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
Enrollment
51
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2018-19)
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.
Funding & Resources
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (269) 605-1900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.