Excellent
#188 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 11% in state
Dodson Branch Elementary
Elementary School · Jackson County
16221 Dodson Branch HWY, Cookeville, TN 38501
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cookeville
#6 of 13
public schools
Tennessee elementary schools
#155 of 1,002
In district
#2 of 4
Jackson County
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Dodson Branch Elementary
Dodson Branch Elementary is a public elementary school in Cookeville, TN, part of the Jackson County. The school serves approximately 277 students in grades Pre-K – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 89.5th percentile among TN schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 46% proficiency in math, 7 points above the state average and 38% in reading/language arts, 2 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,923, where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dodson Branch 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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Dodson Branch Elementary — Students at Dodson Branch Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from TN 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: 8.7/10.
How Dodson Branch Elementary Compares
See how Dodson Branch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 50% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 51.3% (2025).
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. Algood Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Algood), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Gainesboro Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Gainesboro), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Park View Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 10.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.7 |
| Jere Whitson Elementary Cookeville | 8.6 mi | 8.4 |
| ALGOOD CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY Cookeville | 8.2 mi | — |
| HIGHLAND RIM ACADEMY Cookeville | 8.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Sycamore Elementary Cookeville | 9.1 mi | 6.8 |
| T T U Child Development Lab Cookeville | 9.4 mi | — |
| Gainesboro Elementary Gainesboro | 7.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Hilham Elementary Hilham | 8.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Putnam Co Adult High School Cookeville | 9.0 mi | — |
| White Plains Academy Algood | 9.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Cane Creek Elementary Cookeville | 10.1 mi | 8.4 |
| CHANCE TRANSITIONAL SCHOOL Bloomington Springs | 9.4 mi | — |
| Northeast Elementary Cookeville | 10.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Algood Elementary Algood | 10.0 mi | 9.0 |
| Algood Middle School Cookeville | 10.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Capshaw Elementary Cookeville | 10.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Jackson County High School Gainesboro | 9.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Avery Trace Middle School Cookeville | 10.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Jackson County Middle School Gainesboro | 9.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Park View Elementary Cookeville | 10.9 mi | 8.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dodson Branch Elementary has a median household income of $50,923. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,100, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Cecil B Rigsby Elementary Pikeville, TN | 8.3 |
| Charleston Elementary School Charleston, TN | 8.3 |
| Homer Pittard Campus School Murfreesboro, TN | 8.3 |
| Hunters Bend Elementary Franklin, TN | 8.3 |
| Ida B. Wells Elementary Nashville, TN | 8.3 |
| Lockeland Elementary Nashville, TN | 8.3 |
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 is ranked #188 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Dodson Branch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dodson Branch Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Dodson Branch Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dodson Branch Elementary has 46.3% math proficiency and 38.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cookeville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (931) 268-0761
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Jackson County- District Enrollment
- 1,431
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,716
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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