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Needs Improvement

#3182 of 3,192 schools in MI

Fair Plain Middle School

Middle School · Benton Harbor Area Schools

120 E NAPIER AVE, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Enrollment

249

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

2.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#3,182 of 3,192

In Benton Harbor

#12 of 12

public schools

In district

#6 of 6

Benton Harbor Area Schools

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Fair Plain Middle School

2.3/10

Middle School in Benton Harbor · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fair Plain East Elementary

5.1/10

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

Benton Harbor High School

5.7/10

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

About Fair Plain Middle School

Fair Plain Middle School is a public middle school in Benton Harbor, MI, part of Benton Harbor Area Schools. Fair Plain Middle School serves approximately 249 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Fair Plain Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 out of 10 and ranks #3,182 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Fair Plain Middle School show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.6 pts below MI schools
  • This school 2.3 · Needs Improvement
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

98% of students at Fair Plain Middle School 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 Progress1.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency5.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-26.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-32.2 pts
Overall Proficiency4% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,734
Chronic Absenteeism98.4%

Fair Plain Middle School — Students at Fair Plain Middle School score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 23.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
45.4% (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
92%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
14%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
13%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
7%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
2%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
3%
ELA
6%
2016
Math
5%
ELA
13%
2017
Math
2%
ELA
6%
2018
Math
3%
ELA
8%
2019
Math
3%
ELA
8%
2020*
Math
0.5%
ELA
4%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
4%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
5.7%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Fair Plain Middle School Compares

See how Fair Plain Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.3/10
0th percentile in MI
Academic
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
98.4%

Location

120 E NAPIER AVE, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fair Plain Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center (rated 8.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Benton Harbor, see our Benton Harbor schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor 0.8 mi 5.1
Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor 1.1 mi 5.7
RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor 1.3 mi 5.6
BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor 1.4 mi 8.8
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor 1.4 mi 8.5
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Benton Harbor 1.7 mi 2.4
Lincoln School Saint Joseph 1.3 mi 6.4
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor 1.7 mi 2.5
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy Benton Harbor 1.8 mi 4.3
Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor 1.8 mi 5.3
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor 2.0 mi 5.0
LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.9 mi 7.9
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.9 mi 7.1
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph 1.9 mi 7.3
LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph 2.3 mi 7.6
Upton Middle School Saint Joseph 2.7 mi 7.8
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph 3.0 mi 6.0
Clarke School Saint Joseph 3.0 mi 5.5
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 3.1 mi 5.5
Brown School Saint Joseph 2.9 mi 7.0

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
Comstock Middle School Kalamazoo, MI 2.7
Hudson Middle School Hudson, MI 2.7
LincolnKing AdamsYoung 68 Detroit, MI 2.9
Mt Morris Middle School Mount Morris, MI 3.1
Northwestern Middle School Battle Creek, MI 3.2
South Lake Middle School Saint Clair Shores, MI 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fair Plain Middle School

What grades does Fair Plain Middle School serve?

Fair Plain Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Fair Plain Middle School?

Fair Plain Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 249 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fair Plain Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fair Plain Middle School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fair Plain Middle School rank in MI?

Fair Plain Middle School ranks #3,182 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Fair Plain Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fair Plain Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 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 Fair Plain Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fair Plain Middle School has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Fair Plain Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Fair Plain Middle School a Title I school?

No, Fair Plain Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fair Plain Middle School?

96.4% of students at Fair Plain Middle School 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
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
249
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Berrien County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
98.4%

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