Below Average
#2791 of 3,192 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
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
215
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,791 of 3,192
In Benton Harbor
#8 of 12
public schools
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Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy
Elementary School in Benton Harbor · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is a public elementary school in Benton Harbor, MI, part of Mildred C. Wells Preparatory Academy. Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy serves approximately 215 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio.
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,791 of 3,192 schools in MI. Structured state assessment records for Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
60% of students at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 40 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: 5.0/10.
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
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 | 2.4 |
| Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor | 0.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor | 1.0 mi | 2.5 |
| Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| 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 | 2.3 |
| Lincoln School Saint Joseph | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| St Joseph High School Saint Joseph | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| Upton Middle School Saint Joseph | 4.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph | 4.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Clarke School Saint Joseph | 4.8 mi | 5.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Edgewood Elementary Academy Muskegon Heights, MI | 4.3 |
| Fulton Elementary School Middleton, MI | 4.3 |
| Island City Academy Eaton Rapids, MI | 4.3 |
| Lincoln International Studies School Kalamazoo, MI | 4.3 |
| Peck Community Elem School Peck, MI | 4.3 |
| Pullman Elementary School Bloomingdale, MI | 4.3 |
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 ranks #2,791 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 59.5%
- Phone
- (269) 926-2885
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
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