Very Good
#707 of 2,268 schools in GA
Top 31% in state
Varnell Elementary School
Elementary School · Whitfield County
3900 Cleveland Rd, Dalton, GA 30721
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
389
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Georgia schools
#707 of 2,268
In Dalton
#11 of 27
public schools
In district
#10 of 22
Whitfield County
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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Varnell Elementary School
Elementary School in Dalton · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North Whitfield Middle School
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Coahulla Creek High School
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Varnell Elementary School
Varnell Elementary School is a public elementary school in Dalton, GA, part of Whitfield County. Varnell Elementary School serves approximately 389 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Varnell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #707 of 2,268 schools in GA.
Structured state assessment records for Varnell Elementary School show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 7.5
- GA avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Varnell Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Varnell Elementary School — Students at Varnell Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from GA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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 Varnell Elementary School Compares
See how Varnell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3900 Cleveland Rd, Dalton, GA 30721
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Varnell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cohutta Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Cohutta), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Tunnel Hill Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Tunnel Hill), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pleasant Grove Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Dalton, see our Dalton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Whitfield Middle School Dalton | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Coahulla Creek High School Dalton | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| New Hope Middle School Dalton | 2.7 mi | 8.5 |
| New Hope Elementary School Dalton | 2.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Northwest Whitfield County High School Tunnel Hill | 3.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Cohutta Elementary School Cohutta | 4.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Pleasant Grove Elementary School Dalton | 4.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Beaverdale Elementary School Dalton | 4.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Hammond Creek Middle School Dalton | 6.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Dawnville Elementary School Dalton | 6.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Park Creek Elementary School Dalton | 7.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Dalton Jr. High School Dalton | 7.3 mi | 6.3 |
| The Dalton Academy Dalton | 7.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center Dalton | 7.4 mi | — |
| Tunnel Hill Elementary School Tunnel Hill | 6.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Phoenix High School Dalton | 7.9 mi | 3.5 |
| CHRISTIAN HERITAGE SCHOOL Dalton | 8.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Westwood Elementary School Dalton | 8.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Roan Elementary School Dalton | 8.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Dalton High School Dalton | 8.5 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 30721 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,749
Median Home Value
$172,500
Median Rent
$898/mo
Population
52,477
College Educated
11.8%
Homeownership
64.6%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
16%
Median Age
36.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cedar Ridge Elementary Dalton, GA | 7.4 |
| Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy Columbus, GA | 7.4 |
| Oglethorpe County Elementary School Lexington, GA | 7.4 |
| Pepperell Elementary Lindale, GA | 7.4 |
| Social Circle Elementary School Social Circle, GA | 7.4 |
| Swain Elementary School Plainville, GA | 7.4 |
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 389
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Whitfield County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 14.1%
- Phone
- (706) 694-3471
Resources & Links
District
Whitfield County- District Enrollment
- 12,151
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,284
- District Rank
- #10 of 22
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