Average
#1074 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 34% in state
Countryside Academy Elementary
Elementary School · Countryside Academy
4821 North Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benton Harbor
#3 of 12
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#638 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 2
Countryside Academy
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Countryside Academy Elementary
Countryside Academy Elementary is a charter school located in Benton Harbor, Michigan, situated in a rural area near the town. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 380 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, Countryside Academy focuses on providing individualized attention to its students.
Academically, the school has room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2034 out of 3204 schools in Michigan (36th percentile). The academic score is 2.8/10, with only 25% proficiency or above in ELA/reading and 14% proficiency or above in math across all grades. Countryside Academy Elementary offers a rural setting that fosters community engagement and support.
What Parents Should Know
Countryside Academy Elementary is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Countryside Academy Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Countryside Academy Elementary — Students at Countryside Academy Elementary score 21% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.9/10.
How Countryside Academy Elementary Compares
See how Countryside Academy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 14.82% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 27.17% (2022).
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. Riverside School (rated 7.9/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Fair Plain East Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 5.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Martin Luther King Jr Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 5.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Benton Harbor, see our Benton Harbor schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 miNeighborhood 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 Countryside Academy Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Arrowwood Elementary School Saginaw, MI | 6.9 |
| Atherton Elementary School Burton, MI | 6.9 |
| Bow ElementaryMiddle School Detroit, MI | 6.9 |
| Brick Elementary School Ypsilanti, MI | 6.9 |
| Browning Elementary School Sterling Heights, MI | 6.9 |
| Bushnell Elementary School Lowell, MI | 6.9 |
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 is ranked #1074 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Countryside Academy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Countryside Academy Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Countryside Academy Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Countryside Academy Elementary has 13.9% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 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
- Phone
- (269) 944-3319
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Countryside Academy- District Enrollment
- 752
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,487
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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
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