Excellent
#224 of 1,785 schools in TN
Top 13% in state
Rhea Central Elementary
Elementary School · Rhea County
1005 Delaware AVE, Dayton, TN 37321
Enrollment
613
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
613
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dayton
#1 of 4
public schools
Tennessee elementary schools
#182 of 1,002
In district
#3 of 7
Rhea County
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Rhea Central Elementary
Rhea Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Dayton, TN, part of the Rhea County. The school serves approximately 613 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.5th percentile among TN schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 38% proficiency in math, 1 points below the state average and 37% in reading/language arts, 4 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $59,182, where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Rhea Central Elementary 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
Rhea Central Elementary — Students at Rhea Central Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from TN 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: 8.2/10.
How Rhea Central Elementary Compares
See how Rhea Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 43.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 43.5% (2025).
Location
1005 Delaware AVE, Dayton, TN 37321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rhea Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cecil B Rigsby Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Pikeville), with a very similar rating. Another option is Spring City Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Spring City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Soddy Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Soddy Daisy), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dayton, see our Dayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| RHEA COUNTY ACADEMY Dayton | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Dayton City Elementary Dayton | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Graysville Elementary School Dayton | 4.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Frazier Elementary Dayton | 4.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Cecil B Rigsby Elementary Pikeville | 7.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Rhea County High School Evensville | 7.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Rhea Middle School Evensville | 7.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Sale Creek Middle / High School Sale Creek | 9.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Meigs South Elementary Decatur | 10.3 mi | 6.8 |
| North Hamilton County Elementary School Sale Creek | 12.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Pikeville Elementary Pikeville | 11.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Bledsoe County High School Pikeville | 12.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Bledsoe County Middle School Pikeville | 12.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Meigs County High School Decatur | 13.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Meigs Middle School Decatur | 13.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Soddy Elementary School Soddy Daisy | 16.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Spring City Middle School Spring City | 15.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Spring City Elementary Spring City | 16.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Mary V Wheeler Elementary Pikeville | 16.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Soddy Daisy Middle School Soddy Daisy | 18.2 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 37321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,182
Median Home Value
$168,000
Median Rent
$819/mo
Population
20,670
College Educated
18.4%
Homeownership
70.1%
Avg Commute
26.8 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
38.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rhea Central Elementary has a median household income of $59,182. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,000, with a median rent of $819/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Battle Creek Elementary School Spring Hill, TN | 8.2 |
| Collinwood Elementary Collinwood, TN | 8.2 |
| Eakin Elementary Nashville, TN | 8.2 |
| East Lake Elementary School Chattanooga, TN | 8.2 |
| Griffith Elementary Dunlap, TN | 8.2 |
| New Prospect Elementary Lawrenceburg, TN | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rhea Central Elementary
What grades does Rhea Central Elementary serve?
Rhea Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Rhea Central Elementary?
Rhea Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 613 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rhea Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Rhea Central Elementary is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rhea Central Elementary rank in TN?
Rhea Central Elementary is ranked #224 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Rhea Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Rhea Central Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Rhea Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rhea Central Elementary has 37.9% math proficiency and 37.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rhea Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Rhea Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rhea Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Rhea Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dayton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 613
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Rhea County
- Phone
- (423) 775-7842
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rhea County- District Enrollment
- 3,920
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,563
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
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.