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
Enrollment
166
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.9
Grades
4th – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Fair Plain East Elementary — Students at Fair Plain East Elementary score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.3/10.
How Fair Plain East Elementary Compares
See how Fair Plain East Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 3% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 6% (2019) to 7.9% (2022).
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 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 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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (269) 605-2400
- 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
- #2 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
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