📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2021–22 for most districts), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
All 13 Rated Districts in Berrien County, MI
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
| County Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New Buffalo Area School District | New Buffalo | 10/10 Excellent | 98th |
| #2 | Lakeshore School District | Stevensville | 10/10 Excellent | 93rd |
| #3 | Bridgman Public Schools | Bridgman | 10/10 Excellent | 92nd |
| #4 | St. Joseph Public Schools | Saint Joseph | 10/10 Excellent | 91st |
| #5 | Buchanan Community School District | Buchanan | 9/10 Excellent | 81st |
| #6 | River Valley School District | Three Oaks | 7/10 Good | 66th |
| #7 | Niles Community School District | Niles | 6/10 Average | 52nd |
| #8 | Berrien Springs Public Schools | Berrien Springs | 6/10 Average | 51st |
| #9 | Watervliet School District | Watervliet | 5/10 Average | 49th |
| #10 | Coloma Community Schools | Coloma | 2/10 Poor | 18th |
| #11 | Hagar Township School District 6 | Riverside | 2/10 Poor | 17th |
| #12 | Eau Claire Public Schools | Eau Claire | 1/10 Poor | 8th |
| #13 | Benton Harbor Area Schools | Benton Harbor | 1/10 Poor | 1st |
Best School Districts in Berrien County, Michigan (2026)
This page lists the 13 public school districts headquartered in Berrien County, Michigan that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using EDFacts 2021–22 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in Michigan, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Berrien County may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Berrien County, Michigan? ▼
Among the 13 rated districts in Berrien County, Michigan, the highest-rated is New Buffalo Area School District (New Buffalo), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 98th percentile of Michigan districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (EDFacts 2021–22), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in Michigan and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.