Dayton High School · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainDayton’s public schools outscore 87% of Kentucky districts
On the state math tests, 48% of Dayton’s students scored proficient, above the Kentucky average (38%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Dayton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kentucky, not nationally.
From Kentucky state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Dayton’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 48% across both districts in spring 2022, against 45% and 38% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 91%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Dayton Independent spends $16,760 per student and Campbell County $14,103, against $14,752 across Kentucky (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Dayton’s grade
A: better than 87% of Kentucky school districts, #38 of 139 Kentucky towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Kentucky average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dayton, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Dayton
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Dayton
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Dayton
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Dayton
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Dayton
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Dayton
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Dayton
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–6 · 453 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Dayton
Dayton High School
Grades 7–12 · 358 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Dayton
Dayton High School
Grades 7–12 · 358 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Dayton
Dayton High School
Grades 7–12 · 358 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Dayton
Dayton High School
Grades 7–12 · 358 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Dayton
Dayton High School
Grades 7–12 · 358 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Dayton
Dayton High School
Grades 7–12 · 358 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Dayton runs its own schools through grade 12 (Dayton Independent School District). From grade PK, students attend the Campbell County School District, shared with Alexandria, California, Cold Spring, Crestview, Highland Heights, Melbourne, Mentor, Silver Grove, Southgate, Wilder and Woodlawn. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Dayton
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Dayton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kentucky towns that share Dayton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton | A | Dayton Independent PK–12 · Campbell County PK–12 |
| Fort Thomas | A+ | Fort Thomas Independent |
| Bellevue | D− | Bellevue Independent |
Cincinnati, OH borders Dayton but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Dayton
2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kentucky’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Dayton’s schools
Are Dayton’s schools good?
By Kentucky’s own tests, yes: the public schools Dayton children attend outscore 87% of Kentucky’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #38 of 139 Kentucky towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dayton in?
Two districts: Dayton Independent School District runs grades PK–12, and Campbell County School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Alexandria, California, Cold Spring, Crestview, Highland Heights, Melbourne, Mentor, Silver Grove, Southgate, Wilder and Woodlawn.
What is Dayton’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Campbell County School District graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky.
How much does Dayton spend per student?
$16,760 in Dayton Independent School District and $14,103 in Campbell County School District (FY2024), against $14,752 across Kentucky. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Dayton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Dayton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Kentucky. Stars are from neighbors.