Countryside Academy Elementary

www.countrysideacademy.org

Charter School 406 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

School Overview

Countryside Academy, located in Benton Harbor, Michigan, is a tuition-free public charter school that serves students from kindergarten through the elementary grades. The academy distinguishes itself through a focus on an agricultural and environmental science-based curriculum. By integrating hands-on learning experiences with core academic subjects, the school aims to foster a deep appreciation for the natural world while meeting state educational standards.

The school places a strong emphasis on community involvement and character development, striving to provide a supportive environment that prepares students for future academic success. By utilizing its unique campus setting, Countryside Academy encourages students to engage in experiential learning—often incorporating gardening, outdoor exploration, and science-focused projects—to help them connect classroom lessons to real-world applications.

406

Total Students

19.0

Full-Time Teachers

21.4

Student/Teacher Ratio

78.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Countryside Academy Elementary
Demographic	Student Count
White	42
Hispanic	133
Black	211
Asian	1
Two or More	19

Black
211 (52.0 %)
Hispanic
133 (32.8 %)
White
42 (10.3 %)
Two or More
19 (4.7 %)
Asian
1 (0.2 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
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:	Pre-K - 5th
Total Students:	406
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	19.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	21.4
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	308
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	11

* 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

Kindergarten 84

Grade 1 53

Grade 2 68

Grade 3 60

Grade 4 60

Grade 5 81