Summary:
Zip code 39842, serving the Dawson, Georgia area, contains exactly one elementary school—Cooper-Carver Elementary School—a small, rural PK-5 campus within the Terrell County district, where 100% of its 440 students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Cooper-Carver Elementary School is the sole elementary option in this area, so its performance defines the local landscape. The school has seen a notable decline in its state ranking, falling from the 28th percentile in both 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to the 12th percentile in 2025-2026—a drop of roughly 186 positions. Test scores reveal significant challenges, particularly in mathematics. In 2025-2026, 3rd-grade math proficiency was 27.7% (20.6 points below the state average), 4th-grade math was 31.2% (18.9 points below), and 5th-grade math was just 8.8%—a staggering 35.3 points below the state average and a nearly 10-point decline from the prior year. Science proficiency in 5th grade was 25.0%, also well below the state's 44.2%. However, there is a bright spot: 4th-grade math improved dramatically from 16.7% to 31.2% year-over-year, a gain of 14.5 points.
Despite the academic struggles, attendance is not the primary issue. The school's chronic absenteeism rate of 14.4% is actually better than both the district (18.9%) and state (17.7%) averages. The school also spends a substantial $18,297 per student, reflecting the intensive resources needed for its high-poverty population. While 2025-2026 ELA scores are not yet available, 2024-2025 data showed 5th-grade ELA proficiency at 41.4%, nearly matching the state average of 43.0%—a relative strength. The dramatic volatility across grade levels and subjects suggests performance is heavily cohort-dependent rather than reflecting consistent systemic issues. For parents, this means the school faces real challenges in math, especially in 5th grade, but shows pockets of promise and a dedicated investment in student support.
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