Average
#694 of 966 schools in NE
Dawes Middle School
Middle School · LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
5130 COLFAX STREET, Lincoln, NE 68504
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lincoln
#43 of 61
public schools
Nebraska middle schools
#98 of 133
In district
#42 of 60
LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
About Dawes Middle School
DAWES MIDDLE SCHOOL is a public middle school in Lincoln, Nebraska, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 396 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1, DAWES offers personalized attention that helps foster individual growth. The school has 39 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
Academically, DAWES MIDDLE SCHOOL is ranked #657 out of 974 schools in Nebraska, placing it at the 33rd percentile. While the MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.6/10 and the academic score is 2.5/10, the school focuses on student development with room for improvement in test scores, where 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 32% are proficient or above in Math. DAWES MIDDLE SCHOOL is situated in a large city setting within Lincoln, providing students with diverse opportunities beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Dawes Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dawes Middle School — Students at Dawes Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NE 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: 6.0/10.
How Dawes Middle School Compares
See how Dawes Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 29% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 34% (2022).
Location
5130 COLFAX STREET, Lincoln, NE 68504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dawes Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MICKLE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CULLER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lincoln, see our Lincoln schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HUNTINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| PERSHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| LINCOLN NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL Lincoln | 1.1 mi | 3.9 |
| INFANT TODDLER AT LINCOLN NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL Lincoln | 1.1 mi | — |
| BROWNELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| MICKLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lincoln | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| RILEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL Lincoln | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| LINCOLN LUTHERAN MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL Lincoln | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| NORWOOD PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| CULLER MIDDLE SCHOOL Lincoln | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| NORTH STAR HIGH SCHOOL Lincoln | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| KAHOA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| HARTLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| CAMPBELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln | 2.0 mi | 4.4 |
| ECSE - HOMEBASED Lincoln | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| INFANT TODDLER AT BRYAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Lincoln | 2.8 mi | — |
| EASTRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lincoln | 3.0 mi | 5.2 |
| ST JOHN THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lincoln | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 68504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,159
Median Home Value
$169,000
Median Rent
$1,014/mo
Population
17,396
College Educated
33%
Homeownership
28.8%
Avg Commute
19.2 min
Poverty Rate
19.8%
Median Age
28.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dawes Middle School has a median household income of $52,159. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,000, with a median rent of $1,014/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| CRETE MIDDLE SCHOOL Crete, NE | 5.2 |
| ASHLAND-GREENWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Ashland, NE | 5.5 |
| BELLEVUE MISSION MIDDLE SCHOOL Bellevue, NE | 5.5 |
| SUNRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL Kearney, NE | 5.5 |
| BEATRICE MIDDLE SCHOOL Beatrice, NE | 5.6 |
| SCHUYLER MIDDLE SCHOOL Schuyler, NE | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dawes Middle School
What grades does Dawes Middle School serve?
Dawes Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Dawes Middle School?
Dawes Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dawes Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dawes Middle School is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dawes Middle School rank in NE?
Dawes Middle School is ranked #694 out of 966 schools in NE.
What is Dawes Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dawes Middle School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Dawes Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dawes Middle School has 32.3% math proficiency and 37.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dawes Middle School a charter school?
No, Dawes Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dawes Middle School a Title I school?
No, Dawes Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dawes Middle School?
76.5% of students at Dawes Middle 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
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,817/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lincoln). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 396
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Lancaster County
- Phone
- (402) 436-1211
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 41,654
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,573
- District Rank
- #42 of 60
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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