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Dawson School

Q: Is Dawson School a good school?

Dawson School ranks 3039 th of 4627 Texas alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

3039^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 4,627 Texas Alternative Schools

Better than 34% of Texas alternative schools

Summary

Dawson School in Welch, TX, is a small, rural PK-12 alternative school within the Dawson Independent School District (Isd), serving 140 students in a high-poverty area where 65% qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school stands out for its perfect track record of keeping students enrolled, with a 0% dropout rate for the last five years. However, its graduation rate is more variable, dropping to 87.5% in 2023-2024, which is lower than the 100% rate at nearby Wellman-Union School. Academically, Dawson shows a "tale of two subjects": it excels in U.S. History, with 81.82% of students proficient in 2025-2026—outperforming the state average and most nearby schools—but struggles critically in mathematics, where 0% of 7th and 8th graders were proficient in Math and 0% in Algebra I that same year. This math crisis is a consistent trend, even as the school spends $13,325 per student and maintains a low 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio, suggesting that resources alone aren't translating into math gains.

Compared to Wellman-Union School (19 miles away), which has a lower poverty rate and consistently higher scores—like 70% 8th-grade reading proficiency versus Dawson's 16.67%—Dawson's challenges appear compounded by higher poverty and instructional gaps. The school does show flashes of strength in high school subjects like Biology (68.75% proficient) and English II Reading (54.55%), but reading scores are volatile year-to-year due to small class sizes. For parents, the key takeaway is that Dawson excels at keeping kids in school and has strong history and science programs, but needs urgent, targeted help in math from 3rd grade onward to prevent students from falling behind.

140

Students ?

10.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,538

Per pupil spending ?

65%

Free/discounted lunch ?

600 Brownfield Hwy
Welch, TX 79377-0180

(806) 489-7461

District: Dawson Independent School District (Isd)

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

78.6%

White:

20.7%

African American:

0.7%

See top rated Texas elementary schools

Compare Dawson School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 48th percentile in 2025 → 43rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Texas average (32% vs 52% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped from its 48th-percentile peak (2025) to 43rd (2026)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school32%

District avg32%

Texas avg52%

Elementary school

3,039^th of 4,627

Texas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 34%▼ down 14 pts since 2016

From bottom 48% (2016) to bottom 34% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

2,225^th of 2,335

Texas public middle schools ?

Bottom 5%▼ down 35 pts since 2016

From bottom 40% (2016) to bottom 5% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

1,154^th of 2,009

Texas public high schools ?

Bottom 43%▼ down 38 pts since 2016

From top 20% (2016) to bottom 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	35.7	3039 of 4627	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	20.5	3999 of 4651	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	24.4	3818 of 4710	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	30.3	3386 of 4647	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	15.2	4197 of 4581	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	41.0	2504 of 4578	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	16.9	4061 of 4479	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	17.8	3915 of 4359	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	29.1	3203 of 4329	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	51.8	2218 of 4286	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2015	50.9	2270 of 4320	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2014	54.6	2069 of 4260	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	45.8	2550 of 4221	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	50.3	2252 of 4206	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2011	61.2	1747 of 4095	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	50.9	2297 of 3937	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2009	55.5	1952 of 3884	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2008	53.1	2026 of 3768	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2007	54.5	1984 of 3724	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2006	60.2	1527 of 3476	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2005	60.5	1500 of 3475	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2004	79.0	462 of 3465	86.7%	★★★★☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	9.9	4403 of 4461	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	21.0	3924 of 4295	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	18.8	3995 of 4240	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	23.7	3838 of 4575	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	18.0	3364 of 3744	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	31.6	3388 of 4658	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	31.5	3305 of 4588	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	25.6	3702 of 4561	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	30.8	3142 of 4499	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	11.7	4209 of 4348	3.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	10.8	4194 of 4306	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	39.6	2805 of 4413	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	22.8	3130 of 3644	14.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	18.5	4068 of 4465	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	26.7	3558 of 4401	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	10.9	4272 of 4376	2.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	43.9	2318 of 4329	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	16.0	3977 of 4188	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	30.7	3219 of 4168	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	42.7	2654 of 4520	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	34.9	2633 of 3705	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	21.9	4060 of 4594	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.9	3172 of 4521	29.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	17.7	4139 of 4477	7.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	55.2	1671 of 4451	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	20.4	3947 of 4309	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	25.7	3628 of 4264	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	32.2	3305 of 4582	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	15.6	3456 of 3739	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	7.8	4570 of 4647	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	35.0	3085 of 4585	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	15.4	4210 of 4563	7.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	50.4	1963 of 4498	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	37.3	2837 of 4357	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	12.3	4167 of 4319	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	34.9	2241 of 3082	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	43.1	1811 of 3082	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	4.5	3097 of 3127	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	11.5	2225 of 2335	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	14.4	2162 of 2344	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	29.8	1754 of 2372	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	43.2	1279 of 2330	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	20.8	1916 of 2254	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	16.8	1980 of 2252	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	8.4	2114 of 2193	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	49.6	954 of 2080	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	27.5	1546 of 2027	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	44.0	1202 of 1987	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2015	47.1	1167 of 2043	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	63.7	687 of 1987	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	56.3	879 of 1973	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	50.7	1015 of 1951	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2011	63.5	654 of 1895	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2010	52.2	1003 of 1803	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2009	54.2	912 of 1763	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2008	42.9	1172 of 1718	31.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	57.9	763 of 1684	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2006	71.3	371 of 1585	76.6%	★★★★☆
2005	59.4	664 of 1582	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2004	88.9	9 of 1573	99.4%	★★★★★

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	13.5	2122 of 2182	2.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	17.6	1964 of 2058	4.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	5.4	2219 of 2240	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	11.2	1762 of 1825	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	8.5	2200 of 2242	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	33.9	1563 of 2241	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	12.5	2114 of 2221	4.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	12.0	2049 of 2151	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	6.9	2013 of 2047	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	86.2	175 of 2008	91.3%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	17.0	1995 of 2141	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	7.8	1706 of 1731	1.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	12.8	2033 of 2119	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	40.7	1260 of 2116	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	20.2	1829 of 2077	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	16.3	1891 of 2043	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	6.2	1904 of 1935	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	5.0	2229 of 2253	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	26.0	1507 of 1820	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	34.8	1531 of 2235	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	57.8	771 of 2251	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	33.9	1577 of 2220	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	21.2	1908 of 2172	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	7.9	2035 of 2073	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	41.8	1182 of 2039	42.0%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	4.4	2229 of 2253	1.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	5.4	1808 of 1818	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	59.3	750 of 2246	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	41.9	1269 of 2245	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	33.6	1520 of 2228	31.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	27.2	1620 of 2168	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	16.2	1885 of 2030	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2018	50.1	778 of 1673	53.5%	★★★☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	43.0	1154 of 2009	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	45.0	1036 of 1974	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	41.6	1146 of 1990	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.0	1265 of 1961	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	14.7	1619 of 1876	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	43.9	1037 of 1861	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	51.8	820 of 1857	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	40.5	1037 of 1797	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	54.5	649 of 1777	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2016	71.1	349 of 1762	80.2%	★★★★☆
2015	68.1	457 of 1743	73.8%	★★★★☆
2014	60.5	630 of 1734	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	43.5	1056 of 1652	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2012	46.3	931 of 1603	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2011	55.5	940 of 1672	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2010	63.5	623 of 1568	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2009	76.6	201 of 1539	86.9%	★★★★☆
2008	74.9	260 of 1510	82.8%	★★★★☆
2007	78.5	191 of 1497	87.2%	★★★★☆
2006	77.0	203 of 1430	85.8%	★★★★☆
2005	80.9	118 of 1429	91.7%	★★★★★
2004	76.1	199 of 1427	86.1%	★★★★☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	11.3	1746 of 1837	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	99.0	11 of 1810	99.4%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	29.8	1435 of 1936	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	18.0	1273 of 1504	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.9	1510 of 1880	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	40.8	1124 of 1891	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	8.1	1700 of 1841	7.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	28.0	1358 of 1815	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	43.2	1009 of 1860	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	32.6	979 of 1453	32.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	32.0	1209 of 1805	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	40.4	1036 of 1820	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	23.9	1382 of 1762	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	48.4	810 of 1743	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	91.0	55 of 1714	96.8%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	63.3	445 of 1937	77.0%	★★★★☆
2025	32.5	1035 of 1513	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.6	874 of 1884	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	41.1	1066 of 1897	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	20.8	1533 of 1847	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	41.2	1069 of 1848	42.2%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	35.7	1248 of 1954	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	59.6	461 of 1515	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	29.4	1315 of 1891	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.6	1368 of 1913	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.4	1451 of 1840	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)41st percentile+7 vs school

Hispanic (2026)36th percentile~ school

Male (2026)28th percentile-6 vs school

White (2022)27th percentile+19 vs school

Female (2026)16th percentile-18 vs school

At Risk (2022)1st percentile-7 vs school

Middle school

White (2018)53rd percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)7th percentile~ school

At Risk (2022)3rd percentile-12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)1st percentile-4 vs school

Male (2026)1st percentile-4 vs school

Female (2026)1st percentile-4 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)77th percentile+34 vs school

Hispanic (2026)46th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)36th percentile-6 vs school

Female (2026)26th percentile-17 vs school

At Risk (2022)5th percentile-9 vs school

By subject vs Texas (2025-2026) ?

U.S. History82%+12 vs state

Biology69%~ state avg

English II Reading55%-5 vs state

Reading37%-18 vs state

Mathematics18%-26 vs state

English I Reading17%-39 vs state

Social Studies0%-32 vs state

Algebra I0%-54 vs state

★

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Schools Near Dawson School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				STAAR EOC Algebra I (2026)	STAAR EOC Biology (2026)	STAAR EOC English I Reading (2026)	STAAR EOC English II Reading (2026)	STAAR EOC U.S. History (2026)	STAAR Reading (2026)						STAAR Mathematics (2026)						STAAR Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAAR EOC Algebra I End of Course	STAAR EOC Biology End of Course	STAAR EOC English I Reading End of Course	STAAR EOC English II Reading End of Course	STAAR EOC U.S. History End of Course	STAAR Reading 3rd Grade	STAAR Reading 4th Grade	STAAR Reading 5th Grade	STAAR Reading 6th Grade	STAAR Reading 7th Grade	STAAR Reading 8th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAAR Mathematics 4th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 5th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 6th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 7th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAAR Social Studies 8th Grade	Total
Dawson School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	600 Brownfield Hwy	Welch	79377	Dawson County	Dawson Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(806) 489-7461	140	13	10.4	65.0%	29 (20.7%)	1 (0.7%)	110 (78.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	0.0	68.8	16.7	54.6	81.8	33.3	25.0	75.0	50.0	25.0	16.7	50.0	8.3	41.7	25.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	$14,538
Lamesa Schools	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	600 N 14th	Lamesa	79331	Dawson County	Lamesa Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(806) 872-8385	1,484	112	13.2	78.0%	161 (10.8%)	32 (2.2%)	1,265 (85.2%)	11 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (0.9%)								(n/a)	44.4	60.2	50.5	44.7	41.5	33.3	36.6	35.6	18.3	25.9	43.9	27.1	16.1	32.7	7.7	2.4	25.7	14.0	$8,944
Loop School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1441 Hwy 303	Loop	79342	Gaines County	Loop Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(806) 319-7930	150	18	8.1	48.7%	108 (72.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (25.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.7%)								(n/a)	100.0	100.0	83.3	90.0	100.0	54.6	53.9	62.5	66.7	54.6	87.5	36.4	53.9	75.0	16.7	30.0	68.8	68.8	$14,735
O'Donnell School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	400 Small St	Odonnell	79351	Lynn County	O'Donnell Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(806) 428-3241	253	32	7.9	64.0%	82 (32.4%)	0 (0.0%)	169 (66.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)								(n/a)	46.7	100.0	70.6	78.3	86.4	54.6	31.3	70.0	23.5	36.8	30.0	45.5	31.3	20.0	23.5	0.0	44.4	30.0	$15,085
Wellman-Union School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	501 Terry Ave	Wellman	79378	Terry County	Wellman-Union Consolidated Independent School District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(806) 637-4619	248	22	11.0	49.2%	150 (60.5%)	2 (0.8%)	93 (37.5%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)								(n/a)	41.7	90.9	83.3	55.6	55.6	56.5	38.5	57.9	57.7	65.0	70.0	56.5	38.5	47.4	42.3	40.0	56.7	16.7	$15,301

Frequently Asked Questions about Dawson School

What is the racial makeup of Dawson School?

Students at Dawson School are 79% Hispanic, 21% White.

What district is Dawson School in?

Dawson Independent School District (Isd)

Is Dawson School a good school?

Dawson School ranks 3039^th of 4627 Texas alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Dawson School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 140 students attended Dawson School.

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Schools in Welch, TX

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2025–26 STAAR, STAAR EOC & STAAR Spanish test scoresJun 12, 2026

2021–22 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 10, 2026

2023–24 dropout rates & graduation ratesSep 17, 2025

2024–25 STAAR EOC & STAAR Spanish test scoresJun 23, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries 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.