ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø

Dowagiac Union School District

243 S Front St
Dowagiac, MI 49047-1738
(District boundaries shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%

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 2025-26 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.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø 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
2,543 Schools
# Students
1,854 Students
953,596 Students
# Teachers
111 Teachers
58,881 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.
This School District
State Average (MI)
#588 out of 862 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
22%
35%
33%
45%
34%
38%
92%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

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.
This School District
This State (MI)
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 ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Elementary Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pathfinders Alternative Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
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%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
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%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
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%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
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%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
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%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
614 Spruce St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4450
Gr: K-5 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%

Recent Articles

Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.
Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools
Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.
NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here’s what parents and educators need to know.

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

Quick Links