The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in Social studies. The lowest is 11% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Susie Dasher
Susie Dasher is a public elementary school serving pre-K through fourth grade in Dublin, located in Laurens County's county seat. The enrollment is small to moderate for an elementary school, with a student body that is overwhelmingly Black and comprises all Title I eligible students. Every child qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the school's catchment area.
The most recent state test data available shows mixed proficiency. In math, the school is at about the midpoint of county performance overall, with third and fourth graders showing proficiency rates just above and below half. English language arts proficiency is substantially lower, at roughly a third of students meeting the standard in both tested grades. These results place Susie Dasher above the median for overall proficiency across tested subjects when compared to the other districts in Laurens County, though the ELA numbers carry particular weight for a school whose foundational mission includes reading development. Science testing data on file is several years old, so current proficiency in that area is unknown. No special education or English learner population counts are available in the data.
The school sits within Dublin City Schools, a district facing profound structural challenges. The district is under state investigation for a multi-year budget crisis with a projected deficit, has cut approximately fifty jobs in recent years, and has furloughed classroom teachers even while maintaining certain spending priorities. This financial instability creates real uncertainty about staffing levels, program continuity, and the district's long-term viability. A citizen-led petition is circulating to place consolidation with the county school system on the ballot, which, if successful, would eliminate Dublin City Schools altogether and absorb its schools into Laurens County. Separately, the district has paused and is restarting a school-assignment redistricting process that could affect where families live relative to their assigned building.
The district has built a notable strength in career and technical pathways at the high school level, with end-of-pathway exam pass rates climbing sharply and a substantial share of recent graduates earning industry credentials and college credit. This is a tangible investment in dual-enrollment and credential pathways that may matter for families thinking about secondary outcomes.
Housing in the Dublin 31021 zip code is modest in absolute terms compared to state and national benchmarks. A home purchase would carry below-median price-to-income ratio relative to the nation, though rental affordability is tighter. Mortgage rates are in the mid-six percent range. Property tax exposure may shift depending on the outcome of November 2025 referendums that were being considered to cap reassessments and expand senior exemptions. An ESPLOST sales-tax extension was also on that ballot, affecting future facility and resource funding.
For a parent considering Susie Dasher, the school's academic profile sits competitively within its county context, math performance is solid for the area, and reading instruction would be worth exploring directly with the school given the statewide proficiency results. The district's financial and political turbulence is the larger factor shaping stability and continuity. This is not a school where a parent can assume steady operational conditions over the coming years.
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