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Dowagiac Union School District

Item: Dowagiac Union School District
Rating: 4
Author: Public School Review

243 S Front St
Dowagiac, MI 49047-1738

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (269) 782-4402

www.dowagiacschools.org

Top Rankings

Dowagiac Union School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:

Overview

This School District

This State (MI)

# Schools

7 Schools

3,462 Schools

# Students

1,815 Students

1,367,533 Students

# Teachers

110 Teachers

82,879 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

17:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
Kind	118	122
1	131	111
2	130	115
3	160	117
4	162	115
5	165	116
6	138	116
7	132	117
8	125	118
9	157	127
10	175	124
11	108	121
12	112	126
Grade Not Listed	2	5

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District Rank

Dowagiac Union School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 844 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 92% has increased from 75-79% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (MI)

#588 out of 862 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District
2023	#588
2022	#592
2021	#632
2019	#655
2018	#591
2017	#644
2016	#616
2015	#594
2014	#504
2013	#529
2012	#521
2011	#472
2010	#524

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22%

35%

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	22%	35%
2022	21%	34%
2021	19%	36%
2019	21%	40%
2018	20%	37%
2017	24%	39%
2016	26%	38%
2015	26%	37%
2014	35%	41%
2013	31%	41%
2012	28%	37%
2011	80%	80%
2010	75%	78%

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33%

45%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2022	33%	45%
2021	31%	48%
2019	32%	49%
2018	20%	43%
2017	31%	49%
2016	34%	50%
2015	39%	49%
2014	64%	67%
2013	62%	65%
2012	59%	64%
2011	79%	80%
2010	78%	82%

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34%

38%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2022	34%	38%
2021	15%	23%

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92%

81.8%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	92%	81%
2022	67%	81%
2021	72%	84%
2020	77%	86%
2019	72%	85%
2018	77%	85%
2017	77%	85%
2016	77%	85%
2015	72%	85%
2014	72%	84%
2013	67%	84%
2012	62%	82%
2011	57%	81%

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(2022-23)

34.5%

33.3%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	34.5%	33.3%
2022	39.6%	41.4%
2021	57.7%	21.3%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.59

0.57

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	0.57	0.55
2022	0.58	0.55
2021	0.58	0.54
2020	0.58	0.53
2019	0.58	0.53
2018	0.56	0.53
2017	0.56	0.52
2016	0.57	0.50
2015	0.56	0.50
2014	0.56	0.50
2013	0.54	0.49
2012	0.51	0.49
2011	0.46	0.47
2010	0.47	0.46
2009	0.43	0.46
2008	0.45	0.46
2007	0.44	0.46
2006	0.44	0.44
2005	0.44	0.43
2004	0.41	0.43
2003	0.40	0.44
2002	0.41	0.43
2001	0.39	0.42
2000	0.40	0.40
1999	0.39	0.40
1998	0.40	0.40
1997	0.38	0.39
1996	0.39	0.39
1995	0.38	0.38
1994	0.38	0.37
1993	0.38	0.37
1992	0.37	0.37
1991	0.36	0.38
1990	0.38	0.36
1989	0.37	0.36
1988	0.36	0.36

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% American Indian

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	2%	1%
2022	2%	1%
2021	2%	1%
2020	2%	1%
2019	2%	1%
2018	2%	1%
2017	2%	1%
2016	1%	1%
2015	1%	1%
2014	2%	1%
2013	2%	1%
2012	3%	1%
2011	2%	1%
2010	3%	1%
2009	3%	1%
2008	4%	1%
2007	2%	1%
2006	3%	1%
2005	2%	1%
2004	2%	1%
2003	2%	2%
2002	1%	1%
2001	2%	1%
2000	2%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%
1997	2%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	2%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%
1990	1%	1%
1989	1%	1%
1988	1%	1%

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% Asian

n/a

View Data

Showing 1989–2011. Full 24-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2011)
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	3%
2009	1%	3%
2005	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
1995	1%	2%
1992	1%	1%
1990	1%	1%
1989	1%	1%
1988	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

20%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	17%	9%
2022	17%	9%
2021	17%	8%
2020	16%	8%
2019	16%	8%
2018	16%	8%
2017	16%	7%
2016	16%	7%
2015	16%	7%
2014	17%	7%
2013	16%	6%
2012	14%	6%
2011	12%	6%
2010	13%	5%
2009	11%	5%
2008	12%	5%
2007	12%	5%
2006	12%	4%
2005	13%	4%
2004	12%	4%
2003	11%	4%
2002	12%	4%
2001	10%	4%
2000	11%	3%
1999	11%	3%
1998	11%	3%
1997	10%	3%
1996	11%	3%
1995	10%	3%
1994	10%	2%
1993	9%	3%
1992	8%	3%
1991	8%	3%
1990	9%	2%
1989	8%	2%
1988	8%	2%

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% Black

18%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	9%	18%
2022	10%	18%
2021	10%	18%
2020	10%	18%
2019	10%	18%
2018	9%	18%
2017	9%	18%
2016	10%	18%
2015	10%	18%
2014	9%	18%
2013	10%	18%
2012	11%	19%
2011	11%	19%
2010	13%	20%
2009	12%	20%
2008	12%	20%
2007	13%	20%
2006	12%	20%
2005	11%	20%
2004	11%	20%
2003	11%	20%
2002	11%	20%
2001	11%	19%
2000	11%	19%
1999	11%	19%
1998	12%	19%
1997	11%	19%
1996	11%	18%
1995	11%	17%
1994	11%	17%
1993	12%	17%
1992	12%	17%
1991	12%	17%
1990	12%	18%
1989	12%	18%
1988	12%	18%

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% White

60%

63%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	62%	64%
2022	61%	64%
2021	61%	65%
2020	62%	66%
2019	62%	66%
2018	63%	66%
2017	63%	67%
2016	63%	68%
2015	64%	68%
2014	63%	68%
2013	65%	69%
2012	68%	69%
2011	72%	70%
2010	70%	71%
2009	73%	71%
2008	72%	71%
2007	73%	71%
2006	73%	72%
2005	73%	73%
2004	75%	73%
2003	76%	72%
2002	75%	73%
2001	76%	74%
2000	76%	75%
1999	77%	75%
1998	76%	75%
1997	77%	76%
1996	77%	76%
1995	77%	77%
1994	77%	78%
1993	78%	78%
1992	78%	78%
1991	79%	77%
1990	77%	78%
1989	78%	78%
1988	78%	78%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

11%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2023)
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	10%	5%
2022	10%	5%
2021	10%	5%
2020	10%	4%
2019	10%	4%
2018	10%	4%
2017	10%	4%
2016	10%	3%
2015	9%	3%
2014	9%	3%
2013	7%	3%
2012	4%	2%
2011	2%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $18,835 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,572. The school district revenue/student has grown by 12% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $18,132 is less than the state median of $21,839. The school district spending/student has grown by 16% over four school years.

This School District

This State (MI)

Total Revenue

$34 MM

$30,868 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	$34 MM	$15 MM
2022	$34 MM	$13 MM
2021	$29 MM	$12 MM
2020	$28 MM	$11 MM
2019	$28 MM	$11 MM
2018	$27 MM	$10 MM
2017	$26 MM	$10 MM
2016	$24 MM	$10 MM
2015	$23 MM	$11 MM
2014	$23 MM	$10 MM
2012	$22 MM	$10 MM
2011	$23 MM	$11 MM
2010	$23 MM	$11 MM
2009	$24 MM	$11 MM
2008	$24 MM	$11 MM
2007	$24 MM	$10 MM
2006	$24 MM	$10 MM
2005	$23 MM	$10 MM
2004	$23 MM	$10 MM
2003	$24 MM	$10 MM
2002	$22 MM	$10 MM
2001	$20 MM	$10 MM
2000	$20 MM	$9 MM
1999	$19 MM	$9 MM
1998	$19 MM	$10 MM
1997	$18 MM	$10 MM
1996	$17 MM	$10 MM
1995	$16 MM	$10 MM
1992	$13 MM	$8 MM
1990	$11 MM	$7 MM

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Spending

$33 MM

$29,866 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	$33 MM	$15 MM
2022	$31 MM	$13 MM
2021	$27 MM	$11 MM
2020	$31 MM	$11 MM
2019	$38 MM	$10 MM
2018	$38 MM	$10 MM
2017	$26 MM	$10 MM
2016	$23 MM	$10 MM
2015	$23 MM	$11 MM
2014	$23 MM	$9 MM
2012	$22 MM	$10 MM
2011	$22 MM	$10 MM
2010	$23 MM	$11 MM
2009	$23 MM	$11 MM
2008	$23 MM	$11 MM
2007	$24 MM	$11 MM
2006	$27 MM	$11 MM
2005	$31 MM	$10 MM
2004	$33 MM	$11 MM
2003	$25 MM	$11 MM
2002	$22 MM	$10 MM
2001	$21 MM	$10 MM
2000	$19 MM	$9 MM
1999	$19 MM	$10 MM
1998	$17 MM	$10 MM
1997	$17 MM	$10 MM
1996	$16 MM	$10 MM
1995	$16 MM	$10 MM
1992	$13 MM	$8 MM
1990	$11 MM	$7 MM

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Revenue / Student

$18,835

$22,572

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	$18,087	$20,540
2022	$16,769	$17,846
2021	$13,788	$15,927
2020	$12,904	$14,589
2019	$12,915	$14,099
2018	$12,339	$14,094
2017	$11,641	$13,305
2016	$10,476	$13,102
2015	$10,040	$11,681
2014	$10,025	$12,204
2012	$9,298	$12,235
2011	$9,770	$12,684
2010	$9,228	$11,681
2009	$9,162	$11,537
2008	$8,999	$11,222
2007	$9,098	$10,819
2006	$8,579	$9,793
2005	$8,535	$9,706
2004	$8,348	$9,471
2003	$8,252	$9,243
2002	$7,505	$8,687
2001	$7,140	$8,215
2000	$6,790	$7,511
1999	$6,524	$7,057
1998	$6,141	$7,001
1997	$5,673	$6,567
1995	$5,141	$6,044
1992	$4,041	$5,111
1990	$3,693	$4,212

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Spending / Student

$18,132

$21,839

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	$17,412	$19,990
2022	$15,582	$17,220
2021	$13,145	$15,085
2020	$14,135	$14,302
2019	$17,603	$13,858
2018	$17,383	$13,691
2017	$11,737	$13,192
2016	$10,360	$12,965
2015	$9,925	$11,849
2014	$9,683	$12,085
2012	$9,354	$12,141
2011	$9,185	$12,422
2010	$9,123	$11,849
2009	$8,861	$11,612
2008	$8,373	$11,334
2007	$9,034	$10,901
2006	$9,775	$10,200
2005	$11,340	$9,852
2004	$11,932	$9,880
2003	$8,797	$9,552
2002	$7,453	$8,745
2001	$7,432	$8,343
2000	$6,546	$7,542
1999	$6,232	$7,404
1998	$5,576	$7,125
1997	$5,355	$6,851
1995	$5,296	$5,989
1992	$4,015	$5,102
1990	$3,651	$4,194

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Best Dowagiac Union School District Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Pathfinders Alternative Education

Alternative School

(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

501 N Paul St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4471

Gr: 6-12 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 43%

Rank: #22.

Sister Lakes Elementary School

(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

68079 M 152
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4468

Gr: K-5 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%

Rank: #33.

Justus Gage Elementary School

(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

301 Oak St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4460

Gr: PK-5 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%

Rank: #44.

Kincheloe Elementary School

(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

25121 Gage St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4464

Gr: K-5 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%

Rank: #55.

Dowagiac Middle School

(Math: 19% | Reading: 35%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

57072 Riverside Dr
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4440

Gr: 6-8 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 43%

Rank: #66.

Union High School

(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

701 W Prairie Ronde St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4420

Gr: 9-12 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 42%

Rank: #77.

Patrick Hamilton Elementary School

(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

614 Spruce St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4450

Gr: K-5 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Dowagiac Union School District?

Dowagiac Union School District manages 7 public schools serving 1,815 students.

What is the rank of Dowagiac Union School District?

Dowagiac Union School District is ranked #585 out of 844 school districts in Michigan (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Michigan school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 10%) and 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, 20% of students are Hispanic, 11% 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 $18,132 is less than the state median of $21,839. The school district spending/student has grown by 16% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 7 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 1,815 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Minority Enrollment: 40%
: 92% (Top 10% in MI)
: Bottom 50%
: 22% (Btm 50%)
: 33% (Btm 50%)
: 34% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education