Best Schools in Dobson, North Carolina
8 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Dobson?
Use this page to compare every school in Dobson 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.
Surry Early College
High · Surry County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dobson Elementary
Elementary · Surry County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Copeland Elementary
Elementary · Surry County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Dobson for 2026 are Surry Early College (8.1/10), Dobson Elementary (7.8/10), and Copeland Elementary (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$138,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$138,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Dobson
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surry Early College | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Dobson Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Copeland Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Rockford Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Surry Online Magnet School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Central Middle | 5.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Surry Central High | 5.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Salem Christian Academy | 4.9 / 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
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $57,087
- Median home value
- $138,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Dobson compares
North Carolina rank
#75 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$57k
84% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Dobson, North Carolina
Dobson, North Carolina is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.7 out of 10, schools in Dobson 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 Dobson is Surry Early College with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Dobson is served by 1 school district: Surry County Schools. These districts collectively serve 7,352 students.
Dobson's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $57,087. The poverty rate in the area is 16.3%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 346 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 258 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 350 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Salem Christian Academy
Private
87 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.9 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 484 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 303 students · 9th–UG | 8.1 |
| 2 | 668 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 119 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.1 |
Schools in Dobson
Dobson, North Carolina · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$57,087
Median Home Value
$138,800
Median Rent
$676/mo
Population
9,594
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Community Profile
Dobson has a median household income of $57,087. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,800, with a median rent of $676/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
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 Dobson, North Carolina
How many schools are in Dobson, North Carolina?
Dobson has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dobson, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dobson is 6.7 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 Dobson, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Dobson on MySchoolScout is Surry Early College with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dobson, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dobson on MySchoolScout is Dobson Elementary with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Dobson, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Dobson on MySchoolScout is Central Middle with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Dobson, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Dobson on MySchoolScout is Surry Early College with a composite score of 8.1/10.
How many school districts serve Dobson, North Carolina?
Dobson is served by 1 school district: Surry County Schools.
What is the education level in Dobson, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Dobson have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dobson, North Carolina?
The median household income in Dobson is approximately $57,087 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dobson, North Carolina?
Yes, Dobson has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Salem Christian Academy with a score of 4.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dobson, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dobson is 19.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dobson, North Carolina?
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, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.