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Below Average

#2760 of 3,192 schools in MI

Dowagiac Middle School

Middle School · Dowagiac Union School District

243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Enrollment

379

Student-Teacher

18.9:1

Score

4.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,760 of 3,192

In Dowagiac

#7 of 8

public schools

In district

#6 of 7

Dowagiac Union School District

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Dowagiac Middle School

4.4/10

Middle School in Dowagiac · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Justus Gage Elementary School

5.1/10

1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

North Pointe Center

7.9/10

1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dowagiac Middle School

Dowagiac Middle School is a public middle school in Dowagiac, MI, part of Dowagiac Union School District. Dowagiac Middle School serves approximately 379 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Dowagiac Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,760 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Dowagiac Middle School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts below MI schools
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

44% of students at Dowagiac Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.9% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.1 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,432
Chronic Absenteeism43.5%

Dowagiac Middle School — Students at Dowagiac Middle School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 43.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
45.4% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
70%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
30%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
34%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
31%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
28%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
35.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.

How Dowagiac Middle School Compares

See how Dowagiac Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
14th percentile in MI
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.5%

Location

243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dowagiac Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cassopolis Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Cassopolis), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edwardsburg Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Edwardsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dowagiac, see our Dowagiac schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Justus Gage Elementary School Dowagiac 1.4 mi 5.1
North Pointe Center Dowagiac 1.7 mi 7.9
CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac 1.8 mi
Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac 1.6 mi 4.0
Union High School Dowagiac 1.8 mi 6.7
Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac 1.8 mi 6.8
Brookside Learning Center Cassopolis 4.6 mi 6.2
Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac 4.3 mi 4.9
Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis 6.2 mi 3.5
Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis 6.3 mi 7.1
Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis 7.0 mi
Cassopolis High School Cassopolis 7.0 mi 6.6
HowardEllis Elementary School Niles 9.1 mi 5.3
Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus 8.0 mi 5.4
Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac 9.8 mi 5.3
Edwardsburg Primary School Edwardsburg 12.0 mi 4.6
Edwardsburg Intermediate School Edwardsburg 12.0 mi 7.3
Edwardsburg Middle School Edwardsburg 12.1 mi 6.6
Edwardsburg High School Edwardsburg 12.3 mi 7.6
Edwardsburg Alternative Learning Center Edwardsburg 12.4 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49047 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,469

Median Home Value

$182,000

Median Rent

$750/mo

Population

14,506

College Educated

21.2%

Homeownership

72.4%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

19.4%

Median Age

42.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Algonquin Middle School Clinton Twp, MI 4.4
Charlotte Middle School Charlotte, MI 4.4
East Intermediate School Lansing, MI 4.4
Leslie Middle School Leslie, MI 4.4
Newaygo Middle School Newaygo, MI 4.4
ReethsPuffer Intermediate Sch Muskegon, MI 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dowagiac Middle School

What grades does Dowagiac Middle School serve?

Dowagiac Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Dowagiac Middle School?

Dowagiac Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 379 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dowagiac Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dowagiac Middle School is 18.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dowagiac Middle School rank in MI?

Dowagiac Middle School ranks #2,760 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Dowagiac Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dowagiac Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Dowagiac Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dowagiac Middle School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Dowagiac Middle School a charter school?

No, Dowagiac Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dowagiac Middle School a Title I school?

No, Dowagiac Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dowagiac Middle School?

75.7% of students at Dowagiac Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Cass County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.5%

District

Dowagiac Union School District
District Enrollment
1,860
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,432
District Rank
#6 of 7

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