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 2024-25 school year, there are 5 public elementary schools serving 1,320 students in Dowagiac Union School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Michigan.
Public Elementary Schools in Dowagiac Union School District have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Michigan public elementary school average of 37% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
7 Schools
2,569 Schools
# Students
1,890 Students
958,745 Students
# Teachers
111 Teachers
58,822 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
District Rank
Dowagiac Union School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 860 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
0.60
0.57
# American Indian Students
25 Students
6,642 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
1 Student
34,516 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
4%
# Hispanic Students
357 Students
84,947 Students
% Hispanic Students
19%
9%
# Black Students
142 Students
178,021 Students
% Black Students
8%
18%
# White Students
1,121 Students
600,854 Students
% White Students
59%
63%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
806 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
244 Students
52,145 Students
% of Two or more races Students
13%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
-
-
# Students in K Grade:
132
109,698
# Students in 1st Grade:
172
102,983
# Students in 2nd Grade:
159
99,656
# Students in 3rd Grade:
165
101,773
# Students in 4th Grade:
149
100,967
# Students in 5th Grade:
135
101,600
# Students in 6th Grade:
129
102,989
# Students in 7th Grade:
124
90,259
# Students in 8th Grade:
155
89,362
# Students in 9th Grade:
180
14,798
# Students in 10th Grade:
173
14,661
# Students in 11th Grade:
112
13,690
# Students in 12th Grade:
104
14,308
# Ungraded Students:
1
2,001
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,247 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,370. The school district revenue/student has grown by 18% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,537 is less than the state median of $17,559. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$29 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$28 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,247
$18,370
Spending / Student
$14,537
$17,559
Best Dowagiac Union School District Public Elementary Schools (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Justus Gage Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 274 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Kincheloe Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 221 students
Rank: #33.
Sister Lakes Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 181 students
Rank: #44.
Dowagiac Middle School
Magnet 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
| 408 students
Rank: #55.
Patrick Hamilton Elementary School
Magnet 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
| 236 students
Recent Articles
Vouchers for Special Education: Are They a Good Idea?
The article examines the pros and cons of using school vouchers for special education students. It discusses how vouchers can provide more educational options for families but also raises concerns about accountability, funding for public schools, and the implementation of special education laws in private school settings.
What is the Connection Between Home Values and School Performance?
This article explores the relationship between school performance and home values in neighborhoods. It discusses studies showing correlations between school expenditures, ratings, and housing prices, highlighting how this connection affects families' choices and contributes to educational disparities between communities.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
