The school's success in this environment demonstrates its commitment to providing quality educational alternatives within Berrien County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 51 students, Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.5Above Average33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected+9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College Readiness7.1Very Good40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,698

Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center — Students at Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2018-19)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

How Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Compares

See how Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
82th percentile in MI
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

636 PIPESTONE ST, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. Lighthouse Education Center (rated 6.1/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), a more accessible option. Additionally, Benton Harbor Charter School Academy (rated 5.4/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Benton Harbor, see our Benton Harbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor 0.3 mi 6.6
Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor 0.4 mi 6.5
RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor 0.4 mi 5.6
Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor 0.6 mi 6.7
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy Benton Harbor 0.8 mi 5.1
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Benton Harbor 0.9 mi 5.4
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor 1.1 mi 6.5
Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor 1.4 mi 6.2
Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor 1.8 mi 6.9
LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.7 mi 7.9
Lincoln School Saint Joseph 1.9 mi 4.5
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.9 mi 7.1
BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor 2.7 mi 8.8
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph 2.7 mi 7.0
LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph 3.7 mi 7.6
Clarke School Saint Joseph 4.3 mi 3.1
Upton Middle School Saint Joseph 4.2 mi 5.8
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 4.4 mi 5.5
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph 4.4 mi 6.1
Brown School Saint Joseph 4.0 mi 4.8

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 Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center 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
BLUE WATER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smiths Creek, MI 7.5
Edison Ferndale, MI 7.5
METROPOLITAN JUNIOR ACADEMY Plymouth, MI 7.5
Jardon Vocational School Ferndale, MI 7.7
Kennedy Learning Center Southfield, MI 7.7
Kent ISD Deaf and Hard of Hearing Grand Rapids, MI 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center

What grades does Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center serve?

Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center?

Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center has an enrollment of approximately 51 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center rank in MI?

Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center is ranked #584 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center a charter school?

No, Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center a Title I school?

No, Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center?

94.1% of students at Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center 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
49 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (7,440/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
51
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.1%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Berrien County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Benton Harbor Area Schools
District Enrollment
1,314
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,734
District Rank
#1 of 6

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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