- Enrollment
- 507
- Students per teacher
- 19.5:1
- Resource Index
- 25/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Dowagiac, MI
Pathfinders Alternative Ed
Federal NCES profile for Pathfinders Alternative Ed, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 39/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 261215004920
👥 S:T ratio 2
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 85
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Pathfinders Alternative Ed earns 39/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 93% of Michigan schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Michigan schools.
- #1 of 7
- public schools in Dowagiac · Resource Index
- 39
- Resource Index · Typical
- 24.5:1
- large classes for Michigan
- 92.1%
- free-lunch eligible
Pathfinders Alternative Ed has class sizes larger than 93% of Michigan schools. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Pathfinders Alternative Ed ranks #1 of 7 public schools in Dowagiac, MI.
School address
District: Dowagiac Union School District · Michigan
NCES ID 261215004920 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+12 students YoY
Pathfinders Alternative Ed grew from 38 students in 2022-23 to 50 in 2023-24 (+31.6%).
Teacher FTE added 2.2 → 3.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+12 students YoY 261215004920 · Dowagiac, MI High · SMALL · TRAD
49 enr · 24.5:1 · 92.1% lunch · RII 39
Nearest enrollment peer: Union High School (507 students)
Pathfinders Alternative Ed grew from 38 students in 2022-23 to 50 in 2023-24 (+31.6%). Teacher FTE added 2.2 → 3.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
Pathfinders Alternative Ed in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Union High Sch
Union High School
507 students
- Dowagiac Middl
Dowagiac Middle School
393 students
- Justus Gage El
Justus Gage Elementary School
262 students
- Patrick Hamilt
Patrick Hamilton Elementary
224 students
- Kincheloe Elem
Kincheloe Elementary School
214 students
- This school 49
Pathfinders Alternative Ed
49 students
What this shows Pathfinders Alternative Ed reports 49 students on the CCD universe file.
How Pathfinders Alternative Ed compares
Pathfinders Alternative Ed is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Michigan and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Michigan | Michigan avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 24.5:1 | ▲ 40% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 92.1% | ▲ 70% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 49 | top 92% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
24.5:1
Leaner classes than 6% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
49
Bigger than 5% of US schools by enrollment, a small campus.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
92.1%
free-lunch eligible
- 70% above the Michigan average of 54.3%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
24.5:1
students per teacher
- 40% above state mean
Top 93% in Michigan - lower ratio than 7% of state schools
Well above 20:1, one of the more stretched staffing loads nationally relative to enrollment.
Engagement
6.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 5-10% range, close to the pre-pandemic national baseline.
Funding equity
$15,351
per pupil, district-wide
- above Michigan avg of $15,012
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 57.1%
Two or More 18.4%
African American 12.2%
Hispanic or Latino 12.2%
Largest group: White at 57.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 61.0/100
Simpson diversity index - at 61.0, Pathfinders Alternative Ed is more mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
AP program Not offered
District finance for Dowagiac Union School District reports $15,351 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Pathfinders Alternative Ed Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Dowagiac Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Justus Gage Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Patrick Hamilton Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Kincheloe Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Pathfinders Alternative Ed's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 393
- Students per teacher
- 17.1:1
- Resource Index
- 21/100
- Enrollment
- 262
- Students per teacher
- 15.4:1
- Resource Index
- 22/100
- Enrollment
- 224
- Students per teacher
- 16:1
- Resource Index
- 19/100
- Enrollment
- 214
- Students per teacher
- 14.3:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
Nationwide high schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~49 students)
Frequently asked questions about Pathfinders Alternative Ed
How many students attend Pathfinders Alternative Ed?
Pathfinders Alternative Ed has 49 students enrolled. It is a high school in Dowagiac, MI. CCD year-over-year: 38 (2022-23) → 50 (2023-24), up 12.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pathfinders Alternative Ed?
The student-teacher ratio at Pathfinders Alternative Ed is 24.5:1, which is 40% higher than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 56% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Pathfinders Alternative Ed?
92.1% of students at Pathfinders Alternative Ed are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Pathfinders Alternative Ed?
The largest demographic group at Pathfinders Alternative Ed is White at 57.1% of enrollment, in Dowagiac, MI. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 61.0/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Pathfinders Alternative Ed?
Pathfinders Alternative Ed has a Resource Investment Index of 39/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Pathfinders Alternative Ed rank among public schools in Dowagiac?
By Resource Investment Index, Pathfinders Alternative Ed ranks #1 of 7 public schools in Dowagiac, MI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in Dowagiac on the city page.
What other schools are in Dowagiac Union School District?
Besides Pathfinders Alternative Ed, Dowagiac Union School District also operates Union High School (507 students), Dowagiac Middle School (393 students), and Justus Gage Elementary School (262 students). See the Dowagiac Union School District district page for the complete list.