Bentley Community School District

The Bentley Community School District consists of 4 schools, including 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools (one of which is an alternative school) serving students in the local area. The district faces significant challenges, with consistently low academic performance, high levels of economic disadvantage, and attendance issues across the board.

The largest school in the district, Barhitte Elementary School, has the highest percentage of minority students and the highest rate of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage. However, Barhitte Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom quarter of Michigan elementary schools on standardized tests. In contrast, the district's alternative high school, Bentley High School BOLD Academy, has a much higher percentage of white students and spends significantly less per student, but also has extremely low graduation rates and a high dropout rate.

Across the district, schools struggle with low test scores, high chronic absenteeism rates, and low graduation rates, suggesting systemic issues that need to be addressed. The data highlights the stark differences between the traditional and alternative high schools, underscoring the need for more resources and support for these types of programs. Addressing the challenges faced by the Bentley Community School District will require a comprehensive, data-driven approach to improve outcomes for all students.