Average
#1676 of 3,190 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
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
249
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benton Harbor
#10 of 12
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#209 of 497
In district
#6 of 6
Benton Harbor Area Schools
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Fair Plain Middle School
Fair Plain Middle School serves 249 students in grades 6 through 8 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.1 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #377 out of 3,204 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Michigan schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to supporting student achievement within the Benton Harbor community. Fair Plain Middle School operates as a regular public school, providing educational services to families in an area where the median household income is $36,647 and median home values average $130,700. The surrounding community of nearly 30,000 residents faces economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 33.8% and 18% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Despite serving a community with significant economic needs, Fair Plain Middle School has demonstrated its ability to support student growth and learning effectively. The school is situated in a small suburban setting within Berrien County, providing middle school students with a focused educational environment during these important transitional years.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Fair Plain Middle School 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
View breakdown
Fair Plain Middle School — Students at Fair Plain Middle School score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.4%
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
→ 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: 7.6/10.
How Fair Plain Middle School Compares
See how Fair Plain Middle School 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 declined from 8% (2019) to 5.83% (2022).
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 LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Benton Harbor, see our Benton Harbor schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 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 Middle School 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 |
|---|---|
| Gladstone Area Middle School Gladstone, MI | 6.2 |
| Hamady Middle School Flint, MI | 6.2 |
| Durand Middle School Durand, MI | 6.3 |
| Blissfield Middle School Blissfield, MI | 6.1 |
| Grass Lake Middle School Grass Lake, MI | 6.1 |
| Jonesville Middle School Jonesville, MI | 6.1 |
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 is ranked #1676 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Fair Plain Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fair Plain Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fair Plain Middle School has 2.3% math proficiency and 5.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (269) 605-1400
- 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
- #6 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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