Best Schools in Dayton, Virginia
6 schools · 1 Elementary · 4 Middle · 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.
Wilbur S. Pence Middle
Middle · Rockingham County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Ottobine Elementary
Elementary · Rockingham County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Schools
6
2 public · 4 private
Avg Score
3.7
out of 10
Median Home
$252,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
2 public · 4 private
Avg Score
3.7
out of 10
Median Home
$252,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Dayton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (2 rated schools; 6 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilbur S. Pence Middle | 5.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Ottobine Elementary | 3.9 / 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
- 3.7/10
- Median household income
- $81,667
- Median home value
- $252,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
0% 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
Virginia rank
#184 of 185
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-2.6
below Virginia avg (6.2)
Median household income
$82k
93% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
6
Rockingham County Public Schools runs Dayton's public schools
2 public schools. Rockingham County Public Schools is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Dayton is a Rockingham County Public Schools school (2 of 2).
Among 2 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.9 to 5.0 — the spread is inside Dayton, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Dayton, Virginia
Dayton, Virginia is home to 6 schools, including 2 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 4 middle schools.
With an average rating of 3.7 out of 10, schools in Dayton face significant challenges on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Dayton is Wilbur S. Pence Middle with a composite score of 5.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Dayton is served by 1 school district: Rockingham County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 11,534 students.
Dayton's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $81,667. The poverty rate in the area is 5.7%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 189 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.9 |
Middle Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 669 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 138 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Riverside SchoolPrivate 35 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Edgewood SchoolPrivate 37 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 133 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Dayton
Dayton, Virginia · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$81,667
Median Home Value
$252,000
Median Rent
$979/mo
Population
6,074
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Community Profile
Dayton has a median household income of $81,667. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $252,000, with a median rent of $979/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Virginia
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 4
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in Virginia
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, Virginia
How many schools are in Dayton, Virginia?
Dayton has 6 schools, including 2 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dayton, Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dayton is 3.7 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, Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Dayton on MySchoolScout is Wilbur S. Pence Middle with a composite score of 5.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dayton, Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dayton on MySchoolScout is Ottobine Elementary with a composite score of 3.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Dayton, Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Dayton on MySchoolScout is Wilbur S. Pence Middle with a composite score of 5.0/10.
How many school districts serve Dayton, Virginia?
Dayton is served by 1 school district: Rockingham County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Dayton, Virginia?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Dayton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dayton, Virginia?
The median household income in Dayton is approximately $81,667 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dayton, Virginia?
Yes, Dayton has 4 private schools alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is Hickory Hollow Christian School with a score of 4.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dayton, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dayton is 13.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dayton, Virginia?
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, Virginia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.