Best Schools in Dawson, Georgia
5 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Dawson?
Use this page to compare every school in Dawson by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cooper-carver Elementary School
Elementary · Terrell County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Terrell High School
High · Terrell County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Terrell Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Dawson for 2026 are Cooper-carver Elementary School (8.2/10), Terrell High School (7.1/10), and Terrell Academy (5.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$108,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$108,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +8.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Dawson schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Dawson
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cooper-carver Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Terrell High School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Terrell Academy | 5.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Terrell Middle School | 4.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $41,181
- Median home value
- $108,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 52%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Dawson compares
Georgia rank
#131 of 240
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below Georgia avg (6.3)
Median household income
$41k
59% of Georgia median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Dawson, Georgia
Dawson, Georgia is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Dawson show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Dawson is Cooper-carver Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Dawson is served by 2 school districts: Department of Juvenile Justice, Terrell County. These districts collectively serve 1,383 students.
Dawson's community shows 11% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $41,181. The poverty rate in the area is 36.5%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 451 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 231 students · 6th–8th | 4.3 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 279 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 2 | 14 students · 6th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terrell Academy
Private
392 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.4 |
Schools in Dawson
Dawson, Georgia · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$41,181
Median Home Value
$108,800
Median Rent
$728/mo
Population
7,780
College Educated
11%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
36.5%
Community Profile
Dawson has a median household income of $41,181. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,800, with a median rent of $728/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Georgia
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Georgia
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Dawson, Georgia
How many schools are in Dawson, Georgia?
Dawson has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dawson, Georgia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dawson is 6.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Dawson, Georgia?
The top-ranked school in Dawson on MySchoolScout is Cooper-carver Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dawson, Georgia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dawson on MySchoolScout is Cooper-carver Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Dawson, Georgia?
The top-ranked middle school in Dawson on MySchoolScout is Terrell Middle School with a composite score of 4.3/10.
What is the best high school in Dawson, Georgia?
The top-ranked high school in Dawson on MySchoolScout is Terrell High School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Dawson, Georgia?
Dawson is served by 2 school districts: Department of Juvenile Justice, Terrell County.
What is the education level in Dawson, Georgia?
According to Census data, 11% of adults in Dawson have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dawson, Georgia?
The median household income in Dawson is approximately $41,181 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dawson, Georgia?
Yes, Dawson has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Terrell Academy with a score of 5.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dawson, Georgia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dawson is 11.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dawson, Georgia?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Georgia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.