Average
#1346 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 42% in state
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
6.6
Grades
1st – 3rd
Enrollment
234
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
1st – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benton Harbor
#7 of 12
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#779 of 1,602
In district
#4 of 6
Benton Harbor Area Schools
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Martin Luther King JR Elementary
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary serves 234 students in grades 1-3 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, offering a focused early elementary education experience. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1, providing students with more individualized attention during these crucial foundational years. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #78 out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile among Michigan schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to early childhood education and student development. Martin Luther King Jr Elementary serves a diverse community where the median household income is $36,647 and about 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school plays an important role in supporting families in an area where economic challenges are present, with a local poverty rate of 33.8%.
As a regular public elementary school focusing exclusively on the primary grades, Martin Luther King Jr Elementary provides students with a solid educational foundation during their earliest school years. The school is situated in a small suburban setting in Berrien County, serving the Benton Harbor community with dedicated early elementary programming.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Martin Luther King JR 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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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: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 8 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: 8.2/10.
How Martin Luther King JR Elementary Compares
See how Martin Luther King JR Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
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 slightly higher. Additionally, TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Benton Harbor, see our Benton Harbor schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 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 Martin Luther King JR 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 |
|---|---|
| Blue Star Elementary School Holland, MI | 6.6 |
| East Elementary School Cheboygan, MI | 6.6 |
| Estabrook Elementary Ypsilanti, MI | 6.6 |
| John F FarrellEmmett Elementary School Emmett, MI | 6.6 |
| Knudsen Elementary School Waterford, MI | 6.6 |
| Marble School East Lansing, MI | 6.6 |
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 is ranked #1346 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Martin Luther King JR Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Martin Luther King JR Elementary has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Martin Luther King JR Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Martin Luther King JR Elementary has 2.5% math proficiency and 2.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (269) 605-1500
- 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
- #4 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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