Average
#331 of 460 private schools in MI
River of Life School
Elementary School
671 MCALLISTER AVE, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
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
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow River of Life School compares to 10 public schools serving similar grades in Benton Harbor, MI
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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 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 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (269) 757-7549
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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