Very Good
#1546 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 18% in state
Dawson School
School · DAWSON ISD
P O BOX 180, Welch, TX 79377
Enrollment
132
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
132
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#92 of 477
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Dawson School
Dawson School serves 132 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the small community of Welch, Texas. This regular public school operates with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1 that allows for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #442 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile among Texas schools.
This impressive ranking reflects the dedication of the school community in providing quality education despite the challenges that can come with serving a small, rural population. Dawson School operates in Dawson County, where the median household income is $36,932 and the median home value is $85,000. The surrounding ZIP code has a population of just 322 residents, with 8% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and a poverty rate of 23.6%.
The school serves as an important anchor institution in this tight-knit rural community. Located in a remote rural area of Texas, Dawson School embodies the spirit of small-town education where every student is known and valued within the broader community fabric.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 132 students, Dawson School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Dawson School 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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Dawson School — Students at Dawson School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78%
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
↑ 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: 9.6/10.
How Dawson School Compares
See how Dawson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 180, Welch, TX 79377
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dawson School may also want to explore other schools in the area. KLONDIKE ISD (rated 8.6/10, 27.0 miles away, in nearby Lamesa), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WELLMAN-UNION SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Wellman), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, O'DONNELL SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby O'Donnell), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Welch, see our Welch schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 44.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LAMESA SCHOOLS Lamesa | 16.1 mi | 5.1 |
| COLONIAL HEIGHTS EL Brownfield | 18.5 mi | 6.1 |
| BROWNFIELD EDUCATION CENTER Brownfield | 18.8 mi | — |
| BROWNFIELD MIDDLE Brownfield | 18.8 mi | 7.3 |
| BROWNFIELD H S Brownfield | 19.2 mi | 8.2 |
| LOOP SCHOOL Loop | 16.9 mi | 7.9 |
| OAK GROVE EL Brownfield | 19.6 mi | 7.3 |
| O'DONNELL SCHOOL O'Donnell | 17.5 mi | 8.3 |
| WELLMAN-UNION SCHOOL Wellman | 19.1 mi | 8.4 |
| TAHOKA H S Tahoka | 24.8 mi | 7.3 |
| TAHOKA MIDDLE Tahoka | 24.8 mi | 7.6 |
| TAHOKA EL Tahoka | 24.8 mi | 9.1 |
| KLONDIKE ISD Lamesa | 27.0 mi | 8.6 |
| MEADOW SCHOOL Meadow | 28.6 mi | 6.0 |
| SEAGRAVES SCHOOLS Seagraves | 25.8 mi | 5.5 |
| NEW HOME SCHOOL New Home | 30.2 mi | 7.8 |
| ROPES SCHOOL Ropesville | 33.3 mi | 6.9 |
| WILSON SCHOOL Wilson | 35.4 mi | 8.1 |
| SANDS CISD Ackerly | 36.9 mi | 8.0 |
| SLATON J H Slaton | 44.3 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 79377 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,833
Median Home Value
$128,800
Population
294
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
56.8%
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
26.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dawson School has a median household income of $55,833. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,800. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| EAGLE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pearland, TX | 7.7 |
| JAYTON SCHOOLS Jayton, TX | 7.7 |
| LIVING ROCK ACADEMY Bulverde, TX | 7.7 |
| MEMORIAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Killeen, TX | 7.7 |
| WALNUT SPRINGS SCHOOL Walnut Springs, TX | 7.7 |
| ADRIAN SCHOOL Adrian, TX | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dawson School
What grades does Dawson School serve?
Dawson School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Dawson School?
Dawson School has an enrollment of approximately 132 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dawson School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dawson School is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dawson School rank in TX?
Dawson School is ranked #1546 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Dawson School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dawson School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dawson School has 22.0% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dawson School a charter school?
No, Dawson School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dawson School a Title I school?
No, Dawson School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dawson School?
78.0% of students at Dawson School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 132
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Dawson County
- Phone
- (806) 489-7461
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DAWSON ISD- District Enrollment
- 132
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,547
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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