Dowagiac Union School District

The Dowagiac Union School District in Michigan serves students from 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative school. The district faces challenges with high chronic absenteeism rates and a large percentage of students from low-income families, but some schools, like Justus Gage Elementary and Kincheloe Elementary, stand out with stronger academic performance compared to the district and state averages.

While the district's academic performance is mixed, with some schools like Patrick Hamilton Elementary lagging behind, Justus Gage Elementary and Kincheloe Elementary have higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math. Additionally, Union High School has a relatively high 4-year graduation rate and a lower dropout rate compared to the district's alternative high school.

The data also reveals significant socioeconomic challenges, with high percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch across the district. This, combined with the high chronic absenteeism rates, suggests the need for targeted interventions to support struggling students and schools within the Dowagiac Union School District.