Average
#1106 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 35% in state
Pathfinders Alternative Ed
High School · Dowagiac Union School District
243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dowagiac
#5 of 8
public schools
Michigan high schools
#209 of 812
In district
#4 of 7
Dowagiac Union School District
School environment
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Pathfinders Alternative Ed
Pathfinders Alternative Ed is a high school located on South Front Street in Dowagiac, Michigan. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, this alternative school offers an enrollment of 50 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.7:1 and three full-time equivalent teachers. Pathfinders focuses on providing educational support for those who may benefit from a different learning environment.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.2 out of 10, placing it in the 64th percentile among Michigan schools based on its state ranking. Pathfinders Alternative Ed is situated in a town that lies on the edge of an urban area, offering students both small-town charm and access to nearby city resources. While test score data isn't available, Pathfinders continues to work toward supporting student development and academic growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 50 students, Pathfinders Alternative Ed 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
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Pathfinders Alternative Ed Compares
See how Pathfinders Alternative Ed performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pathfinders Alternative Ed may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Union High School (rated 6.7/10), with a very similar rating. Another option is Cassopolis High School (rated 6.6/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Cassopolis), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Volinia Outcome Base School (rated 6.1/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Marcellus), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dowagiac, see our Dowagiac schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Union High School Dowagiac | 0.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| North Pointe Center Dowagiac | 0.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Justus Gage Elementary School Dowagiac | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Dowagiac Middle School Dowagiac | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac | 1.6 mi | — |
| Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac | 4.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Brookside Learning Center Cassopolis | 6.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac | 7.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis | 8.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis | 8.0 mi | 6.7 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 10.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis | 8.9 mi | — |
| Cassopolis High School Cassopolis | 8.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus | 8.6 mi | 6.1 |
| WAY Eau Claire Eau Claire | 9.5 mi | — |
| Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur | 11.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Lybrook Elementary School Eau Claire | 9.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Davis Elementary School Decatur | 11.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Berrien County Juvenile Center Saint Joseph | 9.8 mi | — |
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 Pathfinders Alternative Ed 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 |
|---|---|
| Chesaning Union Schools Alternative Education Chesaning, MI | 6.9 |
| MESIVTA OF WEST BLOOMFIELD West Bloomfield, MI | 6.9 |
| Inverness Academy Cheboygan, MI | 6.8 |
| Legacy High School Howell, MI | 6.8 |
| Career Connections Academy Wayland, MI | 7.1 |
| Phoenix Alternative High School Powers, MI | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pathfinders Alternative Ed
What grades does Pathfinders Alternative Ed serve?
Pathfinders Alternative Ed serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Pathfinders Alternative Ed?
Pathfinders Alternative Ed has an enrollment of approximately 50 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pathfinders Alternative Ed?
The student-teacher ratio at Pathfinders Alternative Ed is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pathfinders Alternative Ed rank in MI?
Pathfinders Alternative Ed is ranked #1106 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Pathfinders Alternative Ed's MySchoolScout rating?
Pathfinders Alternative Ed has a composite rating of 6.9 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.
Is Pathfinders Alternative Ed a charter school?
No, Pathfinders Alternative Ed is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pathfinders Alternative Ed a Title I school?
No, Pathfinders Alternative Ed is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pathfinders Alternative Ed?
76.0% of students at Pathfinders Alternative Ed 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
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 50
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Cass County
- Phone
- (269) 782-4471
- 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
- #4 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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