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Below Average

#2548 of 3,192 schools in MI

Kincheloe Elementary School

Elementary School · Dowagiac Union School District

243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Enrollment

224

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,548 of 3,192

In Dowagiac

#6 of 8

public schools

In district

#5 of 7

Dowagiac Union School District

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Kincheloe Elementary School

4.9/10

Elementary School in Dowagiac · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Calvary Bible Academy

Nearby

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

Justus Gage Elementary School

5.1/10

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

About Kincheloe Elementary School

Kincheloe Elementary School is a public elementary school in Dowagiac, MI, part of Dowagiac Union School District. Kincheloe Elementary School serves approximately 224 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Kincheloe Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,548 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Kincheloe Elementary School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.8
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Kincheloe Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,432
Chronic Absenteeism25.9%

Kincheloe Elementary School — Students at Kincheloe Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 45.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
43.1% (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
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
27.8%
ELA
34.5%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Kincheloe Elementary School Compares

See how Kincheloe Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
20th percentile in MI
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.9%

Location

243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kincheloe Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Davis Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Decatur), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sister Lakes Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 9.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HowardEllis Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Niles), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dowagiac, see our Dowagiac schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac 2.7 mi
Justus Gage Elementary School Dowagiac 3.4 mi 5.1
North Pointe Center Dowagiac 3.5 mi 7.9
Dowagiac Middle School Dowagiac 4.3 mi 4.4
Union High School Dowagiac 4.1 mi 6.7
Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac 4.1 mi 6.8
Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac 4.2 mi 4.0
Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus 5.0 mi 5.4
Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis 7.6 mi 7.1
Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur 7.4 mi 5.5
Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis 7.8 mi 3.5
Davis Elementary School Decatur 7.5 mi 6.0
Brookside Learning Center Cassopolis 8.3 mi 6.2
Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis 8.9 mi
Cassopolis High School Cassopolis 8.9 mi 6.6
Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac 9.2 mi 5.3
Bert Goens Learning Center Lawrence 13.3 mi 7.8
Lawrence JrSr High School Lawrence 13.9 mi 6.5
Lawrence Elementary School Lawrence 13.9 mi 4.9
HowardEllis Elementary School Niles 13.3 mi 5.3

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
East Elementary School Cheboygan, MI 4.9
Four Corners Montessori Academy Madison Heights, MI 4.9
Highland Elementary School Highland, MI 4.9
Lawrence Elementary School Lawrence, MI 4.9
Mendon Elementary School Mendon, MI 4.9
Michigan Mathematics and Science Academy Lorraine Warren, MI 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kincheloe Elementary School

What grades does Kincheloe Elementary School serve?

Kincheloe Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Kincheloe Elementary School?

Kincheloe Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 224 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kincheloe Elementary School?

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

How does Kincheloe Elementary School rank in MI?

Kincheloe Elementary School ranks #2,548 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Kincheloe Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kincheloe Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Kincheloe Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kincheloe Elementary School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Kincheloe Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Kincheloe Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Kincheloe Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kincheloe Elementary School?

71.4% of students at Kincheloe 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cass County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.9%

District

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

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