Elementary Schools in Dawson County

Dawson County is home to four elementary schools—Robinson, Black's Mill, Riverview, and Kilough—serving grades PK-5 in a suburban/rural area north of Atlanta, with a district that earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the 73rd percentile statewide.

For parents comparing schools, Black's Mill Elementary stands out as the district's most consistent high achiever, climbing to a 70th-percentile state ranking (361st) while spending the least per student ($13,143) and posting the highest 4th-grade math scores (59.4%) and best prior-year ELA results. Robinson Elementary, the largest school with 648 students, leads in 3rd-grade math (62.4%) and holds the district's best science scores (50.9%), though its math proficiency dips notably by 5th grade. Riverview Elementary presents a paradox: it spends the most per student ($16,314) and has the smallest class sizes (12.6:1), yet ranks 57th percentile and shows a significant ranking drop from the prior year—likely tied to its highest chronic absenteeism rate (18.6%) and highest poverty level (59.8% free/reduced lunch). Kilough Elementary is the most concerning, falling from the 67th to 45th percentile over two years, with a 5th-grade math proficiency of just 20.9%—roughly half the district average and 24 points below the state.

The district's biggest challenge is 5th-grade math, where every school falls at or below the state average (44.1%), despite all four schools exceeding state averages in 4th-grade math. Chronic absenteeism is also a district-wide issue, with three of four schools above the state rate of 17.7%. However, science is a relative bright spot, with Robinson and Black's Mill both exceeding state proficiency. Overall, Black's Mill and Robinson offer the strongest academics, while Riverview's resource-rich but underperforming profile and Kilough's rapid decline warrant closer attention from district leadership.