Average
#1599 of 3,190 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
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
18.9:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dowagiac
#8 of 8
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#196 of 497
In district
#7 of 7
Dowagiac Union School District
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Dowagiac Middle School
Dowagiac Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Dowagiac, Michigan, serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 379 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.9:1, the school benefits from relatively small class sizes that allow for more personalized attention. The school’s academic performance is currently ranked at the 41st percentile among Michigan schools, with room for improvement in areas like ELA/Reading (34% proficiency) and Math (17% proficiency).
Despite these challenges, Dowagiac Middle School continues to focus on student development and supports its diverse community of learners. The school’s setting is in a town that sits on the edge of an urban area, offering students a blend of small-town charm and access to nearby city resources. This location provides a balanced environment where students can enjoy both rural and urban experiences within close proximity.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Dowagiac Middle School — Students at Dowagiac Middle School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.5/10.
How Dowagiac Middle School Compares
See how Dowagiac Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 16.8% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 34% (2019) to 34.9% (2022).
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. Edwardsburg Middle School (rated 6.8/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Edwardsburg), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cassopolis Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Cassopolis), which scores slightly 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 | 6.7 |
| North Pointe Center Dowagiac | 1.7 mi | 8.3 |
| CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac | 1.8 mi | — |
| Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Union High School Dowagiac | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Brookside Learning Center Cassopolis | 4.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac | 4.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis | 6.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis | 6.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis | 7.0 mi | — |
| Cassopolis High School Cassopolis | 7.0 mi | 6.6 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 9.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus | 8.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac | 9.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Edwardsburg Primary School Edwardsburg | 12.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Edwardsburg Intermediate School Edwardsburg | 12.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Edwardsburg Middle School Edwardsburg | 12.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Edwardsburg High School Edwardsburg | 12.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Edwardsburg Alternative Learning Center Edwardsburg | 12.4 mi | 4.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dowagiac Middle School has a median household income of $55,469. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $182,000, with a median rent of $750/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Durand Middle School Durand, MI | 6.3 |
| Hart Middle School Hart, MI | 6.3 |
| Valleywood Middle School Grand Rapids, MI | 6.3 |
| Clare Middle School Clare, MI | 6.2 |
| Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor, MI | 6.2 |
| Gladstone Area Middle School Gladstone, MI | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #1599 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Dowagiac Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dowagiac Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Dowagiac Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dowagiac Middle School has 17.3% math proficiency and 34.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,170/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dowagiac). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (269) 782-4440
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dowagiac Union School District- District Enrollment
- 1,860
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,432
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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