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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

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 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-13.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,492

Dawson EL — Students at Dawson EL score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%

* 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.

Overall Score
3.6/10
5th percentile in TX
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

AUSTIN ISD
District Enrollment
72,830
Schools in District
123
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,950
District Rank
#110 of 118

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 methodology

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