Average
#1073 of 1,280 schools in IA
Dayton Center
Elementary School · Southeast Valley Community School District
PO BOX 26 104 2nd St. NW, Dayton, IA 50530
Enrollment
205
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
205
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa elementary schools
#558 of 662
In district
#2 of 2
Southeast Valley Community School District
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Dayton Center
Dayton Center is a rural elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. Located in Dayton, Iowa, the school has an enrollment of 205 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, which allows for personalized attention and support. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' education, Dayton Center aims to provide a nurturing environment that fosters learning and growth.
Academically, the school has an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 69% and a Math proficiency rate of 79%, indicating areas where continued focus could help improve overall performance. Despite its current ranking as #748 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (42nd percentile), Dayton Center is committed to the continuous development and well-being of each student. Dayton Center is situated in a rural setting, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere where they can feel supported and engaged.
The school's location fosters a strong sense of belonging among both students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dayton Center may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Dayton Center — Students at Dayton Center score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.
How Dayton Center Compares
See how Dayton Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 26 104 2nd St. NW, Dayton, IA 50530
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dayton Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ogden Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Ogden), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Fort Dodge), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Boone), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dayton, see our Dayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside | 5.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Stratford Elementary Stratford | 7.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Ogden Elementary School Ogden | 15.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Ogden Middle School Ogden | 16.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Ogden High School Ogden | 16.0 mi | 6.2 |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 16.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge | 16.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Franklin Elementary School Boone | 16.0 mi | 7.4 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 17.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge | 17.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge | 17.9 mi | 5.6 |
| ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 17.9 mi | 5.3 |
| ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 17.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge | 17.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Duncombe Elementary School Fort Dodge | 18.0 mi | 3.3 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Boone | 16.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Boone High School Boone | 16.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge | 18.4 mi | 3.6 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Boone | 16.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge | 18.8 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50530 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,473
Median Home Value
$138,900
Median Rent
$542/mo
Population
1,119
College Educated
21.5%
Homeownership
71.7%
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dayton Center has a median household income of $76,473. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,900, with a median rent of $542/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fremont-Mills Elementary School Tabor, IA | 5.0 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines, IA | 5.0 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Manchester, IA | 5.0 |
| Walnut Street School Des Moines, IA | 5.0 |
| Fairbank Elementary School Fairbank, IA | 5.1 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa, IA | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dayton Center
What grades does Dayton Center serve?
Dayton Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Dayton Center?
Dayton Center has an enrollment of approximately 205 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dayton Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Dayton Center is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dayton Center rank in IA?
Dayton Center is ranked #1073 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Dayton Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Dayton Center has a composite rating of 5.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Dayton Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dayton Center has 79.3% math proficiency and 69.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dayton Center a charter school?
No, Dayton Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dayton Center a Title I school?
No, Dayton Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dayton Center?
46.3% of students at Dayton Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (263/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 205
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Webster County
- Phone
- (515) 547-2314
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southeast Valley Community School District- District Enrollment
- 1,100
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,011
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.