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Average

#1095 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 34% in state

Fair Plain East Elementary

Elementary School · Benton Harbor Area Schools

1995 UNION AVE FAIR PLAIN EAST ELEMENTARY, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Enrollment

166

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

6.9

Grades

4th – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Benton Harbor

#4 of 12

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#647 of 1,602

In district

#2 of 6

Benton Harbor Area Schools

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Fair Plain East Elementary

Fair Plain East Elementary serves 166 students in grades 4 and 5 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 supported by 14 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public elementary school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking an impressive #77 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile among Michigan elementary schools. The school operates within a community where families face economic challenges, with a median household income of $36,647 and a poverty rate of 33.8%.

Despite these circumstances, Fair Plain East Elementary's strong ranking suggests the school is effectively supporting student achievement and growth. The relatively small class sizes likely contribute to more individualized attention for each student. The school draws from a neighborhood where 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median home value is $130,700.

Located in Berrien County, Fair Plain East Elementary operates in a small suburban setting that serves a diverse community of nearly 30,000 residents in the surrounding area, providing students with both the benefits of suburban amenities and close-knit community connections.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 166 students, Fair Plain East Elementary 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.

While current test scores at Fair Plain East Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.9%
Math vs. State Avg-34.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.9 pts
Overall Proficiency5%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected-8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,698

Fair Plain East Elementary — Students at Fair Plain East Elementary score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 2.6%
School
State
34.1%
ELA Proficiency 6.2%
School
State
43.9%

Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
3%
ELA
6%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Fair Plain East Elementary Compares

See how Fair Plain East Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
66th percentile in MI
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

1995 UNION AVE FAIR PLAIN EAST ELEMENTARY, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fair Plain East Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Benton Harbor, see our Benton Harbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor 0.8 mi 6.2
BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor 1.0 mi 8.8
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor 1.8 mi 7.6
Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor 1.7 mi 6.7
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor 1.9 mi 6.6
RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor 1.8 mi 5.6
Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor 2.0 mi 6.5
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Benton Harbor 2.3 mi 5.4
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy Benton Harbor 2.4 mi 5.1
Clarke School Saint Joseph 2.5 mi 3.1
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 2.7 mi 5.5
Lincoln School Saint Joseph 2.1 mi 4.5
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor 2.6 mi 6.5
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph 2.8 mi 6.1
Upton Middle School Saint Joseph 2.7 mi 5.8
LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph 2.7 mi 7.9
LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph 2.6 mi 7.6
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 2.7 mi 7.1
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph 2.7 mi 7.0
River School Sodus 3.8 mi 4.2

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 Fair Plain East 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
Bad Axe Elementary School Bad Axe, MI 6.9
East Shore Leadership Academy Port Huron, MI 6.9
Emerson School Ionia, MI 6.9
Grandville Central Elementary School Grandville, MI 6.9
Jessie Rouse School Saginaw, MI 6.9
MUSKEGON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Muskegon, MI 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fair Plain East Elementary

What grades does Fair Plain East Elementary serve?

Fair Plain East Elementary serves students in grades 4th through 5th.

How many students attend Fair Plain East Elementary?

Fair Plain East Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 166 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fair Plain East Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Fair Plain East Elementary is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fair Plain East Elementary rank in MI?

Fair Plain East Elementary is ranked #1095 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Fair Plain East Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Fair Plain East 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 Fair Plain East Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fair Plain East Elementary has 2.6% math proficiency and 6.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fair Plain East Elementary a charter school?

No, Fair Plain East Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fair Plain East Elementary a Title I school?

No, Fair Plain East Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fair Plain East Elementary?

97.0% of students at Fair Plain East 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 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
4th – 5th
Enrollment
166
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
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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