Average
#191 of 284 private schools in TN
Rhea County Academy
School
245 CALIFORNIA AVE, Dayton, TN 37321
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on TN statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
135
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
135
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Tennessee schools
#83 of 138
About Rhea County Academy
Rhea County Academy serves 135 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Dayton, Tennessee, offering an intimate educational environment with a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1. This regular public school operates with 14 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring personalized attention for each student throughout their academic journey. The school has earned recognition for its educational quality, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10 and ranking #94 out of 284 schools statewide, placing it in the 67th percentile among Tennessee schools.
This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a smaller school setting where students can develop meaningful relationships with both peers and faculty. The academy's compact size allows for a close-knit learning community where students can participate across grade levels and receive individualized support. The low student-teacher ratio creates opportunities for differentiated instruction and helps ensure that students don't get lost in the crowd.
Located on California Avenue in Dayton, Rhea County Academy serves a community where the median household income is $56,844 and 17% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school sits in a town setting that provides students with a sense of community connection while preparing them for their next educational or career steps.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 135 students, Rhea County Academy 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 9.7:1, Rhea County Academy 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.
As a private school, Rhea County Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2018 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $3,034
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $3,478
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.15x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 95%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $500,105
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 135 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Rhea County Academy compares to the 4 public schools in Dayton, TN
Student Demographics
All Schools in Dayton
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Rhea County Academy (this school) | 5.8 |
| Dayton City Elementary | 7.2 |
| Rhea Central Elementary | 8.2 |
| Frazier Elementary | 6.2 |
| Graysville Elementary School | 4.5 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in TN.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in TN
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
245 CALIFORNIA AVE, Dayton, TN 37321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rhea County Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Cecil B Rigsby Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Pikeville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spring City Middle School (rated 8.3/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Spring City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Spring City Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Spring City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dayton, see our Dayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton City Elementary Dayton | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Rhea Central Elementary Dayton | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Graysville Elementary School Dayton | 4.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Frazier Elementary Dayton | 4.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Rhea County High School Evensville | 8.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Rhea Middle School Evensville | 8.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Cecil B Rigsby Elementary Pikeville | 8.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Sale Creek Middle / High School Sale Creek | 8.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Meigs South Elementary Decatur | 9.7 mi | 6.8 |
| North Hamilton County Elementary School Sale Creek | 11.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Pikeville Elementary Pikeville | 11.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Bledsoe County High School Pikeville | 12.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Bledsoe County Middle School Pikeville | 12.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Meigs County High School Decatur | 12.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Meigs Middle School Decatur | 13.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Soddy Elementary School Soddy Daisy | 15.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Spring City Middle School Spring City | 16.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Spring City Elementary Spring City | 16.7 mi | 8.3 |
| CANDIES CREEK ACADEMY Charleston | 17.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Soddy Daisy Middle School Soddy Daisy | 17.8 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 County Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| CLEVELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cleveland, TN | 5.8 |
| MNPS Virtual School Nashville, TN | 5.8 |
| VICTORY BAPTIST ACADEMY Shelbyville, TN | 5.8 |
| CHRIST'S LEGACY ACADEMY Athens, TN | 5.7 |
| Clinch School Sneedville, TN | 5.7 |
| METRO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Goodlettsville, TN | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rhea County Academy
What grades does Rhea County Academy serve?
Rhea County Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Rhea County Academy?
Rhea County Academy has an enrollment of approximately 135 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rhea County Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Rhea County Academy is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Rhea County Academy rank in TN?
Rhea County Academy is ranked #191 out of 284 private schools in TN.
What is Rhea County Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Rhea County Academy has a composite rating of 5.8 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.
Is Rhea County Academy a private school?
Yes, Rhea County Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Rhea County Academy a religious school?
Rhea County Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,688/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dayton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 135
- Gender Split
- 61% M / 39% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- RHEA
- Phone
- (423) 775-2826
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.