Average
#2436 of 3,192 schools in MI
Justus Gage Elementary School
Elementary School · Dowagiac Union School District
243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,436 of 3,192
In Dowagiac
#5 of 8
public schools
In district
#4 of 7
Dowagiac Union School District
Equity
7.2 / 10
Very Good
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Justus Gage Elementary School
Elementary School in Dowagiac · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North Pointe Center
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Calvary Bible Academy
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Justus Gage Elementary School
Justus Gage Elementary School is a public elementary school in Dowagiac, MI, part of Dowagiac Union School District. Justus Gage Elementary School serves approximately 283 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Justus Gage Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,436 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Justus Gage Elementary School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 4.8
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
31% of students at Justus Gage Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Justus Gage Elementary School — Students at Justus Gage Elementary School score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.2/10.
How Justus Gage Elementary School Compares
See how Justus Gage Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Justus Gage Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edwardsburg Intermediate School (rated 7.3/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Edwardsburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Davis Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Decatur), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sister Lakes Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 8.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dowagiac, see our Dowagiac schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Pointe Center Dowagiac | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac | 0.8 mi | — |
| Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Union High School Dowagiac | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Dowagiac Middle School Dowagiac | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac | 3.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Brookside Learning Center Cassopolis | 6.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis | 7.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis | 7.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis | 8.2 mi | — |
| Cassopolis High School Cassopolis | 8.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac | 8.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus | 7.8 mi | 5.4 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 10.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur | 10.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Davis Elementary School Decatur | 10.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Edwardsburg Primary School Edwardsburg | 13.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Edwardsburg Intermediate School Edwardsburg | 13.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Edwardsburg Middle School Edwardsburg | 13.5 mi | 6.6 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Angling Road Elementary School Portage, MI | 5.1 |
| Beal City Elementary School Mt. Pleasant, MI | 5.1 |
| Brown City Elementary School Brown City, MI | 5.1 |
| ClimaxScotts Elementary School Scotts, MI | 5.1 |
| East Leroy Elementary School East Leroy, MI | 5.1 |
| Elmwood Elementary School Lansing, MI | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Justus Gage Elementary School
What grades does Justus Gage Elementary School serve?
Justus Gage Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Justus Gage Elementary School?
Justus Gage Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 283 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Justus Gage Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Justus Gage Elementary School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Justus Gage Elementary School rank in MI?
Justus Gage Elementary School ranks #2,436 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Justus Gage Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Justus Gage Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Justus Gage Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Justus Gage Elementary School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Justus Gage Elementary School a charter school?
No, Justus Gage Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Justus Gage Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Justus Gage Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Justus Gage Elementary School?
82.0% of students at Justus Gage Elementary 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 283
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Cass County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.7%
- Phone
- (269) 782-4460
Resources & Links
District
Dowagiac Union School District- District Enrollment
- 1,860
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,432
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
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