Very Good
#525 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 29% in state
Dawson
Elementary School · Wachusett
155 Salisbury Street, Holden, MA 01520
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Holden
#1 of 5
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#323 of 1,022
In district
#1 of 13
Wachusett
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Dawson
Dawson is a public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Holden, a large suburban community in Worcester County. The school enrolls 488 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1 and a team of 32 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a manageable learning environment for young learners. Academically, Dawson earns a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks in the 78th percentile among Massachusetts schools, placing it at #398 statewide.
The school demonstrates solid performance across core subjects, with approximately 61 to 62 percent of students performing at proficient levels or above in reading, math, and science. This balanced performance across disciplines reflects a well-rounded elementary program focused on foundational skills. The school's academic score of 8.0 out of 10 indicates strong foundational instruction, though there is room for growth in helping more students reach proficiency benchmarks.
Parents considering Dawson will find a neighborhood school with experienced staff and a supportive suburban setting designed to serve the local community's elementary-aged children.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Dawson — Students at Dawson score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 54 test records from MA 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: 8.7/10.
How Dawson Compares
See how Dawson performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 56% (2022).
Location
155 Salisbury Street, Holden, MA 01520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dawson may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chandler Magnet (rated 7.7/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Worcester), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Flagg Street (rated 7.6/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Worcester), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Nelson Place (rated 6.7/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Worcester), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Holden, see our Holden schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Holden | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Davis Hill Elementary Holden | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Leroy E.Mayo Holden | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Mountview Middle Holden | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Wachusett Regional High Holden | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Early Childhood Center Jefferson | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| BANCROFT SCHOOL Worcester | 3.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Nelson Place Worcester | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Flagg Street Worcester | 3.8 mi | 7.6 |
| West Tatnuck Worcester | 3.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Norrback Avenue Worcester | 3.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School Worcester | 3.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Tatnuck Worcester | 4.1 mi | 5.2 |
| NOTRE DAME ACADEMY Worcester | 4.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Burncoat Street Worcester | 3.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Forest Grove Middle Worcester | 3.9 mi | 6.0 |
| WORCESTER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Worcester | 4.4 mi | — |
| Francis J McGrath Elementary Worcester | 4.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Chandler Magnet Worcester | 4.6 mi | 7.7 |
| West Boylston Junior/Senior High West Boylston | 3.9 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01520 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$147,582
Median Home Value
$444,300
Median Rent
$1,578/mo
Population
16,864
College Educated
58.2%
Homeownership
85.3%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dawson has a median household income of $147,582. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $444,300, with a median rent of $1,578/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Col John Robinson Westford, MA | 7.2 |
| Cottage Street Sharon, MA | 7.2 |
| Fisher Walpole, MA | 7.2 |
| George H Potter North Dartmouth, MA | 7.2 |
| Goddard School/Science Technical Worcester, MA | 7.2 |
| Granite Valley School Monson, MA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dawson
What grades does Dawson serve?
Dawson serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Dawson?
Dawson has an enrollment of approximately 488 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dawson?
The student-teacher ratio at Dawson is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dawson rank in MA?
Dawson is ranked #525 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Dawson's MySchoolScout rating?
Dawson has a composite rating of 7.2 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?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dawson has 63.3% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dawson a charter school?
No, Dawson is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dawson a Title I school?
No, Dawson is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Holden). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 488
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Worcester County
- Phone
- (508) 829-6828
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wachusett- District Enrollment
- 6,676
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,152
- District Rank
- #1 of 13
Other Schools in This District
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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