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Needs Improvement

#7640 of 8,552 schools in TX

Dawson School

School · DAWSON ISD

P O BOX 180, Welch, TX 79377

Enrollment

132

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#7,640 of 8,552

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Dawson School

3.9/10

School in Welch · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lamesa Schools

6.5/10

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

Colonial Heights EL

4.2/10

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

About Dawson School

Dawson School is a public school in Welch, TX, part of DAWSON ISD. Dawson School serves approximately 132 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Dawson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #7,640 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Dawson School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.4 pts below TX schools
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 132 students, Dawson School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Dawson School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-32.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,547
Chronic Absenteeism29.5%

Dawson School — Students at Dawson School score 26% 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

78%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 58.2% (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
82%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
26%
2024
Math
11%
ELA
41%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Dawson School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
11th percentile in TX
Academic
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Sports
1
1 boys' · 0 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.5%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics1sport offered
1 boys'·0 girls'·7 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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 9.0/10, 27.0 miles away, in nearby Lamesa), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW HOME SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 30.2 miles away, in nearby New Home), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SANDS CISD (rated 8.1/10, 36.9 miles away, in nearby Ackerly), which scores notably 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 6.5
COLONIAL HEIGHTS EL Brownfield 18.5 mi 4.2
BROWNFIELD EDUCATION CENTER Brownfield 18.8 mi
BROWNFIELD MIDDLE Brownfield 18.8 mi 5.7
BROWNFIELD H S Brownfield 19.2 mi 6.8
LOOP SCHOOL Loop 16.9 mi 8.0
OAK GROVE EL Brownfield 19.6 mi 5.7
O'DONNELL SCHOOL O'Donnell 17.5 mi 8.0
WELLMAN-UNION SCHOOL Wellman 19.1 mi 7.3
TAHOKA H S Tahoka 24.8 mi 6.8
TAHOKA MIDDLE Tahoka 24.8 mi 7.2
TAHOKA EL Tahoka 24.8 mi 6.3
KLONDIKE ISD Lamesa 27.0 mi 9.0
MEADOW SCHOOL Meadow 28.6 mi 5.2
SEAGRAVES SCHOOLS Seagraves 25.8 mi 5.8
NEW HOME SCHOOL New Home 30.2 mi 8.8
ROPES SCHOOL Ropesville 33.3 mi 7.2
WILSON SCHOOL Wilson 35.4 mi 5.7
SANDS CISD Ackerly 36.9 mi 8.1
SLATON J H Slaton 44.3 mi 6.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BIG SPRINGS CHARTER SCHOOL Ingram, TX 4.0
DARROUZETT SCHOOLS Darrouzett, TX 3.8
GLORIA DEO ACADEMY Bulverde, TX 4.1
OAKWELL ACADEMY College Station, TX 3.6
HILL COUNTRY YOUTH RANCH Ingram, TX 3.5
LOHN SCHOOL Lohn, TX 4.3

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 ranks #7,640 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Dawson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dawson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dawson School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.5%

District

DAWSON ISD
District Enrollment
132
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,547
District Rank
#1 of 1

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