Best Schools in Dayton, Tennessee
5 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Dayton?
Use this page to compare every school in Dayton by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Rhea Central Elementary
Elementary · Rhea County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dayton City Elementary
Elementary · Dayton. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Graysville Elementary School
Elementary · Rhea County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Dayton for 2026 are Rhea Central Elementary (8.4/10), Dayton City Elementary (7.3/10), and Graysville Elementary School (7.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$168,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$168,000
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Dayton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhea Central Elementary | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Dayton City Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Graysville Elementary School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Rhea County Academy | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Frazier Elementary | 5.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $59,182
- Median home value
- $168,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 70%
60% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Dayton compares
Tennessee rank
#58 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above Tennessee avg (6.4)
Median household income
$59k
91% of Tennessee median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Dayton, Tennessee
Dayton, Tennessee is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Dayton show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Dayton is Rhea Central Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Dayton is served by 2 school districts: Dayton, Rhea County. These districts collectively serve 4,783 students.
Dayton's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $59,182. The poverty rate in the area is 14.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 613 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 |
| 2 | 863 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.3 |
| 3 | 215 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 |
| 4 | 322 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.7 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhea County Academy
Private
135 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.8 |
Schools in Dayton
Dayton, Tennessee · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$59,182
Median Home Value
$168,000
Median Rent
$819/mo
Population
20,670
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Community Profile
Dayton has a median household income of $59,182. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,000, with a median rent of $819/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Tennessee
- Elementary
- 4
- Other
- 1
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Tennessee
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Dayton, Tennessee
How many schools are in Dayton, Tennessee?
Dayton has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dayton, Tennessee?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dayton is 6.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Dayton, Tennessee?
The top-ranked school in Dayton on MySchoolScout is Rhea Central Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dayton, Tennessee?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dayton on MySchoolScout is Rhea Central Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.
How many school districts serve Dayton, Tennessee?
Dayton is served by 2 school districts: Dayton, Rhea County.
What is the education level in Dayton, Tennessee?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Dayton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dayton, Tennessee?
The median household income in Dayton is approximately $59,182 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dayton, Tennessee?
Yes, Dayton has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Rhea County Academy with a score of 5.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dayton, Tennessee?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dayton is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dayton, Tennessee?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Tennessee Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.