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Very Good

#934 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 29% in state

Dawson Elementary School

Elementary School · Allegan Public Schools

550 5TH ST, Allegan, MI 49010

Enrollment

286

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Allegan

#3 of 10

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#566 of 1,602

In district

#3 of 8

Allegan Public Schools

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Dawson Elementary School

Dawson Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the town of Allegan, Michigan. With an enrollment of 286 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. The dedicated staff includes 17 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to ensure that every student receives a strong educational foundation.

Dawson Elementary School’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.1 out of 10, reflecting areas where the school can focus on improvement while recognizing its solid academic performance. On state rankings, Dawson holds the 63rd percentile among Michigan schools, indicating it's in the middle range when compared to other institutions across the state. Students perform at a level that shows room for growth, with 41% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 43% proficient or above in Math.

Dawson Elementary School is situated in a close-knit town setting where community involvement plays an important role in supporting students’ development both inside and outside the classroom.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.8%
Math vs. State Avg+2.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,361

Dawson Elementary School — Students at Dawson Elementary School score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.9%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 40.9%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
37.8%

* 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 Dawson Elementary School Compares

See how Dawson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
71th percentile in MI
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

550 5TH ST, Allegan, MI 49010

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dawson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Ward Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hopkins Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Hopkins), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Gobles Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Gobles), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Allegan, see our Allegan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Hillside Learning Center Allegan 0.5 mi 5.2
LE White Middle School Allegan 0.6 mi 7.7
Allegan High School Allegan 0.6 mi 3.9
West Ward Elementary School Allegan 0.7 mi 6.8
North Ward Elementary School Allegan 0.8 mi 8.6
Allegan Alternative High School Allegan 1.3 mi 6.9
Allegan Online K8 Allegan 1.3 mi 6.5
Pine Trails Elementary School Allegan 2.0 mi 4.5
Outlook Academy Allegan 1.9 mi 5.9
Outlook Academy Youth Home Campus Allegan 3.4 mi
Hopkins Elementary School Hopkins 7.9 mi 7.3
Hopkins High School Hopkins 8.0 mi 5.1
Hopkins Middle School Hopkins 8.0 mi 4.6
GOBLES JR ACADEMY Gobles 9.4 mi
Gobles Elementary School Gobles 11.7 mi 7.2
Gobles High School Gobles 11.7 mi 4.2
Gobles Virtual Academy Gobles 11.7 mi 8.2
Otsego West Campus High School Otsego 9.4 mi
Otsego High School Otsego 9.4 mi 7.5
Bloomingdale Middle and High School Bloomingdale 11.2 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49010 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,361

Median Home Value

$204,200

Median Rent

$1,061/mo

Population

18,394

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

85.2%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dawson Elementary School has a median household income of $72,361. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,200, with a median rent of $1,061/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Addison Elementary School Addison, MI 7.1
Bean Elementary School Spring Arbor, MI 7.1
Breckenridge Elementary School Breckenridge, MI 7.1
Cleveland Elementary Port Huron, MI 7.1
George D Gilbert Elementary School Gwinn, MI 7.1
GodfreyLee Early Childhood Ctr Wyoming, MI 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dawson Elementary School

What grades does Dawson Elementary School serve?

Dawson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Dawson Elementary School?

Dawson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 286 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dawson Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dawson Elementary School is 16.8:1. 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 MI?

Dawson Elementary School is ranked #934 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Dawson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dawson Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 42.9% math proficiency and 40.9% 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?

60.1% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (661/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Allegan). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Allegan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Allegan Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,128
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,583
District Rank
#3 of 8

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 methodology

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