Benton Harbor Charter School Academy

Benton Harbor Charter School Academy is an alternative public magnet charter school serving grades PK-9 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, with 455 students. The school serves a predominantly economically disadvantaged student population, with 89.23% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

Despite spending significantly more per student than the state average, ranging from $9,117 to $14,020 over the past few years, Benton Harbor Charter School Academy faces significant challenges. The school has extremely high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 29.5% to 71.5% over the past few school years, which is much higher than the state average. Academically, students perform well below state averages on standardized tests across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2024-2025, only 10.5% of 4th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 42.4%. Math proficiency rates were similarly low, with only 6.52% of 3rd graders and 7.89% of 4th graders meeting proficiency standards, compared to state averages of 42.7% and 39.4% respectively.

While Benton Harbor Charter School Academy is an alternative school, it performs significantly worse than other nearby alternative schools like North Pointe Center, Berrien Springs Virtual Academy, and Blossomland Learning Center on key metrics such as graduation rates, dropout rates, and academic performance. Addressing the underlying socioeconomic challenges faced by students and their families may be crucial for improving attendance and academic outcomes at Benton Harbor Charter School Academy.