Best Schools in Dayton, Texas
7 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 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.
Austin EL
Elementary · Dayton ISD. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Richter EL
Elementary · Dayton ISD. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dayton H S
High · Dayton ISD. 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 Austin EL (7.6/10), Richter EL (5.1/10), and Dayton H S (5.0/10), 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
7
in this city
Avg Score
4.8
out of 10
Median Home
$217,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
in this city
Avg Score
4.8
out of 10
Median Home
$217,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +9.6 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Dayton schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Dayton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin EL | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Richter EL | 5.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Dayton H S | 5.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Kimmie M Brown EL | 4.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Wilson J H | 3.7 / 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
- 4.8/10
- Median household income
- $81,407
- Median home value
- $217,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14%
- Avg commute
- 38 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 85%
17% 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
Texas rank
#615 of 654
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.4
below Texas avg (6.3)
Median household income
$81k
110% of Texas median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Dayton, Texas
Dayton, Texas is home to 7 schools, including 7 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 4.8 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 Austin EL with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Dayton is served by 1 school district: DAYTON ISD. These districts collectively serve 5,787 students.
Dayton's community shows 14% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $81,407. The poverty rate in the area is 13.6%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 771 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 882 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 |
| 3 | 853 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,370 students · 6th–8th | 3.7 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,647 students · 9th–12th | 5.0 |
| 2 | 12 students · 11th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 252 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.5 |
Schools in Dayton
Dayton, Texas · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$81,407
Median Home Value
$217,200
Median Rent
$1,075/mo
Population
38,037
College Educated
14%
Homeownership
85%
Avg Commute
38 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Community Profile
Dayton has a median household income of $81,407. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,200, with a median rent of $1,075/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Texas
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Texas
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, Texas
How many schools are in Dayton, Texas?
Dayton has 7 schools, including 7 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dayton, Texas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dayton is 4.8 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, Texas?
The top-ranked school in Dayton on MySchoolScout is Austin EL with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dayton, Texas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dayton on MySchoolScout is Austin EL with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Dayton, Texas?
The top-ranked middle school in Dayton on MySchoolScout is Wilson J H with a composite score of 3.7/10.
What is the best high school in Dayton, Texas?
The top-ranked high school in Dayton on MySchoolScout is Dayton H S with a composite score of 5.0/10.
How many school districts serve Dayton, Texas?
Dayton is served by 1 school district: Dayton ISD.
What is the education level in Dayton, Texas?
According to Census data, 14% of adults in Dayton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dayton, Texas?
The median household income in Dayton is approximately $81,407 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dayton, Texas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dayton is 16.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dayton, Texas?
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.
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Texas Education Agency, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.