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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

2,541 Schools

# Students

1,854 Students

953,504 Students

# Teachers

111 Teachers

58,876 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

17:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
Kind	132	120
1	128	114
2	167	116
3	160	113
4	169	115
5	139	114
6	132	115
7	127	103
8	121	99
9	9	17
10	17	16
11	13	16
12	10	16

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District Rank

Dowagiac Union School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 845 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

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

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22%

35%

View Data

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%

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33%

45%

View Data

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%

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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%

View Data

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%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.59

0.57

View Data

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	0.53
2016	0.57	0.52
2015	0.56	0.50
2014	0.56	0.50
2013	0.54	0.49
2012	0.51	0.49
2011	0.46	0.48
2010	0.47	0.47
2009	0.43	0.46
2008	0.45	0.46
2007	0.44	0.46
2006	0.44	0.43
2005	0.44	0.44
2004	0.41	0.43
2003	0.40	0.44
2002	0.41	0.42
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	0.37
1994	0.38	0.35
1993	0.38	0.35
1992	0.37	0.35
1991	0.36	0.37

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% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
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%	2%
2015	1%	1%
2014	2%	1%
2013	2%	2%
2012	3%	1%
2011	2%	1%
2010	3%	2%
2009	3%	1%
2008	4%	1%
2007	2%	2%
2006	3%	1%
2005	2%	2%
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%

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% Asian

n/a

View Data

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

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% Hispanic

19%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
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%	8%
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%	4%
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%	2%
1992	8%	2%
1991	8%	2%

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% Black

18%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
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%	18%
1996	11%	18%
1995	11%	18%
1994	11%	17%
1993	12%	17%
1992	12%	17%
1991	12%	17%

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% White

60%

62%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
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%	66%
2016	63%	67%
2015	64%	68%
2014	63%	69%
2013	65%	69%
2012	68%	69%
2011	72%	70%
2010	70%	70%
2009	73%	71%
2008	72%	71%
2007	73%	71%
2006	73%	73%
2005	73%	72%
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%	79%
1993	78%	79%
1992	78%	79%
1991	79%	78%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

12%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
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%	2%
2013	7%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $15,543 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,512. 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 $17,694. The school district spending/student has grown by 12% over four school years.

This School District

This State (MI)

Total Revenue

$29 MM

$25,476 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	$29 MM	$12 MM
2022	$28 MM	$11 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

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Spending

$28 MM

$24,351 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	$27 MM	$11 MM
2022	$31 MM	$11 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

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Revenue / Student

$15,543

$18,512

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	$15,247	$16,123
2022	$12,904	$14,589
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

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Spending / Student

$14,819

$17,694

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Dowagiac Union School District	Michigan
2023	$14,537	$15,270
2022	$14,135	$14,302
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

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Best Dowagiac Union School District Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)

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 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%

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 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%

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 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%

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 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%

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 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 42%

Rank: #66.

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 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 7 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 1,854 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