Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School

4800 MEADOWBROOK RD
BENTON HARBOR, MI 49022

www.countrysideacademy.org

Charter School 386 Students

Other 2nd - 12th

School Overview

Countryside Academy, located in Benton Harbor, Michigan, is a public charter school that serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school distinguishes itself through a strong emphasis on agricultural science and environmental stewardship, often integrating these themes into its core curriculum. By leveraging its campus environment, the academy aims to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that connect academic concepts to real-world applications in nature and food systems.

The Middle/High School program at Countryside Academy focuses on preparing students for post-secondary success by fostering a supportive, community-oriented atmosphere. The school emphasizes character development alongside academic rigor, encouraging students to take an active role in their education. With its commitment to a unique, experience-based educational model, Countryside Academy serves as an alternative for families in the region who are seeking a curriculum that balances traditional studies with a focus on ecology and sustainable living.

386

Total Students

24.2

Full-Time Teachers

15.9

Student/Teacher Ratio

75.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School
Demographic	Student Count
White	36
Hispanic	119
Black	219
Asian	1
Two or More	9
Pacific Islander	2

Black
219 (56.7%)
Hispanic
119 (30.8%)
White
36 (9.3%)
Two or More
9 (2.3%)
Pacific Islander
2 (0.5%)
Asian
1 (0.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Other
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Countryside Academy
Phone:	(269)944-3319
Website:	http://www.countrysideacademy.org
Grade Range:	2nd - 12th
Total Students:	386
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	24.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	15.9
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	284
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	8

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 60

Grade 7 81

Grade 8 62

Grade 9 60

Grade 10 55

Grade 11 36

Grade 12 32