Excellent
#74 of 603 schools in MT
Top 12% in state
Dayton School
Elementary School · Upper West Shore Elem
PO Box 195, Dayton, MT 59914
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Montana elementary schools
#53 of 319
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Dayton School
Dayton School serves 49 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in the small rural community of Dayton, Montana. This elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1 with six full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 89th out of 605 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Montana schools.
Students show balanced achievement with 50% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels. Located in Lake County's ZIP code 59914, Dayton School serves a small community of just 342 residents. The area reflects Montana's rural character, with a median household income of $57,292 and median home values of $865,000.
About one-third of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 18.4%. As a regular public school in this tight-knit rural setting, Dayton School offers the intimate, community-focused educational experience typical of small Montana towns, where students receive individualized attention in a close-knit learning environment surrounded by the natural beauty of rural Lake County.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 49 students, Dayton School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, Dayton School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Dayton School 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
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Data not available for this school
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Dayton School — Students at Dayton School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.6/10.
How Dayton School Compares
See how Dayton School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2022).
Location
PO Box 195, Dayton, MT 59914
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dayton School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Linderman School (rated 8.4/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Polson), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Valley View School (rated 7.9/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Polson), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lakeside Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Somers), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dayton, see our Dayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeside Elementary School Somers | 11.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Cherry Valley School Polson | 13.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Linderman School Polson | 13.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Polson Middle School Polson | 13.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Polson High School Polson | 14.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Somers Middle School Somers | 15.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Valley View School Polson | 16.2 mi | 7.9 |
| MISSION VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Polson | 15.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Bigfork Elementary Bigfork | 16.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork | 16.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Bigfork High School Bigfork | 16.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell | 21.1 mi | 6.6 |
| STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell | 21.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Pablo Elementary Ronan | 19.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Kila 7-8 Kila | 19.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Kila School Kila | 19.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Two Eagle River School Pablo | 19.9 mi | — |
| KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell | 22.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell | 22.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Flathead High School Kalispell | 22.6 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 59914 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,156
Median Home Value
$937,500
Median Rent
$1,175/mo
Population
379
College Educated
41.2%
Homeownership
70.2%
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
57.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dayton School has a median household income of $85,156. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $937,500, with a median rent of $1,175/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Custer School Custer, MT | 8.0 |
| Dodson School Dodson, MT | 8.0 |
| Geraldine Elementary Geraldine, MT | 7.9 |
| Lima School Lima, MT | 8.1 |
| Valley View School Polson, MT | 7.9 |
| Arrow Creek Elem School Pryor, MT | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dayton School
What grades does Dayton School serve?
Dayton School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Dayton School?
Dayton School has an enrollment of approximately 49 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dayton School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dayton School is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dayton School rank in MT?
Dayton School is ranked #74 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Dayton School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dayton School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dayton School has 36.2% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dayton School a charter school?
No, Dayton School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dayton School a Title I school?
No, Dayton School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 49
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (406) 849-5484
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Upper West Shore Elem- District Enrollment
- 49
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,558
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
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