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Average

#331 of 460 private schools in MI

River of Life School

Elementary School

671 MCALLISTER AVE, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

50

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Benton Harbor

#2 of 2

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#218 of 307

About River of Life School

River of Life School serves 50 students in grades kindergarten through sixth in Benton Harbor, Michigan. This small elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1 that allows for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks 256th among Michigan's 460 elementary schools, placing it in the 45th percentile statewide.

This performance demonstrates the school's commitment to providing quality education within its close-knit educational community. River of Life School's small size fosters a family-like atmosphere where students are known individually and can receive tailored support. The low student-teacher ratio creates opportunities for differentiated instruction and meaningful connections that can significantly impact student growth and development.

The school serves families in a community where the median household income is $36,647 and median home values are $130,700. About 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 33.8%. River of Life School operates in a small suburban setting that provides a quieter alternative to urban schooling while maintaining accessibility to broader community resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 50 students, River of Life School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, River of Life School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$4,587
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$3,636
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.79x — At Risk
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
22%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$120,923

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 50 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How River of Life School compares to 10 public schools serving similar grades in Benton Harbor, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
This School
vs
13.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
50
This School
vs
228
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.6
This School
vs
6.6
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Black 88% vs 0%
White 4% vs 0%
Hispanic 4% vs 0%
River of Life School Benton Harbor Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
River of Life School (this school) 5.6
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center 7.6
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy 5.4
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy 5.1
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary 6.6
Discovery Enrichment Center 6.5
Fair Plain Middle School 6.2
Fair Plain East Elementary 6.9
Riverside School 7.9
Countryside Academy Elementary 6.9
Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School 6.8

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,224
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 22%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 50
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MI

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Black 88.0%
White 4.0%
Hispanic 4.0%
Two or More 4.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

671 MCALLISTER AVE, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River of Life School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 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 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor 0.3 mi 6.7
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor 0.4 mi 7.6
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy Benton Harbor 0.6 mi 5.1
Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Benton Harbor 0.5 mi 5.4
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor 0.7 mi 6.6
Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor 0.7 mi 6.5
Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor 0.8 mi 6.5
Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor 1.3 mi 6.2
LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.3 mi 7.9
Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor 1.8 mi 6.9
Lincoln School Saint Joseph 1.6 mi 4.5
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 1.5 mi 7.1
BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor 2.7 mi 8.8
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph 2.3 mi 7.0
LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph 3.5 mi 7.6
Upton Middle School Saint Joseph 4.0 mi 5.8
Clarke School Saint Joseph 4.3 mi 3.1
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph 4.3 mi 6.1
Brown School Saint Joseph 3.7 mi 4.8
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 4.4 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 River of Life 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
HOLY GHOST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Monroe, MI 5.6
SALEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Owosso, MI 5.6
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chesaning, MI 5.6
COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ithaca, MI 5.5
EMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lansing, MI 5.7
IMLAY CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Imlay City, MI 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River of Life School

What grades does River of Life School serve?

River of Life School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend River of Life School?

River of Life School has an enrollment of approximately 50 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at River of Life School?

The student-teacher ratio at River of Life School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does River of Life School rank in MI?

River of Life School is ranked #331 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is River of Life School's MySchoolScout rating?

River of Life School has a composite rating of 5.6 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.

Is River of Life School a private school?

Yes, River of Life School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is River of Life School a religious school?

River of Life School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (7,440/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Benton Harbor). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
50
Gender Split
40% M / 60% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small Suburb
County
BERRIEN
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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