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 2026 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 1,815 students in Dowagiac Union School District. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Michigan.
Public Schools in Dowagiac Union School District have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
7 Schools
3,470 Schools
# Students
1,815 Students
1,369,382 Students
# Teachers
110 Teachers
82,971 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 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.
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
20%
9%
% Black
7%
18%
% White
60%
63%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
11%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,877 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,604. The school district revenue/student has grown by 23% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,137 is less than the state median of $17,782. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$29 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$28 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,877
$18,604
Spending / Student
$15,137
$17,782
Best Dowagiac Union School District Public Schools (2026)
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 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
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 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
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 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
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 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
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 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #66.
Union High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
701 W Prairie Ronde St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4420
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%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
614 Spruce St
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 782-4450
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 845 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 $15,137 is less than the state median of $17,782. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
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