- Enrollment
- 386
- Students per teacher
- 17.5:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Benton Harbor, MI
Countryside Academy Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Countryside Academy Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 15/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 260014201700Charter school
👥 S:T ratio 15
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Countryside Academy Elementary earns 15/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 86% of Michigan schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Michigan schools.
- #4 of 5
- schools in Benton Harbor · Resource Index
- 15
- Resource Index · Lower
- 21.3:1
- large classes for Michigan
- 88.4%
- free-lunch eligible
Countryside Academy Elementary has class sizes larger than 86% of Michigan schools. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Countryside Academy Elementary ranks #4 of 5 schools in Benton Harbor, MI.
School address
District: Countryside Academy · Michigan
NCES ID 260014201700 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-26 students YoY
Countryside Academy Elementary shrank from 406 students in 2022-23 to 380 in 2023-24 (-6.4%).
Teacher FTE added 19.0 → 19.6 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-26 students YoY 260014201700 · Benton Harbor, MI Other · SMALL · CHARTER
384 enr · 21.3:1 · 88.4% lunch · RII 15
Nearest enrollment peer: Countryside Academy Middlehigh School (386 students)
Countryside Academy Elementary shrank from 406 students in 2022-23 to 380 in 2023-24 (-6.4%). Teacher FTE added 19.0 → 19.6 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
How Countryside Academy Elementary compares
Countryside Academy Elementary is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Michigan and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Michigan | Michigan avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 21.3:1 | ▲ 22% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 88.4% | ▲ 63% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 384 | top 44% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
21.3:1
Leaner classes than 12% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
384
Bigger than 45% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
88.4%
free-lunch eligible
- 63% above the Michigan average of 54.3%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
21.3:1
students per teacher
- 22% above state mean
Top 86% in Michigan - lower ratio than 14% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
44.3%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$13,487
per pupil, district-wide
- below Michigan avg of $15,012
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 28 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 7.3 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 55.5%
Hispanic or Latino 32.6%
White 7.0%
Two or More 4.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%
Largest group: African American at 55.5% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 57.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 57.9, Countryside Academy Elementary is more mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
District finance for Countryside Academy reports $13,487 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Countryside Academy Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countryside Academy Middlehigh School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Countryside Academy Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
Similar other schools in Benton Harbor
1 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~384 students)
Frequently asked questions about Countryside Academy Elementary
How many students attend Countryside Academy Elementary?
Countryside Academy Elementary has 384 students enrolled. It is a public school in Benton Harbor, MI. CCD year-over-year: 406 (2022-23) → 380 (2023-24), down 26.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Countryside Academy Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Countryside Academy Elementary is 21.3:1, which is 22% higher than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 36% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Countryside Academy Elementary?
88.4% of students at Countryside Academy Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Countryside Academy Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Countryside Academy Elementary is African American at 55.5% of enrollment, in Benton Harbor, MI. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 57.9/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Countryside Academy Elementary?
Countryside Academy Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 15/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Countryside Academy Elementary rank among schools in Benton Harbor?
By Resource Investment Index, Countryside Academy Elementary ranks #4 of 5 schools in Benton Harbor, MI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Benton Harbor on the city page.
What other schools are in Countryside Academy?
Besides Countryside Academy Elementary, Countryside Academy also operates Countryside Academy Middlehigh School (386 students). See the Countryside Academy district page for the complete list.