Rhea County Courthouse · Photo: Calvin Beale · Public domainDayton’s public schools outscore 59% of Tennessee districts
Math proficiency in Dayton’s districts is 37%, above the Tennessee average (31%). The grade covers the public school district serving Dayton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Tennessee, not nationally.
From Tennessee state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2020’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Dayton’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 230 Tennessee towns with household incomes within a quarter of Dayton’s, its schools beat 70%, higher than their 59% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 32% and math 37% in spring 2022, against 37% and 31% statewide. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,730 per student, against $13,059 across Tennessee (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Rhea County Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Dayton’s grade
B: better than 59% of Tennessee school districts, #79 of 176 Tennessee towns. Test scores are above the Tennessee average; there is no graduation rate to add.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dayton, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Dayton
Dayton City Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 891 students
Kindergarten in Dayton
Dayton City Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 891 students
1st grade in Dayton
Dayton City Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 891 students
2nd grade in Dayton
Dayton City Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 891 students
3rd grade in Dayton
Dayton City Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 891 students
4th grade in Dayton
Dayton City Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 891 students
5th grade in Dayton
Dayton City Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 891 students
6th grade in Dayton
Dayton City Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 891 students
7th grade in Dayton
Dayton City Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 891 students
8th grade in Dayton
Dayton City Elementary
Grades PK–8 · 891 students
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.
Below the state in reading
Dayton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Tennessee towns that share Dayton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton | B | Dayton City Elementary PK–8 · Rhea County School District in Dayton |
| Graysville | B | Rhea County |
Every school in Dayton
2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Tennessee’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Dayton’s schools
Are Dayton’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Tennessee: the public schools Dayton children attend outscore 59% of Tennessee’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #79 of 176 Tennessee towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 70%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2020.
What school district is Dayton in?
Dayton City Elementary School District, which runs grades PK–8 and enrolls 891 students in 1 schools (2024–25).
How much does Dayton spend per student?
$11,730 in Dayton City Elementary School District (FY2024), against $13,059 across Tennessee. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Dayton?
Yes: Rhea County Academy (religious, grades K–12, 156 students).
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 2020) 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 Tennessee. Stars are from neighbors.