Elementary school (grades K-5) · Benton Harbor, MI
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy
Federal NCES profile for Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 21/100.
The verdict
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy earns 21/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 96% of Michigan schools. It is also less racially and ethnically mixed than most Michigan schools.
- #3 of 4
- elementary schools in Benton Harbor · Resource Index
- 21
- Resource Index · Lower
- 32.4:1
- large classes for Michigan
- 100.0%
- free-lunch eligible
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy has class sizes larger than 96% of Michigan schools. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy ranks #3 of 4 elementary schools in Benton Harbor, MI.
School address
NCES ID 260029701848 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-2 students YoY
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy held near 215 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-2 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 7.7 → 11.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-2 students YoY 260029701848 · Benton Harbor, MI Elementary · SMALL · CHARTER
227 enr · 32.4:1 · 100.0% lunch · RII 21
Nearest enrollment peer: Barbour County Intermediate School (227 students)
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy held near 215 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-2 headcount). Teacher FTE added 7.7 → 11.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
How Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy compares
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Michigan and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Michigan | Michigan avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 32.4:1 | ▲ 85% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 100.0% | ▲ 84% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 227 | top 72% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
Equity indicators methodology
Student demographics
Largest group: African American at 97.4% of enrollment.
Simpson diversity index - at 5.1, Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is less mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
District finance for Mildred C. Wells Preparatory Academy reports $12,751 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
Nationwide elementary 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 (~227 students)
Frequently asked questions about Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy
How many students attend Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy?
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy has 227 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Benton Harbor, MI. CCD year-over-year: 217 (2022-23) → 215 (2023-24), nearly flat (-2).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is 32.4:1, which is 85% higher than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 106% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy?
100.0% of students at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy?
The largest demographic group at Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is African American at 97.4% of enrollment, in Benton Harbor, MI.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy?
Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy has a Resource Investment Index of 21/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy rank among elementary schools in Benton Harbor?
By Resource Investment Index, Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy ranks #3 of 4 elementary 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 elementary schools in Benton Harbor on the city page.
What other schools are in Mildred C. Wells Preparatory Academy?
None; Mildred C. Wells Preparatory Academy is a single-school charter district, and Mildred C Wells Preparatory Academy is its only campus.