Excellent
#213 of 2,268 schools in GA
Top 9% in state
Dames Ferry Elementary School
Elementary School · Jones County
545 Ga Highway 18 W, Gray, GA 31032
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gray
#1 of 5
public schools
Georgia elementary schools
#178 of 1,301
In district
#1 of 7
Jones County
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Dames Ferry Elementary School
Dames Ferry Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gray, GA, part of the Jones County. The school serves approximately 586 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.7th percentile among GA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 51% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 46% in reading/language arts, 4 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $73,598, where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dames Ferry Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Dames Ferry Elementary School — Students at Dames Ferry Elementary School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Dames Ferry Elementary School Compares
See how Dames Ferry Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 60% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 50% (2019) to 51.8% (2024).
Location
545 Ga Highway 18 W, Gray, GA 31032
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dames Ferry Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Burdell Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Macon), with a very similar rating. Another option is Gray Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 4.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lane Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Macon), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gray, see our Gray schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jones County High School Gray | 4.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Gray Station Middle School Gray | 4.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Gray Elementary School Gray | 4.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Clifton Ridge Middle School Macon | 7.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Turner Woods Elementary School Gray | 6.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Mattie Wells Elementary School Macon | 7.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Northeast High School Macon | 8.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Appling Middle School Macon | 8.3 mi | 5.4 |
| MONTESSORI OF MACON Macon | 7.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School Macon | 8.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Lane Elementary School Macon | 8.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Rosa Taylor Elementary School Macon | 8.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Burdell Elementary School Macon | 9.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Academy For Classical Education Macon | 7.9 mi | 6.7 |
| VIP Academy (Virtual) Macon | 9.2 mi | 3.8 |
| WIMBISH ADVENTIST SCHOOL Macon | 8.9 mi | — |
| Springdale Elementary School Macon | 8.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Williams Elementary School Macon | 10.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Price Academy Macon | 10.0 mi | — |
| ST PETER CLAVER Macon | 10.2 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 31032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,598
Median Home Value
$192,400
Median Rent
$1,013/mo
Population
13,755
College Educated
19.5%
Homeownership
85.2%
Avg Commute
29.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
41.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dames Ferry Elementary School has a median household income of $73,598. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,400, with a median rent of $1,013/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashford Park Elementary School Atlanta, GA | 8.3 |
| Bonaire Elementary School Bonaire, GA | 8.3 |
| Briar Vista Elementary School Atlanta, GA | 8.3 |
| Butler Elementary School Savannah, GA | 8.3 |
| Colham Ferry Elementary School Watkinsville, GA | 8.3 |
| E. C. West Elementary School Fairburn, GA | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dames Ferry Elementary School
What grades does Dames Ferry Elementary School serve?
Dames Ferry Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dames Ferry Elementary School?
Dames Ferry Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 586 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dames Ferry Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dames Ferry Elementary School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dames Ferry Elementary School rank in GA?
Dames Ferry Elementary School is ranked #213 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Dames Ferry Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dames Ferry Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Dames Ferry Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dames Ferry Elementary School has 50.5% math proficiency and 46.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dames Ferry Elementary School a charter school?
No, Dames Ferry Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dames Ferry Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Dames Ferry Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dames Ferry Elementary School?
58.5% of students at Dames Ferry Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gray). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 586
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Jones County
- Phone
- (478) 986-2023
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Jones County- District Enrollment
- 4,994
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,846
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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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