Surry County Courthouse · Photo: G Keith Hall · CC BY-SA 3.0Dobson’s public schools outscore 68% of North Carolina districts
In Dobson, 60% of tested students are proficient in math, above the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Dobson, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina 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.
Dobson’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 250 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Dobson’s, its schools beat 91%, higher than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 60% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,463 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then four middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
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 Dobson’s grade
B+: better than 68% of North Carolina school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dobson, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Dobson
Dobson Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 350 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Dobson
Dobson Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 350 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Dobson
Dobson Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 350 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Dobson
Dobson Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 350 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Dobson
Dobson Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 350 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Dobson
Dobson Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 350 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Dobson · depends on your address
Surry Central High
Grades 9–12 · 679 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Surry Early College
Grades 9–12 · 296 students
10th grade in Dobson · depends on your address
Surry Central High
Grades 9–12 · 679 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Surry Early College
Grades 9–12 · 296 students
11th grade in Dobson · depends on your address
Surry Central High
Grades 9–12 · 679 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Surry Early College
Grades 9–12 · 296 students
12th grade in Dobson · depends on your address
Surry Central High
Grades 9–12 · 679 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Surry Early College
Grades 9–12 · 296 students
Dobson’s public schools are run by Surry County Schools, which also serves Mount Airy and Pilot Mountain. 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.
Above the state in reading
Dobson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Dobson’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Dobson | B+ | Surry County Schools |
Every school in Dobson
7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Dobson’s schools
Are Dobson’s schools good?
By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Dobson children attend outscore 68% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 91%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dobson in?
Surry County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,318 students in 20 schools (2024–25).
Where do Dobson kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Surry Central High and Surry Early College.
What is Dobson’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Surry County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Dobson spend per student?
$12,463 in Surry County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Dobson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dobson → 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 North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.