Top Rankings
Dowagiac Union School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
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 24% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 35%), 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
Student By Grade
District Rank
Dowagiac Union School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 846 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.
Overall District Rank
#588 out of 862 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
38%
Graduation Rate
92%
81%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.59
0.57
% American Indian
2%
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
19%
9%
% Black
7%
18%
% White
60%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
12%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
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
Quick Facts
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
Gr: 6-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #22.
Sister Lakes Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
68079 M 152
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4468
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4468
Gr: K-5 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #33.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #44.
Kincheloe Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
25121 Gage St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4464
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4464
Gr: K-5 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #55.
Dowagiac Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
57072 Riverside Dr
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4440
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4440
Gr: 6-8 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #66.
Patrick Hamilton Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
614 Spruce St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4450
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4450
Gr: K-5 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
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