Photo: Blervis · CC BY 4.0Dayton’s public schools score below 82% of Ohio districts on tests and graduation
16% of students in Dayton’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Ohio average (52%). The grade covers the public school district 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 Ohio, not nationally.
From Ohio state tests taken in spring 2022, when 94% 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
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 25% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 60% and 52% statewide; 94% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
69% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across Ohio. Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $20,963 per student in FY2024, against $16,610 across Ohio. 29% of its revenue that year was federal (Ohio 12%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
12 elementary schools, then seven middle schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
City Day Community School, Richard Allen Preparatory, Alliance Community Schools Inc. dba Dayton Leadership Acade, Pathway School of Discovery, Emerson Academy, Gem City Career Prep High School, Dayton Business Technology High School, Dayton Early College Academy Inc, Klepinger Community School, Horizon Science Academy Dayton Downtown, Deca Prep, Dayton SMART Elementary School, Liberty High School, Montgomery Preparatory Academy, Dayton Career Tech High School, Chaminade Julienne High School (private), Our Lady of the Rosary School (private), Holy Angels Elementary School (private), St. Benedict the Moor Catholic School (private), St. Anthony Elementary School (private), Temple Christian School (private), Dominion Academy of Dayton (private) and The Greater Dayton School (private) are in town. Mad River Local Schools Remote Learning Center, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
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
C−: better than 18% of Ohio school districts, #990 of 993 Ohio towns. Both inputs trail the Ohio average; among the 527 Ohio towns with similar household incomes, Dayton’s schools place at the bottom.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dayton, with each school’s own grade.
Dayton’s public schools are run by Dayton City School District, which also serves Harrison. Parts of Dayton (9%, 5%, 4%, 4%, 3% and 3% of its land) are served by Vandalia-Butler City, Trotwood-Madison City, Huber Heights City, Northridge Local, Jefferson Township Local and Mad River Local instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Dayton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Ohio towns that share Dayton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton | C− | Dayton City |
| Harrison | C− | Dayton City PK–12 · Northridge Local PK–12 |
| Riverside | C+ | Mad River Local |
| Jefferson | D | Jefferson Township Local |
| Trotwood | C− | Trotwood-Madison City |
| Huber Heights | C+ | Huber Heights City |
| Butler | B+ | Vandalia-Butler City |
| Moraine | B | Kettering City PK–12 · West Carrollton City PK–12 · Jefferson Township Local K–12 |
| Kettering | A− | Kettering City |
| Vandalia | B+ | Vandalia-Butler City |
| Oakwood | A+ | Oakwood City |
| Union | B+ | Vandalia-Butler City PK–12 · Northmont City PK–12 |
| Bath | C+ | Fairborn City |
Every school in Dayton
46 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Ohio’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 6 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Kiser Elementary School, Dayton Digital Academy, Kettering City Schools MCESC Remote Learning Center, Vandalia-Butler Online Learning School, Jefferson Township Local School District and Northmont Online Academy).
Questions about Dayton’s schools
Are Dayton’s schools good?
On Ohio’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Dayton children attend score below 82% of Ohio’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #990 of 993 Ohio towns. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Dayton in?
Dayton City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,118 students in 26 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Dayton are served by Vandalia-Butler City, Trotwood-Madison City, Huber Heights City, Northridge Local, Jefferson Township Local and Mad River Local.
What is Dayton’s graduation rate?
69% of the class of 2023 in Dayton City School District graduated in four years, against 86% across Ohio.
How much does Dayton spend per student?
$20,963 in Dayton City School District (FY2024), against $16,610 across Ohio. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Dayton?
Yes: Chaminade Julienne High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 702 students), Our Lady of the Rosary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 294 students), Holy Angels Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 244 students), St. Benedict the Moor Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 186 students), St. Anthony Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 151 students), Temple Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 130 students), Dominion Academy of Dayton (religious, grades K–12, 112 students) and The Greater Dayton School (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 105 students). Dayton also has 15 charter schools, free and open by application.
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 Ohio. Stars are from neighbors.