Very Good
#452 of 1,793 schools in MA
Top 25% in state
Dawson
Elementary School · Wachusett · Holden, MA
A Wachusett elementary school where students score 9 points above what's typical for similar communities.
155 Salisbury Street, Holden, MA 01520
- Math 68% vs MA 42% (2025)
- Reading 65% vs MA 41% (2025)
- 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Dawson score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
2025 MCAS proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MA average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 9 points since 2022, reaching 67% in 2025.
Show all 17 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 67% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 67% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 76 test records from MA state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
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 Dawson sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Boston map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 22Car-Dependent
- Bike 22Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Average315/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Holden), 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
$147,582
Median home value
$444,300
Median rent
$1,578/mo
College educated
58.2%
Homeownership
85.3%
Poverty rate
3.6%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 01520; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holden Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | 5.8private | PK–8 | 0.9 mi | 78 | Compare → |
| Davis Hill ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 6.3 | K–5 | 1.4 mi | 475 | Compare → |
| Leroy E.mayoEnrollment path unverified | 5.7 | K–5 | 1.5 mi | 479 | Compare → |
| Houghton ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 5.8 | K–4 | Not available | 318 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Wachusett
- Schools in district
- 13
- Rank in district
- #1 of 13
- District spending per student
- $18,152NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 2.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
Dawson is listed in Wachusett; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Dawson
Dawson is a public elementary school in Holden, MA, part of Wachusett, serving approximately 488 students in grades Kindergarten-5th with a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #452 of 1,793 schools in MA. State assessment records show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #452 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Dawson's MySchoolScout rating?
Dawson has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Dawson?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dawson has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 488
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Worcester County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.7%
- Phone
- (508) 829-6828
- Area population (ZIP 01520)
- 16,864
- Area average commute
- 26 min
- Area median age
- 41.4
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 · 2025 MCAS · 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 from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MCAS · 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 from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- State assessments · 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 01520; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.