Skip to main content

Excellent

#270 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 8% in state

North Pointe Center

School · Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District

704 ORCHARD ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Enrollment

43

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dowagiac

#1 of 8

public schools

Michigan schools

#37 of 279

In district

#1 of 2

Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District

Equity

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About North Pointe Center

North Pointe Center is a public school in Dowagiac, MI, part of the Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District. The school serves approximately 43 students in grades Kindergarten – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 91.6th percentile among MI schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 69% proficiency in math, 33 points above the state average and 69% in reading/language arts, 16 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $55,469, where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe town setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 43 students, North Pointe Center is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.9Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Math vs. State Avg+38.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+44.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$137,412

North Pointe Center — Students at North Pointe Center score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 68.6%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 68.6%
School
State
52.2%

Based on 8 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
75%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How North Pointe Center Compares

See how North Pointe Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
92th percentile in MI
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

704 ORCHARD ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Pointe Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. Sister Lakes Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 8.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Kincheloe Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 3.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Patrick Hamilton Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dowagiac, see our Dowagiac schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Justus Gage Elementary School Dowagiac 0.3 mi 6.7
Union High School Dowagiac 0.6 mi 6.7
Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac 0.7 mi 6.9
Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac 0.7 mi 7.6
CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac 0.9 mi
Dowagiac Middle School Dowagiac 1.7 mi 6.3
Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac 3.5 mi 8.1
Brookside Learning Center Cassopolis 6.2 mi 6.2
Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis 7.6 mi 6.0
Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis 7.6 mi 6.7
Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac 8.2 mi 8.2
Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis 8.5 mi
Cassopolis High School Cassopolis 8.5 mi 6.6
Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus 8.0 mi 6.1
HowardEllis Elementary School Niles 10.4 mi 5.5
Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur 10.6 mi 4.8
Davis Elementary School Decatur 10.7 mi 7.6
WAY Eau Claire Eau Claire 10.1 mi
Edwardsburg Primary School Edwardsburg 13.6 mi 4.8
Edwardsburg Intermediate School Edwardsburg 13.6 mi 5.0

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 North Pointe Center 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
LLCBay Campus Essexville, MI 8.4
Gobles Virtual Academy Gobles, MI 8.2
Lighthouse Academy Eagle Village Hersey, MI 8.1
Burt Township School Grand Marais, MI 8.0
Iosco RESA Special Education Tawas City, MI 8.0
Kennedy Center Pontiac, MI 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Pointe Center

What grades does North Pointe Center serve?

North Pointe Center serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend North Pointe Center?

North Pointe Center has an enrollment of approximately 43 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Pointe Center?

The student-teacher ratio at North Pointe Center is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Pointe Center rank in MI?

North Pointe Center is ranked #270 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is North Pointe Center's MySchoolScout rating?

North Pointe Center has a composite rating of 8.3 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 North Pointe Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Pointe Center has 68.6% math proficiency and 68.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Pointe Center a charter school?

No, North Pointe Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is North Pointe Center a Title I school?

No, North Pointe Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Pointe Center?

69.8% of students at North Pointe Center 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
65 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,170/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dowagiac). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.8%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Cass County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District
District Enrollment
305
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$163,426
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.