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Needs Improvement

#3169 of 3,192 schools in MI

Martin Luther King JR Elementary

Elementary School · Benton Harbor Area Schools

750 E BRITAIN AVE, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Enrollment

234

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

2.5

Grades

1st – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#3,169 of 3,192

In Benton Harbor

#10 of 12

public schools

In district

#5 of 6

Benton Harbor Area Schools

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Martin Luther King JR Elementary

2.5/10

Elementary School in Benton Harbor · grades 1st – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Discovery Enrichment Center

5.3/10

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

Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center

8.5/10

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

About Martin Luther King JR Elementary

Martin Luther King JR Elementary is a public elementary school in Benton Harbor, MI, part of Benton Harbor Area Schools. Martin Luther King JR Elementary serves approximately 234 students, and covers grades 1st-3rd, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Martin Luther King JR Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,169 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Martin Luther King JR Elementary show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 2.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.3
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

90% of students at Martin Luther King JR Elementary 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 Progress1.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-5.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-39.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-39.4 pts
Overall Proficiency3% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,734
Chronic Absenteeism90.2%

Martin Luther King JR Elementary — Students at Martin Luther King JR Elementary score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.9% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 24.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.9% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 26 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
82%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
9%
ELA
26%
2013
Math
13%
ELA
35%
2014
Math
7%
ELA
16%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
15%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Martin Luther King JR Elementary Compares

See how Martin Luther King JR Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.5/10
1th percentile in MI
Academic
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.4/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
90.2%

Location

750 E BRITAIN AVE, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Martin Luther King JR Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.1 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 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor 0.1 mi 5.3
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor 0.3 mi 8.5
RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor 0.7 mi 5.6
Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor 0.9 mi 5.7
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy Benton Harbor 1.0 mi 4.3
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Benton Harbor 1.1 mi 2.4
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor 1.3 mi 5.0
Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor 1.7 mi 2.3
Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor 1.9 mi 5.1
LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.9 mi 7.9
Lincoln School Saint Joseph 2.2 mi 6.4
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 2.1 mi 7.1
BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor 2.9 mi 8.8
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph 3.0 mi 7.3
Clarke School Saint Joseph 4.4 mi 5.5
LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph 4.0 mi 7.6
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 4.6 mi 5.5
Upton Middle School Saint Joseph 4.4 mi 7.8
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph 4.6 mi 6.0
Brown School Saint Joseph 4.3 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
Martin Luther King Jr Education Center Academy Detroit, MI 2.5
Ralph J Bunche Academy Ecorse, MI 2.5
Academy for Business and Technology Elementary Dearborn, MI 2.4
Alcott School Pontiac, MI 2.4
DoyleRyder School Flint, MI 2.4
Eisenhower School Flint, MI 2.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Martin Luther King JR Elementary

What grades does Martin Luther King JR Elementary serve?

Martin Luther King JR Elementary serves students in grades 1st through 3rd.

How many students attend Martin Luther King JR Elementary?

Martin Luther King JR Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 234 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King JR Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Martin Luther King JR Elementary is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Martin Luther King JR Elementary rank in MI?

Martin Luther King JR Elementary ranks #3,169 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Martin Luther King JR Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Martin Luther King JR Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 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 Martin Luther King JR Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Martin Luther King JR Elementary has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Martin Luther King JR Elementary a charter school?

No, Martin Luther King JR Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Martin Luther King JR Elementary a Title I school?

No, Martin Luther King JR Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Martin Luther King JR Elementary?

94.9% of students at Martin Luther King JR 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 3rd
Enrollment
234
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
94.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Berrien County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
90.2%

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