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Michigan Central Railroad Dowagiac DepotPhoto: Michael Tomko · CC BY-SA 3.0
C
Schools in Dowagiac · Dowagiac Union Schools

Dowagiac’s public schools score below 69% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Dowagiac’s districts is 21%, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Dowagiac, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.

#637of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
33%
▼ 12 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
21%
▼ 13 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
70–74%
▼ 8–12 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.5K
▼ 13% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.5
MI 16.5
Schools in town
5
1,386 students on the public path
In brief

Dowagiac’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 605 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Dowagiac’s, its schools beat 18%, lower than their 31% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 33% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

70–74% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan (the state reports Dowagiac’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,458 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Dowagiac Middle School, then Union High School. Enrollment is down 13% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Pathfinders Alternative Ed, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Dowagiac’s grade

C Test scoresC− Graduation

C: better than 31% of Michigan school districts, #637 of 699 Michigan towns. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 31%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (605)Better than 18%
C−C+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 963 test results and a graduating class of 138 could put Dowagiac anywhere from C− to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Dowagiac’s students in the tested grades sat them (961 in math, 965 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dowagiac, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC− to C
6–8Dowagiac Middle SchoolDowagiac Union SchoolsC−
9–12Union High SchoolDowagiac Union SchoolsC

Dowagiac’s public schools are run by Dowagiac Union Schools, which also serves Keeler, LaGrange, Pokagon and Silver Creek and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Dowagiac Union SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 1,815 students, down 13% since 2020–21 · 16.5 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$14,458MI $16,528 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading33%
State average 45.4% · 965 students tested
Math21%
State average 33.6% · 961 students tested

Dowagiac vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Dowagiac’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DowagiacCDowagiac Union Schools
PokagonCDowagiac Union Schools PK–12 · Cassopolis PK–12
LaGrangeCCassopolis PK–12 · Dowagiac Union Schools PK–12
Silver CreekCDowagiac Union Schools
WayneC+Dowagiac Union Schools PK–12 · Decatur K–12

All 4 neighbors share Dowagiac Union Schools with Dowagiac, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Dowagiac

6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Michigan’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Dowagiacby address
Justus Gage Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
262 students15:1Rate it →
Patrick Hamilton Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5
C−
224 students15:1Rate it →
Dowagiac Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
393 students19:1Rate it →
Union High School
High · Grades 9–12
C
507 students18:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Dowagiacrun by other districts or the state
North Pointe Center
Grades K–12
B+
Special Education
44 students15:1Rate it →
Online schools based in Dowagiacnot counted as local schools
Pathfinders Alternative Ed
High · Grades 6–12
OnlineAlternative Education
49 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Dowagiac’s schools

Are Dowagiac’s schools good?

On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Dowagiac children attend score below 69% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #637 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 18%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Dowagiac in?

Dowagiac Union Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,815 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Dowagiac kids go to high school?

Union High School, with 507 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Dowagiac’s graduation rate?

70–74% of the class of 2023 in Dowagiac Union Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Dowagiac spend per student?

$14,458 in Dowagiac Union Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Dowagiac families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dowagiac → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Michigan. Stars are from neighbors.