Below Average
#2892 of 3,192 schools in MI
Patrick Hamilton Elementary
Elementary School · Dowagiac Union School District
243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
220
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,892 of 3,192
In Dowagiac
#8 of 8
public schools
In district
#7 of 7
Dowagiac Union School District
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Patrick Hamilton Elementary
Elementary School in Dowagiac · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Union High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pathfinders Alternative Ed
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Patrick Hamilton Elementary
Patrick Hamilton Elementary is a public elementary school in Dowagiac, MI, part of Dowagiac Union School District. Patrick Hamilton Elementary serves approximately 220 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Patrick Hamilton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,892 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Patrick Hamilton Elementary show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- District avg 4.8
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
46% of students at Patrick Hamilton Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Patrick Hamilton Elementary — Students at Patrick Hamilton Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
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 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.7/10.
How Patrick Hamilton Elementary Compares
See how Patrick Hamilton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 5.3/10, 8.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HowardEllis Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Niles), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Justus Gage Elementary School (rated 5.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.8 |
| North Pointe Center Dowagiac | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Justus Gage Elementary School Dowagiac | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Dowagiac Middle School Dowagiac | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac | 1.6 mi | — |
| Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac | 4.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Brookside Learning Center Cassopolis | 6.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac | 8.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis | 7.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis | 7.8 mi | 7.1 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 9.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis | 8.6 mi | — |
| Cassopolis High School Cassopolis | 8.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus | 8.6 mi | 5.4 |
| WAY Eau Claire Eau Claire | 9.5 mi | — |
| Lybrook Elementary School Eau Claire | 9.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Berrien County Juvenile Center Saint Joseph | 9.8 mi | — |
| Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur | 11.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Ring Lardner Middle School Niles | 12.0 mi | 5.4 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Alcona Elementary School Harrisville, MI | 4.0 |
| HOPE PROTESTANT REFORMED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids, MI | 4.0 |
| Hale Creek Elementary School Romulus, MI | 4.0 |
| Hillman Elementary School Hillman, MI | 4.0 |
| KI Sawyer Elementary School Gwinn, MI | 4.0 |
| Mancelona Elementary School Mancelona, MI | 4.0 |
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 ranks #2,892 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Patrick Hamilton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Patrick Hamilton Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Patrick Hamilton Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Patrick Hamilton Elementary has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 46.4%
- Phone
- (269) 782-4450
Resources & Links
District
Dowagiac Union School District- District Enrollment
- 1,860
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,432
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
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