Average
#1704 of 2,268 schools in GA
Dawson Elementary School
Elementary School · Muscogee County
180 Northstar Dr, Columbus, GA 31907
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbus
#25 of 49
public schools
Georgia elementary schools
#1,026 of 1,301
In district
#26 of 53
Muscogee County
About Dawson Elementary School
Dawson Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Columbus, Georgia, nestled in the heart of Muscogee County. With an enrollment of 311 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, Dawson provides a focused learning environment with 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' education. The school serves children from Pre-K through fifth grade, offering a range of educational programs suited for young learners.
While Dawson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating stands at 2.7 out of 10 and its state ranking is #2157 out of 2271 schools in Georgia (placing it near the bottom percentile), these metrics reflect areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth, particularly with proficiency rates of 11% in ELA/Reading and 8% in Math. The community around Dawson Elementary School is set within a mid-size city, providing students with access to various cultural and educational resources. Dawson Elementary School is situated in a vibrant urban setting where educators work tirelessly to support their students' learning journey.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Dawson Elementary School 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Dawson Elementary School — Students at Dawson Elementary School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 6.1/10.
How Dawson Elementary School Compares
See how Dawson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 10.4% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 16% (2024).
Location
180 Northstar Dr, Columbus, GA 31907
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dawson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wesley Heights Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Georgetown Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Martin Luther King- Jr. Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| St. Marys Video and Communication Technology Columbus | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| PINEHURST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Columbus | 0.9 mi | — |
| Dimon Elementary Columbus | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Rothschild Leadership Academy School Columbus | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Lonnie Jackson Academy Columbus | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Georgetown Elementary School Columbus | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Kendrick High School Columbus | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| East Columbus Magnet Academy Columbus | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Spencer High School Columbus | 2.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Wesley Heights Elementary School Columbus | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Carver High School Columbus | 2.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Baker Middle School Columbus | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Martin Luther King- Jr. Elementary School Columbus | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Dorothy Height Elementary School Columbus | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Brewer Elementary School Columbus | 2.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Fort Middle School Columbus | 3.0 mi | 3.5 |
| ST ANNE-PACELLI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbus | 3.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Rainey McCullers School of the Arts Columbus | 3.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Rigdon Road Elementary School Columbus | 3.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Forrest Road Elementary School Columbus | 3.3 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 31907 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,620
Median Home Value
$142,000
Median Rent
$1,103/mo
Population
61,544
College Educated
22.6%
Homeownership
56.7%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
18.2%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dawson Elementary School has a median household income of $52,620. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,000, with a median rent of $1,103/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Davis Elementary School Columbus, GA | 5.2 |
| Ellis Elementary School Savannah, GA | 5.2 |
| Emma Hutchinson Elementary School Atlanta, GA | 5.2 |
| Glanton Elementary Grantville, GA | 5.2 |
| Riverbend Elementary School Gainesville, GA | 5.2 |
| Bettye Henderson Holston Elementary School Athens, GA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dawson Elementary School
What grades does Dawson Elementary School serve?
Dawson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dawson Elementary School?
Dawson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 311 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dawson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dawson Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dawson Elementary School rank in GA?
Dawson Elementary School is ranked #1704 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Dawson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dawson Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Dawson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dawson Elementary School has 8.1% math proficiency and 10.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dawson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Dawson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dawson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Dawson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dawson Elementary School?
100.0% of students at Dawson 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,842/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbus). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 311
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Muscogee County
- Phone
- (706) 683-8732
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Muscogee County- District Enrollment
- 29,698
- Schools in District
- 53
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,792
- District Rank
- #26 of 53
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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