James Dawson Elementary

Public PK, KG-6

 5308 Mastin Lake Rd NW
       Huntsville, AL  35810


(256) 428-7500

District: Huntsville City

SchoolDigger Rank:
650th of 680 Alabama Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,784 Help


Students who attend James Dawson Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Ronald McNair 78
High:    Jemison High School

Student/teacher ratio:  21.8 Help
Number of students:  432

Racial breakdown:

African American:
73.6%
Hispanic:
15.7%
Two or more races:
5.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  88.2% Help


 See top rated Alabama elementary schools

 Compare James Dawson Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details James Dawson Elementary ranks worse than 95.6% of elementary schools in Alabama. It also ranks last among 24 ranked elementary schools in the Huntsville City School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 8.58. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (73.6%), Hispanic (15.7%), two or more races (5.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 88.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at James Dawson Elementary is 21.8. 22 elementary schools in the Huntsville City School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare James Dawson Elementary employs 19.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at James Dawson Elementary is $10,784, which is the 3rd highest among 24 elementary schools in the Huntsville City School District.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

James Dawson Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks James Dawson Elementary 650th of 680 Alabama public elementary schools. (See James Dawson Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:


Huntsville City:

SchoolDigger ranks Huntsville City 70th of 134 Alabama school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for James Dawson Elementary?

Rank History for James Dawson Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at James Dawson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 29.91 486th 623 22.0%
2005 15.43 639th 688 7.1%
2006 13.25 662nd 689 3.9%
2007 4.46 685th 698 1.9%
2008 10.64 677th 698 3.0%
2009 2.73 695th 696 0.1%
2010 2.48 701st 704 0.4%
2011 22.18 632nd 709 10.9%
2012 24.61 604th 696 13.2%
2013 16.11 658th 696 5.5%
2014 15.26 624th 695 10.2%
2015 25.83 534th 691 22.7%
2016 31.95 488th 691 29.4%
2017 13.39 615th 688 10.6%
2018 22.67 529th 680 22.2%
2019 20.86 547th 681 19.7%
2021 14.08 605th 692 12.6%
2022 10.71 640th 687 6.8%
2023 8.58 650th 680 4.4%
See the entire list of Alabama Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at James Dawson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 26.50 299th 373 19.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at James Dawson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 16.46 497th 567 12.3%
2018 33.70 464th 651 28.7%
2019 28.09 505th 649 22.2%
2021 16.09 582nd 653 10.9%
2022 13.20 607th 651 6.8%
2023 7.90 617th 623 1.0%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at James Dawson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 18.59 542nd 639 15.2%
2018 33.91 447th 640 30.2%
2019 22.22 526th 646 18.6%
2021 17.10 561st 656 14.5%
2022 11.47 608th 656 7.3%
2023 9.29 613th 645 5.0%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at James Dawson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 11.10 593rd 639 7.2%
2018 13.82 584th 650 10.2%
2019 21.55 524th 650 19.4%
2021 11.93 618th 669 7.6%
2022 10.87 627th 669 6.3%
2023 9.42 612th 649 5.7%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at James Dawson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 16.62 316th 336 6.0%
2018 39.43 269th 423 36.4%
2019 38.45 267th 426 37.3%
2021 28.58 317th 426 25.6%
2022 20.67 382nd 426 10.3%
2023 16.32 408th 427 4.4%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at James Dawson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 22.78 154th 184 16.3%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: Alabama State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

James Dawson Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Alabama State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, February 14, 2020

Open Quote Huntsville city schools are throwing to much at these kid's at such young ages and not enough free time all because they was failing at one point. My child is getting burnt out. Close Quote


by a teacher
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Open Quote I am a substitute teacher and have worked in several different schools in Huntsville. I have worked both in the inner city schools as well as the suburbs. In every school I have been in I have been able to find something good. This school is a mess. The teachers do not discipline at all (I am sure that there are some exceptions) leading the children to act like a pack of wild dogs. The kids fight (even girl against boy) constantly. The kids know that they will get away with anything and are full of hatred for the world, I really feel sorry for any child that had to go to this school. The principle walks around like he is a runway model and dose little or nothing. If you live in this area do everything you can to keep your kids out of this school. The place is like a prison. Close Quote



Enrollment information for James Dawson Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 558 558
1989 179 390 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 572
1990 162 438 3 6 0 n/a n/a 0 609
1991 152 498 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 655
1992 118 470 3 5 0 n/a n/a 0 596
1993 110 470 4 6 1 n/a n/a 0 591
1994 93 458 3 7 1 n/a n/a 0 562
1995 44 484 3 7 0 n/a n/a 0 538
1996 44 484 3 7 0 n/a n/a 0 538
1997 40 452 1 13 0 n/a n/a 0 506
1998 35 412 0 7 1 n/a n/a 0 455
1999 33 417 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 453
2000 21 434 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 456
2001 14 421 1 4 0 n/a n/a 1 441
2002 12 369 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 383
2003 12 369 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 383
2004 5 316 1 1 0 n/a n/a 1 324
2005 12 293 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 309
2006 9 273 0 6 0 n/a n/a 0 288
2007 17 293 0 6 0 n/a n/a 0 316
2008 11 287 1 8 0 n/a n/a 0 307
2009 20 295 0 14 0 n/a n/a 0 329
2010 20 269 0 18 0 n/a n/a 0 307
2011 17 280 0 19 0 0 0 0 316
2012 17 262 0 17 0 0 0 0 296
2013 19 322 0 19 0 0 10 0 370
2014 14 333 0 24 0 0 16 0 387
2015 34 385 0 24 0 0 28 0 471
2016 17 374 0 25 0 1 20 0 437
2017 35 346 3 37 0 2 19 0 442
2018 20 362 2 35 0 2 26 0 447
2019 12 322 1 38 1 5 35 0 414
2020 14 320 2 52 0 5 33 0 426
2021 10 304 2 60 0 4 30 0 410
2022 22 356 2 60 0 2 0 0 442
2023 19 318 2 68 0 3 22 0 432

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at James Dawson Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 558 30.0 18.6 0
1989 572 34.0 16.8 n/a
1990 609 33.0 18.4 0
1991 655 34.0 19.2 n/a
1992 596 31.0 19.2 n/a
1993 591 31.0 19.1 n/a
1994 562 32.0 17.6 n/a
1995 538 29.3 18.4 n/a
1996 538 29.3 18.4 n/a
1997 506 32.1 15.8 56.5
1998 455 29.5 15.4 53.8
1999 453 30.0 15.1 67.5
2000 456 32.0 14.3 70.6
2001 441 32.0 13.8 75.2
2002 383 26.0 14.7 77.8
2003 383 26.0 14.7 77.8
2004 324 26.5 12.2 81.4
2005 309 26.9 11.5 73.1
2006 288 26.0 11.1 70.1
2007 316 22.0 14.4 77.5
2008 307 23.8 12.9 81.1
2009 329 23.1 14.1 80.5
2010 307 23.5 13.0 83.1
2011 316 20.8 15.1 84.2
2012 296 17.6 16.8 82.8
2013 370 30.3 12.2 84.1
2014 387 24.7 15.6 87.3
2015 471 31.0 15.1 55.4
2016 437 28.0 15.6 63.8
2017 442 28.9 15.2 63.6
2018 447 28.4 15.7 86.4
2019 414 27.6 15.0 88.4
2020 426 24.0 17.7 88.7
2021 410 27.0 15.1 90.5
2022 442 24.6 17.9 91
2023 432 19.8 21.8 88.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio James Dawson Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 558 30.0 18.6 0
1989 572 34.0 16.8 n/a
1990 609 33.0 18.4 0
1991 655 34.0 19.2 n/a
1992 596 31.0 19.2 n/a
1993 591 31.0 19.1 n/a
1994 562 32.0 17.6 n/a
1995 538 29.3 18.4 n/a
1996 538 29.3 18.4 n/a
1997 506 32.1 15.8 56.5
1998 455 29.5 15.4 53.8
1999 453 30.0 15.1 67.5
2000 456 32.0 14.3 70.6
2001 441 32.0 13.8 75.2
2002 383 26.0 14.7 77.8
2003 383 26.0 14.7 77.8
2004 324 26.5 12.2 81.4
2005 309 26.9 11.5 73.1
2006 288 26.0 11.1 70.1
2007 316 22.0 14.4 77.5
2008 307 23.8 12.9 81.1
2009 329 23.1 14.1 80.5
2010 307 23.5 13.0 83.1
2011 316 20.8 15.1 84.2
2012 296 17.6 16.8 82.8
2013 370 30.3 12.2 84.1
2014 387 24.7 15.6 87.3
2015 471 31.0 15.1 55.4
2016 437 28.0 15.6 63.8
2017 442 28.9 15.2 63.6
2018 447 28.4 15.7 86.4
2019 414 27.6 15.0 88.4
2020 426 24.0 17.7 88.7
2021 410 27.0 15.1 90.5
2022 442 24.6 17.9 91
2023 432 19.8 21.8 88.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for James Dawson Elementary

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,478 (23.0%) $8,304 (77.0%) $10,784

Data source: Alabama Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on James Dawson Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 547th of 681 Elementary schoolsRanks 650th of 680 Elementary schools
 15.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (James Dawson Elementary)42.94.9
 37.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Huntsville City)53.933.4
 20.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Alabama)57.543.6
 13.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (James Dawson Elementary)518.2
 42.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Huntsville City)44.729.8
 14.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)47.334.9
 12.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (James Dawson Elementary)22.62
 20.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Huntsville City)4428.2
 15.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)44.933.9
 10.9%
6th Grade Mathematics (James Dawson Elementary)6.53.7
 2.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Huntsville City)40.126.7
 13.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)45.330.8
 14.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students414432
 4.3%
African American322318
 1.2%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian12
 100%
Hispanic3868
 78.9%
Pacific Islander53
 40%
White1219
 58.3%
Two or More Races3522
 37.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients88.4%88.2%
 0.2%


Schools Near James Dawson Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about James Dawson Elementary

James Dawson Elementary ranks in the bottom 4.4% of Alabama elementary schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 432 students attended James Dawson Elementary.

Students at James Dawson Elementary are 74% African American, 16% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 4% White.

Students who attend James Dawson Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Ronald McNair 78
High : Jemison High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama State Department of Education. School Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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