Very Good
#707 of 2,268 schools in GA
Top 31% in state
Varnell Elementary School
Elementary School · Whitfield County · Dalton, GA
A Whitfield County elementary school where students score 6 points above what's typical for similar communities.
3900 Cleveland Rd, Dalton, GA 30721
- Math 49% vs GA 42% (2024)
- Reading 36% vs GA 42% (2024)
- 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Varnell Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
2024 GA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. GA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 5 points since 2020, reaching 42% in 2024.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 59% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 57% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 30 test records from GA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
73.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Varnell Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 30Car-Dependent
- Bike 36Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,154/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Dalton), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$57,749
Median home value
$172,500
Median rent
$898/mo
College educated
11.8%
Homeownership
64.6%
Poverty rate
16%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 30721; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hope Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.8 | K–5 | 2.9 mi | 492 | Compare → |
| Beaverdale Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.5 | PK–5 | 4.5 mi | 503 | Compare → |
| Cohutta Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.4 | PK–5 | 4.5 mi | 294 | Compare → |
| Pleasant Grove Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.2 | PK–5 | 4.6 mi | 443 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Whitfield County
- Schools in district
- 22
- Rank in district
- #10 of 22
- District spending per student
- $13,284NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 18.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
Varnell Elementary School is listed in Whitfield County; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Varnell Elementary School
Varnell Elementary School is a public elementary school in Dalton, GA, part of Whitfield County, serving approximately 389 students in grades Kindergarten-5th with a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #707 of 2,268 schools in GA. State assessment records show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Varnell Elementary School
What grades does Varnell Elementary School serve?
Varnell Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Varnell Elementary School?
Varnell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 389 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Varnell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Varnell Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Varnell Elementary School rank in GA?
Varnell Elementary School ranks #707 of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Varnell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Varnell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Varnell Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Varnell Elementary School has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Varnell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Varnell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Varnell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Varnell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Varnell Elementary School?
73.3% of students at Varnell 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 389
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Whitfield County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 14.1%
- Phone
- (706) 694-3471
- Area population (ZIP 30721)
- 52,477
- Area average commute
- 21.4 min
- Area median age
- 36.5
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 GA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 GA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 GA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 GA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 30721; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
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