Very Good
#674 of 2,225 schools in WA
Top 30% in state
Dayton High School
High School · Dayton School District
614 S Third Street, Dayton, WA 99328
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
7.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dayton
#1 of 3
public schools
Washington high schools
#82 of 476
In district
#1 of 3
Dayton School District
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Dayton High School
Dayton High School serves 90 students in grades 9-12 in the small rural community of Dayton, Washington. This public high school stands out academically, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking impressively at #97 out of 2,261 Washington state schools, placing it in the 96th percentile statewide. With just 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-educator relationships.
Academic performance is solid, with an 8.1 academic score and 70% of students achieving proficiency or above in ELA/reading across grade levels. The school serves a stable rural community where the median household income is $69,355 and median home values are $224,000. About 26% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 9%.
This economic stability appears to support the school's academic success. Located at 614 S Third Street, Dayton High School operates in Columbia County's agricultural heartland, where the close-knit community of 3,669 residents values education and supports their local students in a traditional small-town setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 90 students, Dayton High 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 High 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 High 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Dayton High School — Students at Dayton High School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.
How Dayton High School Compares
See how Dayton High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 26.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 60% (2024).
Location
614 S Third Street, Dayton, WA 99328
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dayton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SE AREA TECHNICAL SKILLS CENTER (rated 7.6/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Walla Walla), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Prescott High School (rated 6.4/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Prescott), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Virtual Preparatory Academy of Washington (rated 6.0/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Starbuck), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dayton, see our Dayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton Middle School Dayton | 0.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Dayton School District Alternative Program Dayton | 0.0 mi | — |
| Dayton Elementary School Dayton | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Waitsburg Elementary School Waitsburg | 9.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Dixie Elementary School Dixie | 14.7 mi | — |
| Starbuck School Starbuck | 15.6 mi | — |
| Virtual Preparatory Academy of Washington Starbuck | 15.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Prescott Elementary School Prescott | 16.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Prescott High School Prescott | 16.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Prescott Special Ed Pre-school Prescott | 16.6 mi | — |
| Prescott Middle School Prescott | 16.6 mi | 7.6 |
| SE AREA TECHNICAL SKILLS CENTER Walla Walla | 21.9 mi | 7.6 |
| ASSUMPTION SCHOOL Walla Walla | 22.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Pomeroy Elementary School Pomeroy | 21.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Pomeroy Jr Sr High School Pomeroy | 21.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Walla Walla Online Walla Walla | 23.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Walla Walla Open Doors Walla Walla | 23.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Berney Elementary School Walla Walla | 23.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Edison Elementary School Walla Walla | 23.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Pioneer Middle School Walla Walla | 23.7 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99328 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,233
Median Home Value
$252,200
Median Rent
$937/mo
Population
3,595
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
78.7%
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Median Age
52.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dayton High School has a median household income of $72,233. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $252,200, with a median rent of $937/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% 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 |
|---|---|
| Maritime High School Des Moines, WA | 7.2 |
| Comm Based Trans Program Tacoma, WA | 7.3 |
| Lopez Middle High School Lopez Island, WA | 7.3 |
| Interagency Open Doors Seattle, WA | 7.1 |
| Mukilteo Reengagement Academy Open Doors Everett, WA | 7.1 |
| Phoenix High School Kennewick, WA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dayton High School
What grades does Dayton High School serve?
Dayton High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Dayton High School?
Dayton High School has an enrollment of approximately 90 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dayton High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dayton High 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 High School rank in WA?
Dayton High School is ranked #674 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Dayton High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dayton High School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Dayton High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dayton High School has 26.0% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dayton High School a charter school?
No, Dayton High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dayton High School a Title I school?
No, Dayton High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dayton High School?
40.0% of students at Dayton High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 90
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Columbia County
- Phone
- (509) 382-4775
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dayton School District- District Enrollment
- 352
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,595
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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
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