6.4 avg / 10

Best Schools in Dayton, Tennessee

5 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 4

Private: 1

Districts: 2

Avg Rating: 6.4/10

Estimated Scores: 20%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.4/10
Median household income: $59,182
Median home value: $168,000
Bachelor's degree or higher: 18%
Avg commute: 27 min
Owner-occupied homes: 70%

How Dayton compares

Tennessee rank

#86 of 182

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

+0.1

above Tennessee avg (6.3)

Median household income

$59k

91% of Tennessee median

Schools in this city

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 6.4 out of 10, schools in Dayton show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Dayton is Rhea Central Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (5) Elementary (4)

Filter by Type: All Types (5) Public (4) Private (1)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (5) Academics (5) Growth (4) Diversity (4) Resources (4)

Filter by ZIP: 37321 (5)

Elementary Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Rhea Central Elementary 613 students · Pre-K–5th	613	Pre-K–5th	8.2
2	Dayton City Elementary 863 students · Pre-K–8th	863	Pre-K–8th	7.2
3	Frazier Elementary 322 students · Kindergarten–5th	322	Kindergarten–5th	6.2
4	Graysville Elementary School 215 students · Pre-K–5th	215	Pre-K–5th	4.5

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	RHEA COUNTY ACADEMY Private 135 students · Pre-K–12th	135	Pre-K–12th	Not Rated

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.

Quick Facts

State: Tennessee
Total Schools: 5
Elementary: 4
Districts: 2
Avg Rating: 6.4/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Dayton schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Dayton 📊 Niche Dayton Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (2)

Dayton

1 school · 863 students

Rhea County

7 schools · 3,920 students

Nearby Cities

Evensville (2 schools)

8 mi

Sale Creek (2 schools)

10 mi

Pikeville (5 schools)

13 mi

Decatur (4 schools)

12 mi

Spring City (2 schools)

17 mi

Soddy Daisy (8 schools)

19 mi

Charleston (2 schools)

18 mi

Cleveland (32 schools)

23 mi

Riceville (2 schools)

Ooltewah (11 schools)

28 mi

Other Major Cities in Tennessee

Top metros statewide by school count.

Memphis 242 schools Nashville 167 schools Knoxville 116 schools Chattanooga 72 schools Clarksville 51 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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 6.4 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

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 8.2/10.

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 8.2/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.