Average
#2309 of 3,192 schools in MI
Sister Lakes Elementary School
Elementary School · Dowagiac Union School District
243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,309 of 3,192
In Dowagiac
#4 of 8
public schools
In district
#3 of 7
Dowagiac Union School District
School environment
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Sister Lakes Elementary School
Elementary School in Dowagiac · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Grace Christian School
3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Watervliet Middle School
7.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sister Lakes Elementary School
Sister Lakes Elementary School is a public elementary school in Dowagiac, MI, part of Dowagiac Union School District. Sister Lakes Elementary School serves approximately 168 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Sister Lakes Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,309 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Sister Lakes Elementary School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 4.8
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 168 students, Sister Lakes Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Sister Lakes Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sister Lakes Elementary School — Students at Sister Lakes Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.4%
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: 3.2/10.
How Sister Lakes Elementary School Compares
See how Sister Lakes Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sister Lakes Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Redwood Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Hartford), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Watervliet), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, North Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Watervliet), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dowagiac, see our Dowagiac schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watervliet | 3.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Watervliet Middle School Watervliet | 7.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Watervliet Senior High School Watervliet | 7.4 mi | 6.0 |
| WAY Watervliet High School Watervliet | 7.4 mi | 4.4 |
| South Elementary School Watervliet | 7.4 mi | 6.0 |
| North Elementary School Watervliet | 8.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Redwood Elementary Hartford | 8.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac | 7.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Union High School Dowagiac | 8.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac | 8.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Hartford Alternative Education Hartford | 9.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Hartford High School Hartford | 9.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Hartford Middle School Hartford | 9.0 mi | 3.8 |
| North Pointe Center Dowagiac | 8.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School Benton Harbor | 7.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Countryside Academy Elementary Benton Harbor | 7.4 mi | 3.4 |
| WAY Eau Claire Eau Claire | 8.5 mi | — |
| Justus Gage Elementary School Dowagiac | 8.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Coloma Intermediate School Coloma | 8.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Coloma High School Coloma | 8.4 mi | 6.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth Community Development Academy Hamtramck, MI | 5.3 |
| Ford Early Learning Center Ypsilanti, MI | 5.3 |
| YPSI Connected Community School Ypsilanti, MI | 5.3 |
| AUBURN AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn, MI | 5.2 |
| Bad Axe Elementary School Bad Axe, MI | 5.2 |
| CarsonvillePort Sanilac Elementary School Carsonville, MI | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sister Lakes Elementary School
What grades does Sister Lakes Elementary School serve?
Sister Lakes Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Sister Lakes Elementary School?
Sister Lakes Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 168 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sister Lakes Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sister Lakes Elementary School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sister Lakes Elementary School rank in MI?
Sister Lakes Elementary School ranks #2,309 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Sister Lakes Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sister Lakes Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Sister Lakes Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sister Lakes Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Sister Lakes Elementary School a charter school?
No, Sister Lakes Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sister Lakes Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Sister Lakes Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sister Lakes Elementary School?
74.4% of students at Sister Lakes 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 168
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Van Buren County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.6%
- Phone
- (269) 782-4468
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
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