Summary
Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School in Benton Harbor, MI, is a public charter school serving 386 students in grades 2 through 12, operating within the Countryside Academy district.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that academic proficiency rates are consistently well below state averages, especially in math, where most grade levels show proficiency in the single digits. For example, 6th grade math proficiency was just 6% compared to the state average of 31.9%, and 7th grade math was 5.56% versus 33.3%. Reading scores tell a similar story, with 6th grade ELA at 14% versus the state's 37.5%. There is one bright spot: 8th grade Social Studies proficiency jumped to 42.9%, much closer to the state average of 50.3%, showing that targeted instruction can make a difference. The school also has a high rate of students from low-income families, with about 76% eligible for free or reduced lunch.
Graduation and dropout rates are highly volatile, swinging dramatically from year to year. The graduation rate went from 91.4% in 2023-2024 down to 66.6% in 2024-2025, while the dropout rate spiked to 23.8%—more than three times the state average. This instability suggests that a single class of students can dramatically shift the school's overall metrics. Chronic absenteeism sits at 31.1%, which is above the state average of 27.9% but notably better than nearby alternative schools like Bert Goens Learning Center (60.6%) and Blossomland Learning Center (41.5%).
Compared to other local options, Berrien Springs Virtual Academy—just 9 miles away—achieves far better results with an 84.6% graduation rate and only 10.5% chronic absenteeism, though it serves a wealthier population. Countryside spends about $13,102 per student, which is higher than Berrien Springs' $5,755, yet outcomes remain lower. While the school faces significant challenges, its relatively stable attendance and the improvement seen in 8th grade Social Studies suggest that focused interventions could yield positive results for students who stay enrolled.
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