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 6 public elementary schools serving 1,324 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 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is equal to the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
7 Schools
2,544 Schools
# Students
1,854 Students
953,641 Students
# Teachers
111 Teachers
58,885 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
0.57
# American Indian Students
29 Students
6,574 Students
% American Indian Students
2%
1%
# Asian Students
2 Students
35,670 Students
% Asian Students
n/a
4%
# Hispanic Students
358 Students
87,214 Students
% Hispanic Students
19%
9%
# Black Students
130 Students
176,246 Students
% Black Students
7%
18%
# White Students
1,117 Students
592,590 Students
% White Students
60%
62%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
812 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
218 Students
53,732 Students
% of Two or more races Students
12%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
-
-
# Students in K Grade:
132
106,334
# 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
90,984
# Students in 8th Grade:
121
87,683
# Students in 9th Grade:
186
14,722
# Students in 10th Grade:
154
14,342
# Students in 11th Grade:
129
13,967
# Students in 12th Grade:
110
14,500
# Ungraded Students:
-
2,038
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 Elementary 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.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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
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