Serving 967 students in grades 6-8, Dawnwood Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in New York for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 52% (which is equal to the New York state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 43% (which is lower than the New York state average of 49%).
The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the New York state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the New York state average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 967 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 55%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in NY
- Math Proficiency: 52% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 43% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 72% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Dawnwood Middle School serves the western part of the Centereach, NY school district, encompassing an area of approximately 8.7 square miles. The typical drive to the school is around 5 to 10 minutes, with the farthest edge of the attendance zone located 3.2 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
School Overview
Dawnwood Middle School's student population of 967 students has declined by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 70 teachers has declined by 16% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
967 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
70 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
School Rankings
Dawnwood Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 4,346 schools in New York (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Dawnwood Middle School is 0.66, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2265 out of 4346 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
52%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
49%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
72%
78%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
11:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
7%
10%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
37%
31%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Black
7%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
White
45%
39%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
4%
4%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)29.1%
34.8%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
46%
55%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
2%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NY Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dawnwood Middle School's ranking?
Dawnwood Middle School is ranked #2265 out of 4,346 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in New York.
What schools are Dawnwood Middle School often compared to?
Dawnwood Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Selden Middle School, Longwood Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
52% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% NY state average), while 43% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NY state average).
How many students attend Dawnwood Middle School?
967 students attend Dawnwood Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
45% of Dawnwood Middle School students are White, 37% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Asian, 7% of students are Black, and 4% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Dawnwood Middle School?
Dawnwood Middle School has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the New York state average of 11:1.
What grades does Dawnwood Middle School offer ?
Dawnwood Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Dawnwood Middle School part of?
Dawnwood Middle School is part of Middle Country Central School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
This is a great school, in my opinion. I will be starting the eighth grade soon and I'm excited. This school is an awesome school to go to. It was a little tough for me to adjust to middle school when I started sixth grade. Seventh grade was awesome and now I'm ready for eighth grade. I recommend this school to every middle schooler. The after school programs are great, but I don't know how the sports are since I don't do them. Lunch is alright but it is certainly better than the lunches at elementary schools. It's a great school with great staff. Two thumbs up =D
2 10/10/2025
Don't get me wrong, I liked going to this school, but I had lots of problems dealing with other students. Staff doesn't do as much to prevent outburst and inappropriate incidents between students. I dealt with a fight with some kid who couldn't learn to drop a situation and it ruined my whole year. Meanwhile, staff would criticize me when I did nothing to spark fights because so many adults knew me as a great and honest kid.
Review Dawnwood Middle School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
