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Needs Improvement

#3041 of 3,192 schools in MI

Countryside Academy Elementary

Elementary School · Countryside Academy

4821 North Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Charter

Enrollment

380

Student-Teacher

20:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#3,041 of 3,192

In Benton Harbor

#9 of 12

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Countryside Academy

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Countryside Academy Elementary

3.4/10

Elementary School in Benton Harbor · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Countryside Academy Middlehigh School

5.5/10

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

Coloma High School

6.5/10

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

About Countryside Academy Elementary

Countryside Academy Elementary is a public elementary school in Benton Harbor, MI, part of Countryside Academy. Countryside Academy Elementary serves approximately 380 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. Countryside Academy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,041 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Countryside Academy Elementary show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.7 pts below MI schools
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Countryside Academy Elementary is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Countryside Academy Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

31% of students at Countryside Academy Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.96 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.2% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-27 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)18% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,487
Chronic Absenteeism31.3%

Countryside Academy Elementary — Students at Countryside Academy Elementary score 21% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 37.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
43.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 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
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
14.8%
ELA
26.5%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Countryside Academy Elementary Compares

See how Countryside Academy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
5th percentile in MI
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.3%

Location

4821 North Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Countryside Academy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Watervliet), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Watervliet), which scores notably higher. Additionally, River School (rated 5.9/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Sodus), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Benton Harbor, see our Benton Harbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School Benton Harbor 3.2 mi 5.5
Coloma High School Coloma 4.0 mi 6.5
Coloma Junior High School Coloma 4.0 mi 4.8
Coloma Elementary School Coloma 4.4 mi 4.3
Coloma Intermediate School Coloma 4.4 mi 3.8
Riverside School Benton Harbor 4.3 mi 5.1
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watervliet 4.1 mi 7.9
South Elementary School Watervliet 5.6 mi 6.0
Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor 5.2 mi 5.3
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor 5.3 mi 2.5
River School Sodus 6.6 mi 5.9
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor 5.5 mi 8.5
North Elementary School Watervliet 6.5 mi 6.0
Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor 5.9 mi 5.1
Watervliet Middle School Watervliet 6.4 mi 6.3
Watervliet Senior High School Watervliet 6.4 mi 6.0
WAY Watervliet High School Watervliet 6.4 mi 4.4
RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor 5.9 mi 5.6
Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor 6.2 mi 5.7
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy Benton Harbor 6.1 mi 4.3

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
AdamsYoung Building Detroit, MI 3.4
Central Elementary School White Pigeon, MI 3.4
Cesar E Chavez Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 3.4
Patricia St Clair Elementary School Hesperia, MI 3.4
Rawsonville Elementary School Ypsilanti, MI 3.4
Stone School Saginaw, MI 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Countryside Academy Elementary

What grades does Countryside Academy Elementary serve?

Countryside Academy Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Countryside Academy Elementary?

Countryside Academy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 380 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Countryside Academy Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Countryside Academy Elementary is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Countryside Academy Elementary rank in MI?

Countryside Academy Elementary ranks #3,041 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Countryside Academy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Countryside Academy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Countryside Academy Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Countryside Academy Elementary has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Countryside Academy Elementary a charter school?

Yes, Countryside Academy Elementary is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Countryside Academy Elementary a Title I school?

No, Countryside Academy Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Countryside Academy Elementary?

90.3% of students at Countryside Academy Elementary 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Berrien County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.3%

District

Countryside Academy
District Enrollment
752
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,487
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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