Very Good
#736 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 28% in state
Dobson Elementary
Elementary School · Surry County Schools
PO Box 248, Dobson, NC 27017
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
346
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dobson
#2 of 7
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#613 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 20
Surry County Schools
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Dobson Elementary
Dobson Elementary serves 346 students in grades PK through 05 in the rural community of Dobson, North Carolina. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.0:1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #599 out of 2,661 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile.
Students show particularly strong results in mathematics, with 70% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 60% meet proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. Located in Surry County's rural landscape, Dobson Elementary serves a community where the median household income is $60,602 and median home values are $133,700. The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 12.2%, with 17% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The ZIP code 27017 is home to 9,271 residents. Dobson Elementary provides a small-town educational experience where students can develop strong foundational skills in a close-knit environment. The school sits in the heart of rural North Carolina, where families value community connections and educational growth in a peaceful, countryside setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dobson Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Dobson Elementary — Students at Dobson Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Dobson Elementary Compares
See how Dobson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 70.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 60.2% (2025).
Location
PO Box 248, Dobson, NC 27017
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dobson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mountain Park Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby State Road), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rockford Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Franklin Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dobson, see our Dobson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Middle Dobson | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Surry Online Magnet School Dobson | 0.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Surry Early College Dobson | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Surry Central High Dobson | 1.1 mi | 3.6 |
| SALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dobson | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Rockford Elementary Dobson | 2.4 mi | 7.7 |
| White Plains Elementary Mount Airy | 5.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Copeland Elementary Dobson | 5.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy | 7.2 mi | 7.1 |
| WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy | 6.8 mi | 6.3 |
| North Surry High Mount Airy | 8.2 mi | 4.1 |
| J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy | 8.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Mountain Park Elementary State Road | 7.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Franklin Elementary Mount Airy | 8.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Cedar Ridge Elementary Lowgap | 8.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy | 9.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Mount Airy High Mount Airy | 10.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Boonville Elementary Boonville | 11.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy | 10.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy | 11.0 mi | 3.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,087
Median Home Value
$138,800
Median Rent
$676/mo
Population
9,594
College Educated
15.8%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
25.4 min
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dobson Elementary has a median household income of $57,087. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,800, with a median rent of $676/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Davenport A+ School Lenoir, NC | 7.5 |
| Fall Creek Elementary East Bend, NC | 7.5 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY High Point, NC | 7.5 |
| J W Seabrook Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 7.5 |
| Manchester Elementary Spring Lake, NC | 7.5 |
| Margaret Hearne Elementary Wilson, NC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dobson Elementary
What grades does Dobson Elementary serve?
Dobson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dobson Elementary?
Dobson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dobson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Dobson Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dobson Elementary rank in NC?
Dobson Elementary is ranked #736 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Dobson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dobson Elementary has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Dobson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dobson Elementary has 66.8% math proficiency and 57.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dobson Elementary a charter school?
No, Dobson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dobson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Dobson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dobson Elementary?
99.1% of students at Dobson Elementary 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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 346
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Surry County
- Phone
- (336) 386-8913
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Surry County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,352
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,301
- District Rank
- #6 of 20
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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