Needs Improvement
#8142 of 8,547 schools in TX
Dawson EL
Elementary School · AUSTIN ISD
3001 S 1ST ST, Austin, TX 78704
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Austin
#220 of 238
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#4,323 of 4,678
In district
#110 of 118
AUSTIN ISD
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Dawson EL
Dawson Elementary serves 224 students in grades Pre-K through 5th in Austin's vibrant 78704 neighborhood. This regular public school maintains an impressive 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio with 23 full-time equivalent teachers, providing personalized attention that contributes to its strong academic reputation. The school has earned recognition as one of Texas's top-performing elementary schools, ranking #157 out of 8,598 schools statewide and placing in the 98th percentile.
This achievement reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and places it among the elite public elementary schools in the state. MySchoolScout rates Dawson Elementary 7.3 out of 10, indicating solid overall performance. Dawson Elementary draws from a well-educated community where 69% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood shows strong economic stability with a median household income of $89,258 and median home values of $721,200. Despite the area's prosperity, 12% of residents live below the poverty line, suggesting the school serves families from diverse economic backgrounds. Located on South 1st Street, Dawson Elementary sits in the heart of Austin's dynamic urban landscape, offering students access to the cultural and educational opportunities that come with big city living while maintaining the focused, community-centered environment of a neighborhood elementary school.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Dawson EL offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Dawson EL — Students at Dawson EL score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX 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: 2.0/10.
How Dawson EL Compares
See how Dawson EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 12% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 22% (2021).
Location
3001 S 1ST ST, Austin, TX 78704
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dawson EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ZILKER EL (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GALINDO EL (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST AUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Austin, see our Austin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SAN JUAN DIEGO CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Austin | 0.5 mi | 8.2 |
| ST AUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Austin | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Austin | 0.6 mi | — |
| TRAVIS COUNTY J J A E P Austin | 0.6 mi | — |
| TRAVIS COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Austin | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| TRAVIS CO J J A E P Del Valle | 0.6 mi | — |
| TRAVIS CO J J A E P Pflugerville | 0.6 mi | — |
| GALINDO EL Austin | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| ST IGNATIUS MARTYR CATHOLIC SCHOOL Austin | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| ST ELMO EL Austin | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| LIVELY MIDDLE Austin | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| BECKER EL Austin | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| DAEP- EL Austin | 1.1 mi | — |
| TRAVIS HTS EL Austin | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| TRAVIS EARLY COLLEGE H S Austin | 1.2 mi | 3.7 |
| GRADUATION PREPARATORY ACADEMY Austin | 1.2 mi | 3.6 |
| WATERLOO SCHOOL Austin | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| ZILKER EL Austin | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL-AUSTIN SOUTH CAMPUS Lewisville | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| RICHARDS SCH FOR YOUNG WOMEN LEADERS Austin | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78704 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,160
Median Home Value
$862,000
Median Rent
$1,755/mo
Population
50,479
College Educated
70.4%
Homeownership
33.2%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
34.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dawson EL has a median household income of $97,160. It is a well-educated community where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $862,000, with a median rent of $1,755/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. 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 |
|---|---|
| COMPASS ROSE DREAM San Antonio, TX | 3.6 |
| NEWMAN EL El Paso, TX | 3.6 |
| ADELLE TURNER EL Dallas, TX | 3.7 |
| BASKIN EL San Antonio, TX | 3.5 |
| CROCKETT EL Greenville, TX | 3.7 |
| EDUCATION CENTER INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY 1 Mesquite, TX | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dawson EL
What grades does Dawson EL serve?
Dawson EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dawson EL?
Dawson EL has an enrollment of approximately 224 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dawson EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Dawson EL is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dawson EL rank in TX?
Dawson EL is ranked #8142 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Dawson EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Dawson EL has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Dawson EL?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dawson EL has 29.5% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dawson EL a charter school?
No, Dawson EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dawson EL a Title I school?
No, Dawson EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dawson EL?
79.5% of students at Dawson EL qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,724/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Austin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 224
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Travis County
- Phone
- (512) 414-2070
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
AUSTIN ISD- District Enrollment
- 72,830
- Schools in District
- 123
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,950
- District Rank
- #110 of 118
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
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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