Top Rankings
Dowagiac Union School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 1,854 students in Dowagiac Union School District. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Michigan.
Public Schools in Dowagiac Union School District have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the Michigan public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
7 Schools
3,509 Schools
# Students
1,854 Students
1,376,331 Students
# Teachers
111 Teachers
82,379 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
District Rank
Dowagiac Union School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 851 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 65-69% has decreased from 75-79% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#592 out of 866 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
34%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
45%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
38%

Graduation Rate
65-69%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.59
0.56
# American Indian Students
29 Students
8,574 Students
% American Indian Students
2%
1%
# Asian Students
2 Students
50,770 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
4%
# Hispanic Students
358 Students
125,678 Students
% Hispanic Students
19%
9%
# Black Students
130 Students
244,434 Students
% Black Students
7%
18%
# White Students
1,117 Students
871,645 Students
% White Students
60%
63%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
1,208 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
218 Students
73,219 Students
% of Two or more races Students
12%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
-
-
# Students in K Grade:
132
110,461
# Students in 1st Grade:
128
100,790
# Students in 2nd Grade:
167
102,777
# Students in 3rd Grade:
160
100,401
# Students in 4th Grade:
169
101,847
# Students in 5th Grade:
139
101,136
# Students in 6th Grade:
132
102,120
# Students in 7th Grade:
127
103,285
# Students in 8th Grade:
121
102,692
# Students in 9th Grade:
186
114,669
# Students in 10th Grade:
154
112,993
# Students in 11th Grade:
129
109,871
# Students in 12th Grade:
110
109,317
# Ungraded Students:
-
3,972
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,543 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,510. The school district revenue/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,819 is less than the state median of $17,693. The school district spending/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$29 MM
$25,476 MM

Spending
$28 MM
$24,351 MM

Revenue / Student
$15,543
$18,510

Spending / Student
$14,819
$17,693

Best Dowagiac Union School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pathfinders Alternative Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
501 N Paul St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4471
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4471
Grades: 6-12
| 50 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Justus Gage Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
301 Oak St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4460
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4460
Grades: PK-5
| 283 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Kincheloe Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
25121 Gage St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4464
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4464
Grades: K-5
| 224 students
Rank: #44.
Union High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
701 W Prairie Ronde St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4420
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4420
Grades: 9-12
| 530 students
Rank: #55.
Sister Lakes Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
68079 M 152
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4468
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4468
Grades: K-5
| 168 students
Rank: #66.
Dowagiac Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
57072 Riverside Dr
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4440
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4440
Grades: 6-8
| 379 students
Rank: #77.
Patrick Hamilton Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
614 Spruce St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4450
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4450
Grades: K-5
| 220 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Dowagiac Union School District?
Dowagiac Union School District manages 7 public schools serving 1,854 students.
What is the rank of Dowagiac Union School District?
Dowagiac Union School District is ranked #593 out of 851 school districts in Michigan (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Michigan school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Dowagiac Union School District?
60% of Dowagiac Union School District students are White, 19% of students are Hispanic, 12% of students are Two or more races, 7% of students are Black, and 2% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Dowagiac Union School District?
Dowagiac Union School District has a student/teacher ratio of 17:1, which is equal to the Michigan state average of 17:1.
What is Dowagiac Union School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $14,819 is less than the state median of $17,693. The school district spending/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
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