Excellent
#335 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 11% in state
Kincheloe Elementary School
Elementary School · Dowagiac Union School District
243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dowagiac
#3 of 8
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#227 of 1,602
In district
#2 of 7
Dowagiac Union School District
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Kincheloe Elementary School
Kincheloe Elementary School is a regular public elementary school nestled in the rural outskirts of Dowagiac, Michigan. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Kincheloe offers an educational experience with a current enrollment of 224 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1. The dedicated faculty consists of 14 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting each child's learning journey.
Academically, the school has room for growth, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1186 out of 3204 schools in Michigan, placing it around the 63rd percentile. In terms of proficiency scores, 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 28% meet these standards in Math. Kincheloe Elementary School is deeply rooted within its rural setting, providing a close-knit community atmosphere for learning and growth.
The school's location offers a serene environment that complements its educational mission to nurture young minds.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Kincheloe Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Kincheloe Elementary School — Students at Kincheloe Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.4%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Kincheloe Elementary School Compares
See how Kincheloe Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 27.8% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 34.5% (2022).
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. Sister Lakes Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 9.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Patrick Hamilton Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 4.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Davis Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Decatur), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.7 |
| North Pointe Center Dowagiac | 3.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Dowagiac Middle School Dowagiac | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Union High School Dowagiac | 4.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac | 4.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac | 4.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus | 5.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis | 7.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur | 7.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis | 7.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Davis Elementary School Decatur | 7.5 mi | 7.6 |
| 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 | 8.2 |
| Bert Goens Learning Center Lawrence | 13.3 mi | 9.0 |
| Lawrence JrSr High School Lawrence | 13.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Lawrence Elementary School Lawrence | 13.9 mi | 5.6 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 13.3 mi | 5.5 |
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 Kincheloe 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 |
|---|---|
| Beach Elementary School Muskegon, MI | 8.1 |
| Blackbird Elementary School Harbor Springs, MI | 8.1 |
| Ford Early Learning Center Ypsilanti, MI | 8.1 |
| Lathers Early Childhood and Kindergarten Center Garden City, MI | 8.1 |
| Loren Eyler Elementary School Carleton, MI | 8.1 |
| Oakland Academy Portage, MI | 8.1 |
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 is ranked #335 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Kincheloe Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kincheloe Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Kincheloe Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kincheloe Elementary School has 27.6% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dowagiac). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (269) 782-4464
- 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
- #2 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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