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Very Good

#200 of 603 schools in MT

Top 33% in state

Dayton School

Elementary School · Upper West Shore Elem

PO Box 195, Dayton, MT 59914

Enrollment

49

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#200 of 603

School environment

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Dayton School

7.2/10

Elementary School in Dayton · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lakeside Elementary School

7.9/10

11.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cherry Valley School

5.2/10

13.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dayton School

Dayton School is a public elementary school in Dayton, MT, part of Upper West Shore Elem. Dayton School serves approximately 49 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 8.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Dayton School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #200 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Dayton School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above MT schools
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 49 students, Dayton School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 8.2:1 students to teachers, Dayton School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Dayton School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.34 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,558
Chronic Absenteeism30.6%

Dayton School — Students at Dayton School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2016
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2017
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2018
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Dayton School Compares

See how Dayton School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
67th percentile in MT
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.6%

Location

PO Box 195, Dayton, MT 59914

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dayton School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc (rated 8.0/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Kalispell), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lakeside Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Somers), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Linderman School (rated 7.6/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Polson), which scores slightly higher. 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 7.9
Cherry Valley School Polson 13.4 mi 5.2
Linderman School Polson 13.3 mi 7.6
Polson Middle School Polson 13.8 mi 4.4
Polson High School Polson 14.0 mi 5.2
Somers Middle School Somers 15.6 mi 8.1
Valley View School Polson 16.2 mi 3.5
MISSION VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Polson 15.4 mi 7.5
Bigfork Elementary Bigfork 16.6 mi 5.8
Bigfork 7-8 Bigfork 16.6 mi 6.0
Bigfork High School Bigfork 16.6 mi 6.6
Jeannette Rankin Elementary Sc Kalispell 21.1 mi 8.0
STILLWATER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalispell 21.3 mi 5.6
Pablo Elementary Ronan 19.8 mi 5.5
Kila 7-8 Kila 19.5 mi 7.5
Kila School Kila 19.5 mi 6.4
Two Eagle River School Pablo 19.9 mi
KALISPELL MONTESSORI CENTER Kalispell 22.6 mi 4.6
Cornelius Hedges School Kalispell 22.5 mi 4.7
Flathead High School Kalispell 22.6 mi 5.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
NKWUSM SALISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL Arlee, MT 7.2
Power School Power, MT 7.3
Yellowstone Academy Elem Billings, MT 7.3
Kinsey School Kinsey, MT 7.1
Arrow Creek Elem School Pryor, MT 7.0
BOZEMAN SUMMIT SCHOOOL Bozeman, MT 7.0

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 ranks #200 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Dayton School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dayton School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Dayton School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dayton School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.6%

District

Upper West Shore Elem
District Enrollment
49
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,558
District Rank
#1 of 1

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