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Nelson Park, Waupaca CountyPhoto: BaronLarf · CC BY-SA 3.0
B
Schools in Dayton · Waupaca School District

Dayton’s public schools outscore 64% of Wisconsin districts

In Dayton, 47% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Wisconsin average (39%). 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 Wisconsin, not nationally.

#171of 362 Wisconsin townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Wisconsin 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.

Reading proficiency
44%
▲ 6 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
47%
▲ 8 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▼ 0–4 pts vs WI 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.4K
▼ 1% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.9
WI 13.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
1,771 students on the public path
In brief

Dayton’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 44% and math 47% in spring 2022, against 38% and 39% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,356 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is Waupaca Middle, then Waupaca High. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Dayton’s grade

B+ Test scoresC− Graduation

B: better than 64% of Wisconsin school districts, #171 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Wisconsin average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 64%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (1253)Better than 67%
Towns in Waupaca County (22)Better than 73%
B−A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,000 test results and a graduating class of 126 could put Dayton anywhere from B− to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Dayton’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,001 in math, 1,000 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Dayton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4Waupaca Learning Center Elementaryin WaupacaB−
5–8Waupaca Middlein WaupacaB+
9–12Waupaca Highin WaupacaB−

Dayton’s public schools are run by Waupaca School District, which also serves Belmont, Farmington, Lanark and Lind and others. Parts of Dayton (6% of its land) are served by Wild Rose 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.

Waupaca School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 2,043 students · 12.9 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$16,356WI $16,459 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading44%
State average 38.1% · 1000 students tested
Math47%
State average 38.7% · 1001 students tested

Dayton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Wisconsin towns that share Dayton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DaytonBWaupaca
FarmingtonBWaupaca
LindB+Weyauwega-Fremont PK–12 · Waupaca PK–12
Belmont—Almond-Bancroft PK–12 · Waupaca PK–12
SpringwaterC+Wild Rose

3 of the 4 neighbors share Waupaca with Dayton, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Dayton

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Wisconsin’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

Also serving Daytonin other towns
Waupaca Learning Center Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Waupaca
B−
602 students11:1Rate it →
Waupaca Middle
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Waupaca
B+
546 students13:1Rate it →
Waupaca High
High · Grades 9–12 · Waupaca
B−
623 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Dayton’s schools

Are Dayton’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Wisconsin: the public schools Dayton children attend outscore 64% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #171 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Dayton in?

Waupaca School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,043 students in 5 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Dayton are served by Wild Rose.

Where do Dayton kids go to high school?

Waupaca High in Waupaca, with 623 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is Dayton’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Waupaca School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.

How much does Dayton spend per student?

$16,356 in Waupaca School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Dayton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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 Wisconsin. Stars are from neighbors.