Average
#1284 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 40% in state
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
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
283
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dowagiac
#6 of 8
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#745 of 1,602
In district
#5 of 7
Dowagiac Union School District
Academic performance
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Justus Gage Elementary School
Justus Gage Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Dowagiac, Michigan. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 283 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1 and 17 full-time equivalent teachers, Justus Gage Elementary offers personalized attention to its young learners.
The academic performance at Justus Gage places the school in the 54th percentile among Michigan schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10. Students score an average of 32% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 34% proficient or above in Math across all grades. These scores indicate areas for growth but also highlight the ongoing efforts to support student development.
Situated on South Front Street, Justus Gage Elementary is located in a town on the fringe of an urban area, providing a blend of community resources and suburban charm. The school’s setting offers students access to both local amenities and natural surroundings, fostering a nurturing environment for learning and growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Justus Gage Elementary School — Students at Justus Gage Elementary School score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
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 12 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: 6.3/10.
How Justus Gage Elementary School Compares
See how Justus Gage Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 34.81% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 30.44% (2022).
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. Sister Lakes Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 8.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kincheloe Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Patrick Hamilton Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 8.3 |
| CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac | 0.8 mi | — |
| Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Union High School Dowagiac | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Dowagiac Middle School Dowagiac | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac | 3.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Brookside Learning Center Cassopolis | 6.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis | 7.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis | 7.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis | 8.2 mi | — |
| Cassopolis High School Cassopolis | 8.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac | 8.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus | 7.8 mi | 6.1 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 10.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur | 10.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Davis Elementary School Decatur | 10.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Edwardsburg Primary School Edwardsburg | 13.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Edwardsburg Intermediate School Edwardsburg | 13.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Edwardsburg Middle School Edwardsburg | 13.5 mi | 6.8 |
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 Justus Gage Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| 3246 PIERCE Beverly Hills, MI | 6.7 |
| Allen Elementary School Southgate, MI | 6.7 |
| Ann J Kellogg School Battle Creek, MI | 6.7 |
| Avalon Elementary School Saint Clair Shores, MI | 6.7 |
| Beal City Elementary School Mt. Pleasant, MI | 6.7 |
| Coopersville East Elementary Coopersville, MI | 6.7 |
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 is ranked #1284 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Justus Gage Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Justus Gage Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Justus Gage Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Justus Gage Elementary School has 33.7% math proficiency and 32.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (269) 782-4460
- 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
- #5 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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