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Average

#1270 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 40% in state

Union High School

High School · Dowagiac Union School District

243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Enrollment

530

Student-Teacher

19.6:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,270 of 3,192

In Dowagiac

#3 of 8

public schools

In district

#2 of 7

Dowagiac Union School District

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Union High School

6.7/10

High School in Dowagiac · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pathfinders Alternative Ed

6.8/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Patrick Hamilton Elementary

4.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Union High School

Union High School is a public high school in Dowagiac, MI, part of Dowagiac Union School District. Union High School serves approximately 530 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Union High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,270 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Union High School show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • MI avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Union High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.39 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness9.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,432
Chronic Absenteeism35.5%

Union High School — Students at Union High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 21.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
17%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
47%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Union High School Compares

See how Union High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in MI
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Sports
17
8 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.5%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics17sports offered
8 boys'·9 girls'·29 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

243 SOUTH FRONT ST, Dowagiac, MI 49047

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pathfinders Alternative Ed (rated 6.8/10), with a very similar rating. Another option is Cassopolis High School (rated 6.6/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Cassopolis), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Decatur Jr Sr High School (rated 5.5/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Decatur), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dowagiac, see our Dowagiac schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac 0.0 mi 6.8
Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac 0.2 mi 4.0
North Pointe Center Dowagiac 0.6 mi 7.9
Justus Gage Elementary School Dowagiac 0.8 mi 5.1
Dowagiac Middle School Dowagiac 1.8 mi 4.4
CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac 1.6 mi
Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac 4.1 mi 4.9
Brookside Learning Center Cassopolis 6.2 mi 6.2
Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac 8.0 mi 5.3
Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis 8.0 mi 3.5
Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis 8.0 mi 7.1
Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis 8.8 mi
Cassopolis High School Cassopolis 8.8 mi 6.6
HowardEllis Elementary School Niles 10.1 mi 5.3
Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus 8.6 mi 5.4
WAY Eau Claire Eau Claire 9.5 mi
Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur 11.1 mi 5.5
Lybrook Elementary School Eau Claire 9.6 mi 3.9
Davis Elementary School Decatur 11.2 mi 6.0
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bad Axe High School Bad Axe, MI 6.7
Central Montcalm Middle High School Stanton, MI 6.7
Chandler Park Academy High School Harper Woods, MI 6.7
Columbia Central High School Brooklyn, MI 6.7
Detroit School of Arts Detroit, MI 6.7
Hart High School Hart, MI 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union High School

What grades does Union High School serve?

Union High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Union High School?

Union High School has an enrollment of approximately 530 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Union High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Union High School is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Union High School rank in MI?

Union High School ranks #1,270 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Union High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Union High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Union High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Union High School has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Union High School a charter school?

No, Union High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Union High School a Title I school?

No, Union High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union High School?

66.0% of students at Union High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
530
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Cass County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.5%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Dowagiac Union School District
District Enrollment
1,860
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,432
District Rank
#2 of 7

How we rate schools

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