Dawson County

Dawson County Schools serve approximately 4,500 students across seven schools—four elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one alternative/junior high—in a predominantly middle-income, suburban-rural area north of Atlanta, with the district ranking 54th out of 201 Georgia districts and holding a 4-star rating.

The standout performer is Dawson County Junior High, which, despite its alternative designation, posted remarkable Biology End of Course results with 85.9% proficiency in 2025-2026—more than double the district average (53.9%) and far exceeding the state (47.2%). This consistency across two years suggests a highly effective specialized program. Dawson County High School also shines with a 97.3% graduation rate (state: 87.2%) and strong US History scores (47.5% vs. 38.5% state). Among elementary schools, Black's Mill Elementary shows the most positive trajectory, improving from the 58th to 70th percentile over three years, with 4th grade math proficiency (59.4%) leading the district. In contrast, Kilough Elementary has declined from the 67th to 45th percentile, with 5th grade math proficiency at just 20.9%—the lowest subject score in the district.

A district-wide concern is 5th grade mathematics, where the average (40.4%) falls below the state (44.1%), with Kilough's 20.9% being particularly striking. Chronic absenteeism also varies widely, from 15.2% at Kilough Elementary and Black's Mill Elementary to over 24% at Dawson County Middle School and Dawson County Junior High—a critical intervention point. Notably, per-student spending does not correlate with performance: Riverview Elementary spends the most ($16,314) yet ranks in the 57th percentile, while Black's Mill spends $3,171 less and ranks higher. The district shows consistent strength in social studies across grade levels, and 2024-2025 data indicates all four elementary schools exceeded state averages in 3rd grade ELA, providing a strong literacy foundation.