Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 27017

Zip code 27017, serving the Dobson, NC area, is home to three PK–5 elementary schools—Dobson Elementary, Rockford Elementary, and Copeland Elementary—all part of Surry County Schools, which educate roughly 959 students combined in a community where nearly all families face high economic disadvantage.

Dobson Elementary is the clear academic standout in the area. It ranks 346th out of 1,492 North Carolina elementary schools, earning a 77th percentile rating and 4 stars. Dobson outperforms both the district and state in nearly every tested subject and grade, with a 74% average math proficiency and 64.4% average reading proficiency across grades 3–5. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the group at just 9.8%. By contrast, Rockford Elementary (55th percentile, 3 stars) and Copeland Elementary (44th percentile, 2 stars) post weaker results, particularly in reading. Rockford's 3rd grade reading proficiency drops to just 34.8%, while Copeland's 4th grade reading sits at 42.5%. Copeland also shows the most concerning trend, sliding from the 60th to the 44th percentile over three years.

The most encouraging findings are low chronic absenteeism and strong science scores across all three schools. Even the lower-ranked schools exceed the state average of 67.7% in 5th grade science, with Copeland leading at 79.5%. Notably, higher spending and smaller class sizes do not guarantee better outcomes: Copeland has the lowest student-teacher ratio (13.0) and highest per-pupil spending ($11,205) yet ranks last. Dobson achieves its results despite the highest student-teacher ratio (14.9). The biggest opportunity for improvement is early-grade reading, especially at Rockford and Copeland, where proficiency falls well below state averages.