Average
#2488 of 3,190 schools in MI
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy
Elementary School · Mildred C. Wells Preparatory Academy
248 9TH ST, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Enrollment
215
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
215
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Benton Harbor
#12 of 12
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,275 of 1,602
About Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is a charter school located in the small suburban area of Benton Harbor, Michigan. The school serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 215 students with a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1. There are 11 full-time equivalent teachers at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy.
The academic performance of the school is rated at 2.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks in the 4th percentile among Michigan schools, placing it at number 3085 out of a total of 3204 schools statewide. In terms of proficiency rates, only 11% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 9% meet this standard in Math. Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is situated in an area that offers a close-knit community atmosphere.
While the school has room for academic growth, it focuses on student development and provides a supportive learning environment for its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy 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.
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy — Students at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy Compares
See how Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
248 9TH ST, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 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 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Benton Harbor | 0.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Lincoln School Saint Joseph | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| St Joseph High School Saint Joseph | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor | 3.2 mi | 8.8 |
| LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 3.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Brown School Saint Joseph | 3.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Upton Middle School Saint Joseph | 4.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph | 4.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Clarke School Saint Joseph | 4.8 mi | 3.1 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 4.9 mi | 5.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| Alcott School Pontiac, MI | 5.1 |
| CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sebewaing, MI | 5.1 |
| Coit Creative Arts Academy Grand Rapids, MI | 5.1 |
| Eastside Elementary School Constantine, MI | 5.1 |
| Freeman School Flint, MI | 5.1 |
| Jefferson School Ionia, MI | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy
What grades does Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy serve?
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy?
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 215 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy rank in MI?
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is ranked #2488 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy has 9.4% math proficiency and 11.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy a charter school?
Yes, Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy a Title I school?
No, Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy?
100.0% of students at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy 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
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 215
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Berrien County
- Phone
- (269) 926-2885
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mildred C. Wells Preparatory Academy- District Enrollment
- 215
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,751
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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