Average
#1011 of 1,356 schools in AL
James Dawson Elementary
Elementary School · Huntsville City
5308 Mastin Lake Rd NW, Huntsville, AL 35810
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Huntsville
#37 of 47
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#673 of 696
In district
#36 of 43
Huntsville City
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About James Dawson Elementary
James Dawson Elementary is a regular public school located in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and is situated in a mid-size city. With an enrollment of 447 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.3:1, James Dawson Elementary offers a supportive learning environment.
The school has 22 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to the education and development of their students. According to MySchoolScout, James Dawson Elementary has a rating of 2.7 out of 10, placing it in the 5th percentile among Alabama schools. The academic performance of the school, as measured by test scores, indicates there is room for improvement.
On the ELA/Reading test, 22% of students are proficient or above, while only 3% are proficient in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to student development and growth. James Dawson Elementary is situated in a neighborhood where the median household income is $46,285 and the median home value is $113,500.
Approximately 21.3% of the population lives below the poverty line, and about 24% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is part of a community that values education and is working to support its students in achieving their full potential. James Dawson Elementary is nestled in a neighborhood that reflects a blend of economic diversity and community spirit, with a strong commitment to the educational success of its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at James Dawson Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at James Dawson Elementary is 20.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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James Dawson Elementary — Students at James Dawson Elementary score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.
How James Dawson Elementary Compares
See how James Dawson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 3% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
5308 Mastin Lake Rd NW, Huntsville, AL 35810
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Dawson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF HUNTSVILLE IAH (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Academy For Science Foreign Language (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Highlands Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35810 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,963
Median Home Value
$126,100
Median Rent
$1,097/mo
Population
32,705
College Educated
23.5%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
21.1%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Dawson Elementary has a median household income of $46,963. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $126,100, with a median rent of $1,097/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Daphne, AL | 5.4 |
| Holly Pond Elementary School Holly Pond, AL | 5.4 |
| Midfield Elementary School Midfield, AL | 5.4 |
| Nixon Elementary School Montgomery, AL | 5.5 |
| Tanner Elementary School Tanner, AL | 5.5 |
| Charles F Hard Elementary School Bessemer, AL | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Dawson Elementary
What grades does James Dawson Elementary serve?
James Dawson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend James Dawson Elementary?
James Dawson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Dawson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James Dawson Elementary is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Dawson Elementary rank in AL?
James Dawson Elementary is ranked #1011 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is James Dawson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James Dawson Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James Dawson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Dawson Elementary has 11.8% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Dawson Elementary a charter school?
No, James Dawson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Dawson Elementary a Title I school?
No, James Dawson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Dawson Elementary?
88.8% of students at James Dawson Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,879/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huntsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 447
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Madison County
- Phone
- (256) 428-7500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Huntsville City- District Enrollment
- 23,649
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,146
- District Rank
- #36 of 43
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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