Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Dawson’s public schools score below 77% of Georgia districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Dawson’s districts is 13%, below the Georgia average (37%). The grade covers the public school district serving Dawson, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Georgia, not nationally.
From Georgia state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Dawson’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 75 Georgia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Dawson’s, its schools beat 29%, higher than their 23% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 19% of tested students were proficient in reading and 13% in math, against 40% and 37% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia (the state reports Dawson’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $19,591 per student in FY2024, against $15,800 across Georgia. 26% of its revenue that year was federal (Georgia 12%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Terrell Middle School, then Terrell High School. Enrollment is down 21% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Terrell Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Dawson’s grade
C−: better than 23% of Georgia school districts, #208 of 260 Georgia towns. Graduation is above the Georgia average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dawson, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Dawson
Cooper-Carver Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 440 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Dawson
Cooper-Carver Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 440 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Dawson
Cooper-Carver Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 440 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Dawson
Cooper-Carver Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 440 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Dawson
Cooper-Carver Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 440 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Dawson
Cooper-Carver Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 440 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Dawson
Cooper-Carver Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 440 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Dawson
Terrell Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 215 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Dawson
Terrell Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 215 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Dawson
Terrell Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 215 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Dawson
Terrell High School
Grades 9–12 · 266 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Dawson
Terrell High School
Grades 9–12 · 266 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Dawson
Terrell High School
Grades 9–12 · 266 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Dawson
Terrell High School
Grades 9–12 · 266 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Dawson’s public schools are run by Terrell County School District, which also serves Bronwood, Parrott and Sasser. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Dawson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Georgia towns that share Dawson’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson | C− | Terrell County |
Every school in Dawson
4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Georgia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Dawson’s schools
Are Dawson’s schools good?
On Georgia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Dawson children attend score below 77% of Georgia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #208 of 260 Georgia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dawson in?
Terrell County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 921 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
Where do Dawson kids go to high school?
Terrell High School, with 266 students; its own test results earn a D−.
What is Dawson’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Terrell County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Georgia.
How much does Dawson spend per student?
$19,591 in Terrell County School District (FY2024), against $15,800 across Georgia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Dawson?
Yes: Terrell Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 558 students).
Parents talk
What Dawson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dawson → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Georgia. Stars are from neighbors.