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Needs Improvement

#8457 of 8,552 schools in TX

Dawson EL

Elementary School · AUSTIN ISD

3001 S 1ST ST, Austin, TX 78704

Enrollment

224

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

2.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#8,457 of 8,552

In Austin

#232 of 241

public schools

In district

#112 of 118

AUSTIN ISD

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Dawson EL

2.4/10

Elementary School in Austin · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

San Juan Diego Catholic High School

8.2/10

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

St Austin Catholic School

6.8/10

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

About Dawson EL

Dawson EL is a public elementary school in Austin, TX, part of AUSTIN ISD. Dawson EL serves approximately 224 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Dawson EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks #8,457 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Dawson EL show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares3.3 pts below district
  • This school 2.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.7
  • TX avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 9.7:1 students to teachers, Dawson EL sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

43% of students at Dawson EL were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-6.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.3 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-21.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,950
Chronic Absenteeism42.9%

Dawson EL — Students at Dawson EL score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

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 STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 61.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
20.5%
ELA
27.2%
2024
Math
16%
ELA
23%

* 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: 1.2/10.

How Dawson EL Compares

See how Dawson EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.4/10
1th percentile in TX
Academic
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BECKER EL (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 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 4.7
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 4.7
ST IGNATIUS MARTYR CATHOLIC SCHOOL Austin 0.7 mi 6.1
ST ELMO EL Austin 1.0 mi 3.9
LIVELY MIDDLE Austin 1.0 mi 6.0
BECKER EL Austin 1.1 mi 7.8
DAEP- EL Austin 1.1 mi
TRAVIS HTS EL Austin 1.2 mi 6.6
TRAVIS EARLY COLLEGE H S Austin 1.2 mi 3.8
GRADUATION PREPARATORY ACADEMY Austin 1.2 mi 4.3
WATERLOO SCHOOL Austin 1.3 mi 5.4
ZILKER EL Austin 1.4 mi 8.8
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL-AUSTIN SOUTH CAMPUS Lewisville 1.3 mi 3.0
RICHARDS SCH FOR YOUNG WOMEN LEADERS Austin 1.5 mi 7.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DOUGLASS EL San Antonio, TX 2.4
GLEN COUCH EL Garland, TX 2.4
HAMLET EL Amarillo, TX 2.5
HUPPERTZ EL San Antonio, TX 2.3
STAFFORD EL San Antonio, TX 2.3
IGNITE COMMUNITY SCHOOL - PASADENA Lewisville, TX 2.2

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 ranks #8,457 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Dawson EL's MySchoolScout rating?

Dawson EL has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 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 Dawson EL?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dawson EL has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
78 Very Walkable
Transit Score
49 Some Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.9%

District

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

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