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Excellent

#45 of 1,786 schools in TN

Top 3% in state

Dodson Branch Elementary

Elementary School · Jackson County

16221 Dodson Branch HWY, Cookeville, TN 38501

Enrollment

277

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

9.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#45 of 1,786

In Cookeville

#1 of 13

public schools

In district

#1 of 4

Jackson County

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Dodson Branch Elementary

9.2/10

Elementary School in Cookeville · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cookeville High School

6.1/10

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

Jere Whitson Elementary

7.9/10

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

About Dodson Branch Elementary

Dodson Branch Elementary is a public elementary school in Cookeville, TN, part of Jackson County. Dodson Branch Elementary serves approximately 277 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Dodson Branch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 out of 10 and ranks #45 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Dodson Branch Elementary show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 9.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 9.1
  • TN avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

Dodson Branch 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 Progress9.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73.4% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg+34.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.2 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected+27.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,716
Chronic Absenteeism14.1%

Dodson Branch Elementary — Students at Dodson Branch Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 36.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 30 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2009
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
42.1%
2025
Math
73.4%
ELA
43%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Dodson Branch Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
9.2/10
98th percentile in TN
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.1%

Location

16221 Dodson Branch HWY, Cookeville, TN 38501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dodson Branch Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gainesboro Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Gainesboro), with a very similar rating. Another option is Algood Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Algood), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Capshaw Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 10.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cookeville, see our Cookeville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Cookeville High School Cookeville 8.4 mi 6.1
Jere Whitson Elementary Cookeville 8.6 mi 7.9
ALGOOD CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY Cookeville 8.2 mi
HIGHLAND RIM ACADEMY Cookeville 8.9 mi 5.5
Sycamore Elementary Cookeville 9.1 mi 6.4
T T U Child Development Lab Cookeville 9.4 mi
Gainesboro Elementary Gainesboro 7.8 mi 9.0
Hilham Elementary Hilham 8.7 mi 7.3
Putnam Co Adult High School Cookeville 9.0 mi
White Plains Academy Algood 9.0 mi 4.4
Cane Creek Elementary Cookeville 10.1 mi 8.5
CHANCE TRANSITIONAL SCHOOL Bloomington Springs 9.4 mi
Northeast Elementary Cookeville 10.1 mi 8.5
Algood Elementary Algood 10.0 mi 8.8
Algood Middle School Cookeville 10.1 mi 7.9
Capshaw Elementary Cookeville 10.6 mi 8.6
Jackson County High School Gainesboro 9.3 mi 5.5
Avery Trace Middle School Cookeville 10.6 mi 7.2
Jackson County Middle School Gainesboro 9.3 mi 7.0
Park View Elementary Cookeville 10.9 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,923

Median Home Value

$245,100

Median Rent

$856/mo

Population

42,422

College Educated

30.8%

Homeownership

49.4%

Avg Commute

21.4 min

Poverty Rate

20%

Median Age

31.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Andersonville Elementary Andersonville, TN 9.2
Porter Elementary Maryville, TN 9.2
Beech Elementary Hendersonville, TN 9.1
Kingston Springs Elementary Kingston Springs, TN 9.1
Minor Hill School Minor Hill, TN 9.1
West View School Limestone, TN 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dodson Branch Elementary

What grades does Dodson Branch Elementary serve?

Dodson Branch Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Dodson Branch Elementary?

Dodson Branch Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 277 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dodson Branch Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Dodson Branch Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dodson Branch Elementary rank in TN?

Dodson Branch Elementary ranks #45 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Dodson Branch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Dodson Branch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.2 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 Dodson Branch Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dodson Branch Elementary has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Dodson Branch Elementary a charter school?

No, Dodson Branch Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dodson Branch Elementary a Title I school?

No, Dodson Branch Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Jackson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.1%

District

Jackson County
District Enrollment
1,431
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,716
District Rank
#1 of 4

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