Summary:
The city of Benton Harbor, Michigan is home to 13 schools, including 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and 3 alternative schools. The schools in this area face significant challenges, with stark disparities in academic performance and outcomes across the district.
While a few schools, such as Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School and Riverside School, stand out with relatively higher test scores, graduation rates, and lower dropout rates, the majority of the schools, especially the high schools and middle schools, struggle with low proficiency levels, high absenteeism, and poor graduation rates. This divide is likely linked to the high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a strong correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance.
The data also suggests that location and district-level factors may play a role in the disparities observed, as schools within the Benton Harbor Area Schools district generally perform worse than the school in the neighboring Hagar Township S/D #6 district. The presence of charter and alternative schools, such as Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School and Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan, suggests that families in Benton Harbor are seeking educational options beyond the traditional public school system, highlighting the potential benefits of school choice.
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