Very Good
#592 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 19% in state
Patrick Hamilton Elementary
Elementary School · Dowagiac Union School District
243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dowagiac
#4 of 8
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#373 of 1,602
In district
#3 of 7
Dowagiac Union School District
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Patrick Hamilton Elementary
Patrick Hamilton Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Dowagiac, Michigan, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 220 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive academically and socially. The school’s setting is on the fringe of an urban area, providing a mix of town charm with easy access to city amenities.
Patrick Hamilton Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10, ranking it at #1740 among 3204 schools in Michigan (which places it around the 46th percentile). Academically, the school is focusing on student development, with 21% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 15% proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate there is room for academic growth and improvement.
Patrick Hamilton Elementary sits at the heart of Dowagiac, offering a supportive community environment for its young learners.
Score Breakdown
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Patrick Hamilton Elementary — Students at Patrick Hamilton Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.8%
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: 9.1/10.
How Patrick Hamilton Elementary Compares
See how Patrick Hamilton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 20.89% (2022).
Location
243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Patrick Hamilton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sister Lakes Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 8.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Kincheloe Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lybrook Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Eau Claire), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dowagiac, see our Dowagiac schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Union High School Dowagiac | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| North Pointe Center Dowagiac | 0.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Justus Gage Elementary School Dowagiac | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Dowagiac Middle School Dowagiac | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac | 1.6 mi | — |
| Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac | 4.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Brookside Learning Center Cassopolis | 6.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac | 8.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis | 7.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis | 7.8 mi | 6.7 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 9.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis | 8.6 mi | — |
| Cassopolis High School Cassopolis | 8.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus | 8.6 mi | 6.1 |
| WAY Eau Claire Eau Claire | 9.5 mi | — |
| Lybrook Elementary School Eau Claire | 9.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Berrien County Juvenile Center Saint Joseph | 9.8 mi | — |
| Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur | 11.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Ring Lardner Middle School Niles | 12.0 mi | 5.2 |
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 Patrick Hamilton Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Bertha Neal School Durand, MI | 7.6 |
| Blair Elementary School Traverse City, MI | 7.6 |
| Gordon Elementary School Marshall, MI | 7.6 |
| Harbor Beach Elementary School Harbor Beach, MI | 7.6 |
| Henry Niedermeier Elementary School Newport, MI | 7.6 |
| Hoover Elementary School Hazel Park, MI | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Patrick Hamilton Elementary
What grades does Patrick Hamilton Elementary serve?
Patrick Hamilton Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Patrick Hamilton Elementary?
Patrick Hamilton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 220 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Patrick Hamilton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Patrick Hamilton Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Patrick Hamilton Elementary rank in MI?
Patrick Hamilton Elementary is ranked #592 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Patrick Hamilton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Patrick Hamilton Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Patrick Hamilton Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Patrick Hamilton Elementary has 14.8% math proficiency and 21.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Patrick Hamilton Elementary a charter school?
No, Patrick Hamilton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Patrick Hamilton Elementary a Title I school?
No, Patrick Hamilton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Patrick Hamilton Elementary?
86.8% of students at Patrick Hamilton Elementary 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
- 220
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Cass County
- Phone
- (269) 782-4450
- 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
- #3 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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