We’ve been telling you how well our elementary schools are doing, with two of them earning the recognition of being a Reward School. We told you how well our high school is doing, when comparing “apples to apples” across the state by accounting for socioeconomic variables. Now we’d like to share the findings from Bridges, another independent organization.  Dowagiac Union Schools has been ranked as one of the top 12 percent of all districts in the state.

Much like the Mackinac Center report that ranked DUHS in the top 25 percent of high schools state-wide (and higher than others in our region), Bridges also measures districts by analyzing major variables. These variables include income levels and how well students are scoring on standardized tests. Both the Mackinac Center and Bridges, as independent organizations, are coming from opposite ends of the spectrum politically, which helps us as a district feel confident that these findings are fair and accurate. Dowagiac is consistently doing very well as a whole.

The Bridges report also breaks down the district scores, as follows:

• As an elementary education provider, we score in the top 10 percent in the state.

• For educating students in grades 6-8, we score in the top 13 percent.

• At the high school level, we score in the top 22 percent.

We are obviously very proud of this ranking, but you might be asking, what does it really mean?

For our students, it means regardless of what grade they are in, they are getting a high-quality education with a diverse socioeconomic environment by highly qualified teachers.

For our parents, it means they can feel confident that our staff is dedicated to supporting the education process in a way that allows this kind of achievement to occur.

For our community members, it means you can share in the tremendous pride we rightfully feel for our schools, and our students. Dowagiac Union Schools is truly united in providing the best educational experience available to students in southwest Michigan.

 

Paul Hartsig is the superintendent of Dowagiac Union Schools.