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Average

#1967 of 3,192 schools in MI

Dawson Elementary School

Elementary School · Allegan Public Schools

550 5TH ST, Allegan, MI 49010

Enrollment

286

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,967 of 3,192

In Allegan

#5 of 10

public schools

In district

#5 of 8

Allegan Public Schools

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Dawson Elementary School

5.8/10

Elementary School in Allegan · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hillside Learning Center

5.5/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Le White Middle School

6.3/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dawson Elementary School

Dawson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Allegan, MI, part of Allegan Public Schools. Dawson Elementary School serves approximately 286 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Dawson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,967 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Dawson Elementary School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

30% of students at Dawson Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.6% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+2.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,583
Chronic Absenteeism30.4%

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 50.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 56.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
43.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
37%
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: 4.4/10.

How Dawson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in MI
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
6.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

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. Hopkins Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Hopkins), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gobles Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Gobles), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Allegan Online K8 (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 5.5
LE White Middle School Allegan 0.6 mi 6.3
Allegan High School Allegan 0.6 mi 5.4
West Ward Elementary School Allegan 0.7 mi 6.2
North Ward Elementary School Allegan 0.8 mi 5.6
Allegan Alternative High School Allegan 1.3 mi 6.1
Allegan Online K8 Allegan 1.3 mi 6.8
Pine Trails Elementary School Allegan 2.0 mi 4.2
Outlook Academy Allegan 1.9 mi 5.6
Outlook Academy Youth Home Campus Allegan 3.4 mi
Hopkins Elementary School Hopkins 7.9 mi 7.9
Hopkins High School Hopkins 8.0 mi 6.6
Hopkins Middle School Hopkins 8.0 mi 4.9
GOBLES JR ACADEMY Gobles 9.4 mi
Gobles Elementary School Gobles 11.7 mi 7.2
Gobles High School Gobles 11.7 mi 6.1
Gobles Virtual Academy Gobles 11.7 mi 7.2
Otsego West Campus High School Otsego 9.4 mi
Otsego High School Otsego 9.4 mi 6.8
Bloomingdale Middle and High School Bloomingdale 11.2 mi 5.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Baldwin Elementary School Baldwin, MI 5.8
Bangor West Central School Bay City, MI 5.8
Barber Elementary School Highland Park, MI 5.8
Blesch Intermediate School Menominee, MI 5.8
Dimondale Elementary School Dimondale, MI 5.8
Emma V Lobbestael Elem School Harrison Township, MI 5.8

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 ranks #1,967 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Dawson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dawson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dawson Elementary School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

District

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

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