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GreatSchools Rating

Dawson Elementary School

Public | PK-5 & ungraded | 588 students

Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
No new ratings

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2 reviews of this school


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Posted June 17, 2012

I was led to believe this was the best school in Holden. After 2 years I wholeheartedly disagree. The PTA is standoffish and will not allow any newbies to help. The administration doesn't care that they have some teachers making kids (and parents) hate school. The kindergarten curriculum is less than my 3 yr old got in preschool. There are just so many things going wrong in this school I cannot wait to get out of here. I am actually thinking of using school choice to go to Davis Hill. Test scores are not the tell all of how a school performs. Don't buy into that when you are choosing a school. Interview parents!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 30, 2007

This is the best elementary school in the Wachusett Regional School District. It has the most active PTA and parent community in the Town of Holden and the entire district. The family programs at the school are exceptional and always draw a big crowd. IALAC - I Am Lovable And Capable is a program in the school that teaches the children each person is special and is to be treated with respect and in a caring manner. Truly a great school!
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 61% in 2011.

78 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
85%
Math

The state average for Math was 66% in 2011.

76 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
76%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 53% in 2011.

77 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
75%

2008

 
 
73%
Math

The state average for Math was 47% in 2011.

76 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
74%

2009

 
 
60%

2008

 
 
70%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 67% in 2011.

70 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
82%
Math

The state average for Math was 59% in 2011.

69 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
72%

2009

 
 
81%

2008

 
 
71%
Science

The state average for Science was 50% in 2011.

69 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
68%

2008

 
 
69%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students86%
Female91%
Male82%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White87%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilities75%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students92%
Female97%
Male89%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
Native Americann/a
White92%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Students with disabilities75%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students79%
Female90%
Male72%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White78%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilities27%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students72%
Female80%
Male67%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White72%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged74%
Students with disabilities18%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

English Language Arts

All Students92%
Female94%
Male89%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White92%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Students with disabilities77%
English language learnersn/a

Math

All Students79%
Female76%
Male83%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White81%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged81%
Students with disabilities54%
English language learnersn/a

Science

All Students59%
Female44%
Male74%
African Americann/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multiracialn/a
White61%
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantaged61%
Students with disabilities31%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2010-2011 Massachusetts used the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) to test students in grades 3 though 8 and 10 in English language arts and math and in grades 5, 8, and 10 in science. The grade 10 MCAS is a high school graduation requirement. The MCAS is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Massachusetts. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Massachusetts' state standards

Source: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 91% 70%
Hispanic 3% 14%
Two or more races 3% 2%
Asian 2% 5%
Black 1% 8%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 0%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 2%N/A31%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 18N/A14
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

155 Salisbury St
Holden, MA 01520
Phone: (508) 829-6828

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