Photo: Ralf Peter Reimann · CC BY-SA 2.0Dickson’s public schools outscore 73% of Tennessee districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Dickson, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Tennessee, not nationally.
From Tennessee state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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.
Dickson’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 209 Tennessee towns with household incomes within a quarter of Dickson’s, its schools beat 78%, higher than their 73% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 41% and math 32% in spring 2022, against 37% and 31% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,642 per student, against $13,059 across Tennessee (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Dickson County Distance Learning Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Dickson’s grade
B+: better than 73% of Tennessee school districts, #51 of 176 Tennessee towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Tennessee average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dickson, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Dickson · depends on your address
Dickson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 570 students
Special Services
Grades PK–11 · 3 students
7th grade in Dickson · depends on your address
Dickson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 570 students
Special Services
Grades PK–11 · 3 students
8th grade in Dickson · depends on your address
Dickson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 570 students
Special Services
Grades PK–11 · 3 students
9th grade in Dickson · depends on your address
Dickson County High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students
Special Services
Grades PK–11 · 3 students
10th grade in Dickson · depends on your address
Dickson County High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students
Special Services
Grades PK–11 · 3 students
11th grade in Dickson · depends on your address
Dickson County High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students
Special Services
Grades PK–11 · 3 students
12th grade in Dickson
Dickson County High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,337 students
Dickson’s public schools are run by Dickson County School District, which also serves Burns, Charlotte, Slayden and Vanleer and others. 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
Dickson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Tennessee towns that share Dickson’s borders.
Every school in Dickson
8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Tennessee’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Dickson’s schools
Are Dickson’s schools good?
By Tennessee’s own tests, yes: the public schools Dickson children attend outscore 73% of Tennessee’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #51 of 176 Tennessee towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 78%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dickson in?
Dickson County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,777 students in 17 schools (2024–25).
Where do Dickson kids go to high school?
Dickson County High School, with 1,337 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Dickson’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Dickson County School District graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee.
How much does Dickson spend per student?
$11,642 in Dickson County School District (FY2024), against $13,059 across Tennessee. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Dickson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dickson → 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 Tennessee. Stars are from neighbors.