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; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hickory Hollow Christian School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ottobine Elementary
Elementary · Rockingham County Public Schools. 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 Wilbur S. Pence Middle (5.0/10), Hickory Hollow Christian School (4.0/10), and Ottobine Elementary (3.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
6
2 public · 4 private
Avg Score
3.5
out of 10
Median Home
$252,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
2 public · 4 private
Avg Score
3.5
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 (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilbur S. Pence Middle | 5.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Hickory Hollow Christian School | 4.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Ottobine Elementary | 3.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Mountain View Mennonite School | 3.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Riverside School | 2.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Edgewood School | 2.0 / 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
- 3.5/10
- 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
#180 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-2.7
below Virginia avg (6.2)
Median household income
$82k
93% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
6
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 3.5 out of 10, schools in Dayton face significant challenges 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 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 Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Mountain View Mennonite School
Private
150 students · 1st–8th | 3.2 | ||
| 2 | Riverside School
Private
34 students · 1st–8th | 2.9 | ||
| 3 | Edgewood School
Private
43 students · 1st–8th | 2.0 | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hickory Hollow Christian School
Private
132 students · 1st–12th | 4.0 |
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
Nearby Cities
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 3.5 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 4.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dayton, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dayton is 15.0:1. 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.