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Very Good

#564 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 21% in state

Dobson Elementary

Elementary School · Surry County Schools

PO Box 248, Dobson, NC 27017

Enrollment

346

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#564 of 2,648

In Dobson

#2 of 7

public schools

In district

#6 of 20

Surry County Schools

Equity

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Dobson Elementary

7.8/10

Elementary School in Dobson · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Central Middle

5.9/10

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

Surry Online Magnet School

6.1/10

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

About Dobson Elementary

Dobson Elementary is a public elementary school in Dobson, NC, part of Surry County Schools. Dobson Elementary serves approximately 346 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Dobson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #564 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Dobson Elementary show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Dobson Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.2% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.6 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,301
Chronic Absenteeism14.2%

Dobson Elementary — Students at Dobson Elementary score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 58.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
94%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
74.5%
ELA
57.8%
2025
Math
70.5%
ELA
60%

* 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 Dobson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
79th percentile in NC
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.7/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby State Road), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Rockford Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, White Plains Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Mount Airy), with a very similar 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 5.9
Surry Online Magnet School Dobson 0.5 mi 6.1
Surry Early College Dobson 0.9 mi 8.1
Surry Central High Dobson 1.1 mi 5.6
SALEM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dobson 1.9 mi 4.9
Rockford Elementary Dobson 2.4 mi 7.5
White Plains Elementary Mount Airy 5.0 mi 7.5
Copeland Elementary Dobson 5.8 mi 7.5
Meadowview Magnet Middle Mount Airy 7.2 mi 6.7
WHITE PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Airy 6.8 mi 6.3
North Surry High Mount Airy 8.2 mi 5.1
J Sam Gentry Middle Mount Airy 8.2 mi 6.6
Mountain Park Elementary State Road 7.1 mi 8.7
Franklin Elementary Mount Airy 8.4 mi 6.9
Cedar Ridge Elementary Lowgap 8.9 mi 5.6
Bruce H. Tharrington Primary Mount Airy 9.6 mi 6.8
Mount Airy High Mount Airy 10.2 mi 6.9
Boonville Elementary Boonville 11.3 mi 4.9
Mount Airy Middle Mount Airy 10.3 mi 6.6
Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy 11.0 mi 4.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A.C.E. Academy Harrisburg, NC 7.8
Brush Creek Elementary Marshall, NC 7.8
Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary Smyrna, NC 7.8
Dr John Codington Elem Wilmington, NC 7.8
Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School Forest City, NC 7.8
Friendship Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 7.8

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 ranks #564 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Dobson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Dobson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Dobson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dobson Elementary has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.2%

District

Surry County Schools
District Enrollment
7,352
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,301
District Rank
#6 of 20

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