School district or education agency · NCES 1305700

Whitfield County

Dalton, GA

District overview See comparisons

Students12,151

Student membership reported by NCES for 2023–24.

Schools22

operational schools · 2023–24

Students12,151

students in linked records

Latest attendance year2022–23

federal comparable series

Latest finance record$13,284

per student

District, state and country

How does this district compare?

State and national figures use the same measure and reporting period. They are weighted by students or staffing whenever the source provides a denominator.

MeasureDistrictGAUnited States

Academic standing2025

43rd percentile43rd percentile45th percentile

This district is about the same as the state figure and 2 percentile points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students chronically absent2022–23

21.5%26.2%27.8%

This district is 4.7 percentage points lower than the state figure and 6.3 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Revenue per studentFY 2023

$15,690$16,903$19,509

This district is $1,213 per student lower than the state figure and $3,819 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Spending per studentFY 2023

$13,284$14,282$15,859

This district is $998 per student lower than the state figure and $2,575 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Capital outlay per studentFY 2023

$1,611$1,541$1,964

This district is $70 per student higher than the state figure and $353 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Equipment spending per studentFY 2023

$51$232$336

This district is $181 per student lower than the state figure and $285 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Special-education spending per studentFY 2023

$1,695$1,656$1,793

This district is $39 per student higher than the state figure and $98 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Salaries per studentFY 2023

$7,256$7,981$8,742

This district is $725 per student lower than the state figure and $1,486 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Benefits per studentFY 2023

$3,458$3,469$3,769

This district is $11 per student lower than the state figure and $311 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Debt outstanding per studentFY 2023

$0$2,959$11,715

This district is $2,959 per student lower than the state figure and $11,715 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Debt retired per studentFY 2023

$608$355$869

This district is $253 per student higher than the state figure and $261 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Students per teacher2023–24

13:114:115:1

This district is 1.0 students per teacher lower than the state figure and 2.0 students per teacher lower than the U.S. figure.

Students per counselor2023–24

368:1378:1376:1

This district is 10 students per counselor lower than the state figure and 8 students per counselor lower than the U.S. figure.

District staff per 1,000 students2023–24

132.1142.9138.9

This district is 10.8 staff per 1,000 students lower than the state figure and 6.8 staff per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

Instructional aides per 1,000 students2023–24

15.316.418.5

This district is 1.1 aides per 1,000 students lower than the state figure and 3.2 aides per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

School psychologists per 1,000 students2023–24

0.70.50.9

This district is 0.2 psychologists per 1,000 students higher than the state figure and 0.2 psychologists per 1,000 students lower than the U.S. figure.

Regular diplomas among completers2023–24

100.0%99.8%99.0%

This district is 0.2 percentage points higher than the state figure and 1.0 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–122023–24

2.5%2.8%2.6%

This district is 0.3 percentage points lower than the state figure and 0.1 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Pre-K students as a share of enrollment2023–24

3.1%2.9%2.9%

This district is 0.2 percentage points higher than the state figure and 0.2 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students learning English2021–22 · reporting schools

20.3%9.1%12.0%

This district is 11.3 percentage points higher than the state figure and 8.3 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · reporting schools

15.4%12.7%14.0%

This district is 2.7 percentage points higher than the state figure and 1.4 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · reporting schools

2.7%3.8%3.9%

This district is 1.2 percentage points lower than the state figure and 1.3 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Teachers reported as certified2021–22 · reporting schools

96.2%93.4%95.8%

This district is 2.8 percentage points higher than the state figure and 0.4 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment change2021–22 to 2023–24

-2.4%+0.4%+0.5%

This district is 2.8 percentage points lower than the state figure and 2.9 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students without disabilities2021–22 · matched enrollment

4.6%6.3%4.5%

This district is 1.7 percentage points lower than the state figure and 0.1 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · matched enrollment

10.0%13.1%9.0%

This district is 3.1 percentage points lower than the state figure and 1.0 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · matched enrollment

8.8%8.3%6.7%

This district is 0.5 percentage points higher than the state figure and 2.1 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students enrolled in district distance education2021–22 · matched enrollment

3.1%5.8%5.1%

This district is 2.7 percentage points lower than the state figure and 2.0 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

School-age children in poverty2024 Census estimate

18.1%16.1%14.4%

This district is 2.0 percentage points higher than the state figure and 3.7 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment · 2023–24

Who attends this district?

Pre-K376 students

3.1%

Kindergarten–grade 55,258 students

43.3%

Grades 6–82,669 students

22.0%

Grades 9–123,848 students

31.7%

See enrollment for every grade

Pre-Kindergarten376

Kindergarten864

Grade 1911

Grade 2907

Grade 3847

Grade 4883

Grade 5846

Grade 6861

Grade 7918

Grade 8890

Grade 9995

Grade 101,024

Grade 11920

Grade 12909

Students by race and ethnicity

White5,831 (48.0%)

Hispanic/Latino5,601 (46.1%)

Two or more races409 (3.4%)

Black or African American200 (1.6%)

Asian64 (0.5%)

American Indian or Alaska Native44 (0.4%)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander2 (0.0%)

Final NCES Common Core of Data membership file, 2023–24. Suppressed or missing cells are not estimated.

Early learning · 2023–24

How much public pre-K is reported?

376Students enrolled in pre-K

19.4Pre-K teachers, full-time equivalent

19.4:1Reported pre-K students per pre-K teacher

Pre-K students as a share of district enrollment

District3.1%

GA2.9%

United States2.9%

Final NCES Common Core of Data membership and staff files, 2023–24. Enrollment shows children attending district-run public pre-K. It does not show open seats, waitlists, private providers, program hours, eligibility or the cost to families.

Current staffing · 2023–24

How many staff members support students?

1,605.7All district staff, full-time equivalent

907.1Teachers, full-time equivalent

33School counselors, full-time equivalent

8.6School psychologists, full-time equivalent

186.2Instructional aides, full-time equivalent

22Librarians and media specialists, full-time equivalent

54.9School administrators, full-time equivalent

63.9Student support staff, full-time equivalent

See detailed staffing

Pre-K teachers19.4 FTE

Kindergarten teachers52.6 FTE

Elementary teachers355.4 FTE

Secondary teachers339 FTE

Ungraded teachers140.7 FTE

Elementary school counselors13 FTE

Secondary school counselors20 FTE

Instructional coordinators32.4 FTE

District administrators14 FTE

District administrative support14 FTE

School administrative support65.4 FTE

Library and media support17.3 FTE

Other support staff186.9 FTE

Final NCES Common Core of Data staff file, 2023–24. These are full-time-equivalent positions, not employee headcounts, vacancies or caseloads.

High-school outcomes · 2023–24

How many students completed school or dropped out?

944Total completers

944Regular diplomas

97Reported dropouts, grades 9–12

Regular diplomas among completers

District100.0%

GA99.8%

United States99.0%

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–12

District2.5%

GA2.8%

United States2.6%

Final NCES Common Core of Data completer and dropout files, 2023–24. The dropout rate divides the reported annual grades 9–12 dropout count by complete grades 9–12 enrollment. It is not a cohort graduation rate. The diploma share describes credentials among completers and should not be read as a graduation rate.

Teachers and staff

Teacher workforce

Loading the district’s workforce comparison…

Graduation · 2022–23

How many students graduated within four years?

Loading the district's official graduation record…

Learning support · 2021–22 federal snapshot

How many students may need specialized support?

Counts and shares use only schools with a usable value for that measure. The reporting-school denominator prevents missing schools from being counted as zero.

20.3%Students learning English2,450 students · 22 of 22 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District20.3%

GA9.1%

U.S.12.0%

15.4%Students receiving IDEA special-education services1,864 students · 22 of 22 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District15.4%

GA12.7%

U.S.14.0%

2.7%Students with Section 504 plans320 students · 22 of 22 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District2.7%

GA3.8%

U.S.3.9%

4.3%English learners also receiving IDEA services517 students · 22 of 22 schools reported both this measure and enrollment

District4.3%

GA1.3%

U.S.1.7%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Public-use counts are privacy-protected. These figures describe the reporting year, not current enrollment, diagnoses, service quality or unmet need.

Teacher quality and early learning · 2021–22

What did the district report about teachers and preschool?

96.2%Teachers reported as certified

377Children ages 3–5 in district preschool

Teacher certification comparison

District96.2%

GA93.4%

United States95.8%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Certification status is district-reported and may not match current staffing. Preschool counts cover the federal reporting year and are not a measure of available seats.

Community context · 2024

How many school-age children live in poverty?

This Census estimate provides context about families in the district. It does not measure school quality or describe every student enrolled in the district.

12,832children ages 5 to 17

2,324estimated to live in families below the poverty line

18.1%about 1 in 6 school-age children

District18.1%

GA16.1%

United States14.4%

U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. The estimate covers related children ages 5 to 17 in families in poverty and uses 2024–25 district boundaries.

District geography · 2024–25

What area does this district cover?

NCES publishes a geographic boundary for traditional school districts. Charter agencies and some special-purpose agencies may not have one.

Loading the official district boundary…

Source: NCES EDGE School District Boundaries, school year 2024–25.

Comparable districts

Districts serving a similar student population

These peers are matched using enrollment and available student population measures. Districts in GA receive geographic preference, but a closer national match may appear when it is more comparable. Open any profile for a full comparison.

Clarke CountyAthens, GA12,331 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Troup CountyLagrange, GA12,278 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Glynn CountyBrunswick, GA12,714 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Bulloch CountyBrooklet, GA11,068 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →Paramount UnifiedParamount, CA12,042 studentsSimilar enrollment, community poverty, English-learner enrollment · View profile →

Student outcomes

How are students doing?

Four views answer different questions. State test percentages show grade-level expectations; the national research trend shows change over time; graduation and dropout measures describe high-school outcomes.

Nationally comparable trend · 2019–2025

Are results improving over time?

43^rdlatest estimated national standing

20192022202320242025

5 percentile points lower than 2019.

Annual dropout · 2023–24

How many high-school students left during the year?

2.5%of students enrolled in grades 9–12

District2.5%

GA2.8%

U.S.2.6%

Lower is better. This annual rate is not the opposite of the graduation rate because the measures use different students and time periods.

State proficiency standards differ and should not be used for cross-state rankings. Graduation ranges and privacy protections are preserved exactly. The academic trend uses Stanford Education Data Archive estimates and is not a state proficiency percentage.

District makeup

What kinds of schools are in the district?

13Elementary schools

4High schools

5Middle schools

8Suburb setting

14Rural setting

School levels, settings and types use the NCES 2021–22 directory matched to the federal civil-rights collection.

District finances

How is the district funded, and how does it spend?

Sources of funds

Where the money comes from

Share of district revenue supplied by each level of government.

17.3%Federal

51.8%State

30.9%Local

Uses of funds

Where the money goes

Annual spending for each enrolled student.

$13,284Total current spending per student

$7,977Instruction per student

$4,330Support services per student

Revenue by source: percentages and dollars

$33.5MFederal revenue17.3% of total revenue

$100MState revenue51.8% of total revenue

$59.7MLocal revenue30.9% of total revenue

How operating money was used

$7,977Instructionper student

$4,330Student and instructional supportper student

$1,695Special educationper student

$869Building operations and maintenanceper student

$532Student transportationper student

$977Food servicesper student

$206Technologyper student

People costs

$89.4MSalaries$7,256 per student

$42.6MEmployee benefits$3,458 per student

Equipment, buildings and debt

$623KEquipmentFY 2023

$19.8MCapital outlay$1,611 per student

$18.2MConstructionincluded in capital outlay

$0Debt outstanding at year end$0 per student

$0New debt issuedFY 2023

$7.5MDebt principal retiredFY 2023

$375KInterest paid on debtFY 2023

Selected federal program revenue

$3.6MTitle I$296 per student

$2.7MIDEA special education$222 per student

$116KCareer and technical education$9 per student

$8.7MChild nutrition$705 per student

What changed since FY 2022

Operating spending per student

FY 2022$12,781

FY 2023$13,284

Capital spending per student

FY 2022$1,443

FY 2023$1,611

Debt outstanding per student

FY 2022$602

FY 2023$0

Revenue shares and spending categories answer different questions and should not be added together. Source: NCES F-33 district finance, FY 2023.

Attendance

How has chronic absence changed?

2020–2114.8%

1,812 of 12,243 students

2021–2222%

2,654 of 12,071 students

2022–2321.5%

2,568 of 11,928 students

Specialized support and security · 2021–22

What specialized roles were reported?

9Sworn law-enforcement officer FTE22 reporting schools

0Security staff FTE22 reporting schools

Staffing is reported as full-time equivalents in the 2021–22 CRDC collection.

Learning opportunities

What do district schools offer?

Algebra I4 reporting schools

Calculus4 reporting schools

Biology4 reporting schools

Chemistry4 reporting schools

Physics4 reporting schools

Computer science4 reporting schools

Advanced Placement4 reporting schools

Dual enrollment4 reporting schools

Gifted programs22 reporting schools

International Baccalaureate4 reporting schools

Athletics4 reporting schools

Shares use only schools for which the program was applicable and reported. A districtwide percentage does not guarantee availability at every grade or campus. Source: 2021–22 CRDC.

Safety and discipline

What was reported across district schools?

644Out-of-school suspensions22 reporting schoolsSee schools →1,307In-school suspensions22 reporting schoolsSee schools →37Law-enforcement referrals22 reporting schoolsSee schools →0School-related arrests22 reporting schoolsSee schools →

Counts are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Open a measure to see the schools behind the district total.

Technology and safety · 2021–22

What access and incident data is available?

100%Schools reporting Wi-Fi22 reporting schools

100%Schools reporting fiber22 reporting schools

22Student devices reported22 reporting schools

Technology and incident figures are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Device counts describe the reporting year, not current inventory.

Six questions parents ask

What the available data says

Each answer shows its reporting year and opens a deeper comparison. Missing and suppressed results are never shown as zero.

Are students making academic progress?5 years of resultsLatest research estimate: 2025Explore and compare →Are students missing too much school?21.5% chronically absent2022–23 · 11,928 students measuredExplore and compare →Is the district improving?Declined overallCompare the earliest and latest available yearsExplore and compare →Where are student-group gaps largest?0 student groups2025 research estimatesExplore and compare →How much does the district spend?$13,284current spending per studentExplore and compare →Does the district have enough support staff?368:1 counselor ratioStudents per counselor in the 2023–24 federal staffing fileExplore and compare →

Data status

8 of 8 national data layers are matched to this NCES district ID. Identity and school counts use NCES records. Academic estimates use SEDA, attendance uses EDFacts, finance uses NCES F-33, staffing and enrollment use 2023–24 NCES CCD where available, teacher certification, preschool and policy fields use the 2021–22 CRDC, and community poverty context uses Census SAIPE. Four-year graduation rates use 2022–23 EDFacts. Every detailed view preserves its reporting year.

See all sources →