Dowagiac Union School District
School District · Dowagiac, Michigan
Avg Rating
5.3
out of 10
Schools
7
4 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,432
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Avg Rating
5.3
out of 10
Schools
7
4 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,432
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Evaluating Dowagiac Union School District?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Dowagiac Union School District as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Pathfinders Alternative Ed
Dowagiac · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Union High School
Dowagiac · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Sister Lakes Elementary School
Dowagiac · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
Michigan rank
#420 of 533
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Michigan avg
Per-pupil spending
$15,432
+$849 vs Michigan median
District size
1,860 students
Larger than Michigan median
The short answer
Dowagiac Union School District ranks #420 of 533 Michigan districts by overall school rating. Dowagiac Union School District's schools with real test data average 5.3/10 across 7 schools. Its top-rated schools are Pathfinders Alternative Ed (6.8/10), Union High School (6.7/10), and Sister Lakes Elementary School (5.3/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Dowagiac Union School District
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (7 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathfinders Alternative Ed | 6.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Union High School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Sister Lakes Elementary School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Justus Gage Elementary School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Kincheloe Elementary School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Dowagiac Middle School | 4.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Patrick Hamilton Elementary | 4.0 / 10 |
See all 7 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Dowagiac Union School District
Dowagiac Union School District is a Dowagiac, Michigan school district serving 7 schools. The district educates 1,860 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1. The district invests $15,432 per student annually.
With an average rating of 5.3/10, Dowagiac Union School District demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Pathfinders Alternative Ed, which has a composite score of 6.8/10.
In standardized testing, Dowagiac Union School District students show an average math proficiency of 31.7% and ELA proficiency of 42.1%.
The district includes 4 elementary schools , 1 middle school , and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Dowagiac Union School District, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Dowagiac Union School District with test data.
Schools in Dowagiac Union School District
7 schools Elementary Schools 4
Middle Schools 1
High Schools 2
District Details
- State
- Michigan
- City
- Dowagiac
- Total Enrollment
- 1,860
- Teachers (FTE)
- 110
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.2%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Dowagiac Union School District?
Dowagiac Union School District has 7 schools in total — 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Dowagiac Union School District?
The average composite rating for Dowagiac Union School District is 5.3/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Dowagiac Union School District?
Dowagiac Union School District spends $15,432 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dowagiac Union School District?
The average student-teacher ratio in Dowagiac Union School District is 16.9:1.
What is the top-rated school in Dowagiac Union School District?
Pathfinders Alternative Ed is the highest-rated school in Dowagiac Union School District with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What are the test scores in Dowagiac Union School District?
Across schools in Dowagiac Union School District with test data, the average math proficiency is 31.7% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 42.1%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Dowagiac Union School District compare to other districts in Michigan?
Dowagiac Union School District has an average school rating of 5.3/10 across 7 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Michigan by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.3/10
- Math Proficiency
- 31.7%
- ELA Proficiency
- 42.1%
Resources
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateOther School Districts in MI
Compare Dowagiac Union School District with neighboring districts in the state.
- Detroit Public Schools Community District (106)
- Grand Rapids Public Schools (51)
- Utica Community Schools (38)
- Dearborn City School District (37)
- Ann Arbor Public Schools (32)
- Kalamazoo Public Schools (31)
- Lansing Public School District (26)
- Livonia Public Schools School District (26)
- Michigan Department of Corrections (25)
- Plymouth-canton Community Schools (25)
- Warren Consolidated Schools (23)
- Rochester Community School District (22)
- Troy School District (21)
- Chippewa Valley Schools (20)
- Walled Lake Consolidated Schools (20)
- L'anse Creuse Public Schools (19)
- Forest Hills Public Schools (18)
- Waterford School District (17)
- Wayne-westland Community School District (16)
- Farmington Public School District (16)
- Huron Valley Schools (16)
- Kentwood Public Schools (16)
- Port Huron Area School District (16)
- Saginaw School District of the City of (16)
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Michigan Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.
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