Needs Improvement
#841 of 862 schools in MS
Dawson Elementary School
Elementary School · JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
4215 SUNSET DRIVE, Jackson, MS 39213
Enrollment
194
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
194
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jackson
#43 of 47
public schools
Mississippi elementary schools
#424 of 436
In district
#42 of 46
JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Dawson Elementary School
Dawson Elementary School is a regular public school located in Jackson, Mississippi, nestled on Sunset Drive. Serving preschool through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 194 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1 with 15 full-time equivalent teachers. Dawson Elementary focuses on providing personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
Academically, Dawson Elementary School is ranked #833 out of 865 schools in Mississippi, placing it in the 4th percentile statewide. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating is currently 2.5/10 with a more detailed academic score of 2.0/10. In terms of proficiency rates, only 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 12% in Math.
While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school continues to work diligently on enhancing student development. Dawson Elementary is situated within a mid-size city setting, offering its students opportunities to engage with their community through various local resources and activities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 194 students, Dawson Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Dawson Elementary School — Students at Dawson Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from MS 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: 1.7/10.
How Dawson Elementary School Compares
See how Dawson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
4215 SUNSET DRIVE, Jackson, MS 39213
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dawson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is JOHNSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CLAUSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jackson, see our Jackson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| POWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| JOHNSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| WALTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| PECAN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 2.6 mi | 3.4 |
| LANIER HIGH SCHOOL Jackson | 2.7 mi | 7.9 |
| GALLOWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| NORTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| MAGNOLIA SPEECH SCHOOL Jackson | 2.5 mi | 8.6 |
| RAINES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 2.7 mi | 5.5 |
| PROVINE HIGH SCHOOL Jackson | 3.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Ambition Preparatory Charter School Jackson | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| CARES SCHOOL Jackson | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| BLACKBURN MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson | 3.7 mi | 4.0 |
| CLAUSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 3.7 mi | 6.8 |
| MOTHER GOOSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jackson | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| BAILEY MIDDLE APAC SCHOOL Jackson | 3.4 mi | 6.4 |
| NORTH JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 39213 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$28,115
Median Home Value
$73,600
Median Rent
$773/mo
Population
18,831
College Educated
14.6%
Homeownership
46.6%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
33.4%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dawson Elementary School has a median household income of $28,115. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $73,600, with a median rent of $773/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| DURANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Durant, MS | 3.2 |
| WEDDINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Greenville, MS | 3.2 |
| WEST BOLIVAR ELEM Rosedale, MS | 3.2 |
| BOOKER T WASHINGTON INTERN. STUDIES Clarksdale, MS | 3.6 |
| GOODMAN PICKENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Goodman, MS | 3.0 |
| EDNA M SCOTT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Leland, MS | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dawson Elementary School
What grades does Dawson Elementary School serve?
Dawson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dawson Elementary School?
Dawson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 194 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dawson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dawson Elementary School is 12.9:1. 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 MS?
Dawson Elementary School is ranked #841 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is Dawson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dawson Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.4 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 11.6% math proficiency and 25.6% 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?
100.0% 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 194
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hinds County
- Phone
- (601) 987-3513
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 17,747
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,713
- District Rank
- #42 of 46
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.
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