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Dayton City Elementary School

Q: Is Dayton City Elementary School a good school?

Dayton City Elementary School ranks 448 th of 1019 Tennessee elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-8

448^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,019 Tennessee Elementary Schools

Better than 56% of Tennessee elementary schools

Summary

Dayton City Elementary School serves 891 students in pre-K through 8th grade in Dayton, Tennessee, and is the sole school in the Dayton City School district. The school holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 56th percentile of Tennessee elementary and middle schools, placing it squarely in the middle of the state. It is the largest school in its immediate comparison group—more than 50% larger than any nearby elementary school—and one of only two PK–8 schools in the area.

Academically, Dayton City's middle school is its standout. Eighth grade math proficiency is 61.2% versus 38.3% statewide, and 8th grade ELA is 46.9% versus 32.3% statewide. Social studies is a particular strength, with 63.9% of students proficient compared to 51.4% statewide, far surpassing nearby Rhea Central Elementary School at 43.6%. However, early elementary grades lag: 3rd grade math is 32% proficient versus 42.6% statewide, and science trails the state across all tested grades. This pattern suggests the school adds significant value during the middle school years. In fact, Dayton City outperforms Rhea Central—less than a mile away—in ELA, social studies, and science while spending roughly $3,300 less per student.

Attendance and cost efficiency are notable differentiators. Dayton City's chronic absenteeism rate is just 9.5% versus 18.3% statewide, and several higher-performing neighbors like North Hamilton County Elementary School (18.0%) and Graysville Elementary School (20.4%) have much higher rates. At $12,532 per student, Dayton City spends less than nearly all nearby schools, including Soddy Elementary School ($18,425) and Pikeville Elementary School ($17,416). The school's main challenges are early elementary math and science instruction and consistently serving Hispanic students and students with disabilities. Overall, Dayton City offers competitive results, strong attendance, and efficient spending—a solid, cost-effective option for families in the Dayton area.

891

Students ?

14.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,532

Per pupil spending ?

60.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

520 Cherry Street
Dayton, TN 37321

(423) 775-8414

District: Dayton City School

Racial breakdown:

White:

75.0%

Hispanic:

15.2%

African American:

4.4%

See top rated Tennessee elementary schools

Compare Dayton City Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 39th percentile in 2015 → 56th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 17 percentile points since 2015

✓Above the Tennessee median (56th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school48%

District avg48%

Tennessee avg45%

Elementary school

448^th of 1,019

Tennessee public elementary schools ?

Top 44%▲ up 30 pts since 2017

From bottom 26% (2017) to top 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

118^th of 594

Tennessee public middle schools ?

Top 20%▲ up 57 pts since 2017

From bottom 23% (2017) to top 20% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Tennessee Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

31^st of 141Dayton City School among Tennessee districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	54.1	448 of 1019	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	56.1	407 of 1009	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	52.1	445 of 1018	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	50.5	464 of 1020	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.1	525 of 1000	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.8	462 of 983	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	64.0	280 of 985	71.6%	★★★★☆
2018	52.4	413 of 997	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	33.8	478 of 646	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	46.6	525 of 855	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	53.8	381 of 853	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2013	58.2	424 of 846	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2012	49.4	453 of 820	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2011	54.9	393 of 818	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	58.3	348 of 809	57.0%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	24.9	386 of 498	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	44.2	108 of 211	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	62.3	39 of 178	78.1%	★★★★☆
2022	32.1	125 of 165	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	51.3	444 of 986	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.0	370 of 990	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	41.1	565 of 989	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	42.6	537 of 975	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.2	450 of 945	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	67.1	240 of 926	74.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	29.7	345 of 458	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	25.7	341 of 424	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	32.5	293 of 415	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	28.4	302 of 387	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	53.6	135 of 363	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	54.2	119 of 324	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	64.8	54 of 250	78.4%	★★★★☆
2018	38.2	202 of 319	36.7%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	39.7	524 of 823	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	66.5	181 of 843	78.5%	★★★★☆
2024	59.8	263 of 853	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.9	414 of 865	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	40.6	500 of 858	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	53.6	306 of 823	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.8	254 of 821	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.1	295 of 877	66.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	58.4	353 of 984	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	44.2	540 of 991	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	58.0	352 of 987	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	48.2	459 of 980	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.9	459 of 941	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	57.0	320 of 916	65.1%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	22.5	551 of 641	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	30.6	430 of 618	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.6	374 of 582	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.5	319 of 528	39.6%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	49.7	397 of 849	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.0	373 of 840	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.3	426 of 847	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	41.8	486 of 852	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	36.6	542 of 844	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.5	499 of 844	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	55.6	300 of 812	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.8	363 of 841	56.8%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	74.0	118 of 594	80.1%	★★★★☆
2025	74.2	114 of 583	80.4%	★★★★☆
2024	71.4	126 of 587	78.5%	★★★★☆
2023	67.8	156 of 594	73.7%	★★★★☆
2022	57.9	206 of 569	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.8	171 of 576	70.3%	★★★★☆
2019	62.6	156 of 574	72.8%	★★★★☆
2018	59.9	178 of 563	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	34.9	278 of 362	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	65.5	165 of 492	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	68.9	117 of 485	75.9%	★★★★☆
2013	75.7	93 of 475	80.4%	★★★★☆
2012	86.3	46 of 466	90.1%	★★★★★
2011	69.2	133 of 462	71.2%	★★★★☆
2010	55.4	187 of 435	57.0%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2019	58.7	92 of 293	68.6%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	71.7	115 of 546	78.9%	★★★★☆
2024	77.8	87 of 554	84.3%	★★★★☆
2023	67.8	148 of 560	73.6%	★★★★☆
2022	59.9	175 of 552	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.5	159 of 538	70.4%	★★★★☆
2019	59.8	170 of 529	67.9%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	49.7	139 of 302	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.8	116 of 286	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.5	119 of 285	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.1	80 of 285	71.9%	★★★★☆
2022	53.3	97 of 275	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	54.4	86 of 261	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	72.1	43 of 228	81.1%	★★★★☆
2018	42.0	121 of 219	44.7%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	65.6	122 of 478	74.5%	★★★★☆
2025	65.2	125 of 490	74.5%	★★★★☆
2024	79.8	46 of 510	91.0%	★★★★★
2023	62.7	127 of 514	75.3%	★★★★☆
2022	41.4	265 of 495	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	53.1	160 of 483	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.9	163 of 490	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	61.2	136 of 481	71.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2025	70.6	124 of 550	77.5%	★★★★☆
2024	56.6	209 of 560	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	62.7	168 of 557	69.8%	★★★★☆
2022	56.3	209 of 540	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.1	170 of 529	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	63.3	135 of 523	74.2%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2018	23.6	247 of 279	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Tennessee percentile	Rating
2026	71.1	110 of 494	77.7%	★★★★☆
2025	67.9	121 of 492	75.4%	★★★★☆
2024	63.2	153 of 504	69.6%	★★★★☆
2023	58.5	185 of 503	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.5	189 of 500	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.6	161 of 496	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	57.1	161 of 484	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.0	162 of 481	66.3%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Male (2025)64th percentile+4 vs school

Female (2025)55th percentile-5 vs school

White (2026)53rd percentile-3 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)49th percentile-11 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)36th percentile-20 vs school

Hispanic (2026)25th percentile-31 vs school

African American (2025)22nd percentile-37 vs school

Special Education (2026)14th percentile-42 vs school

Middle school

Female (2025)79th percentile~ school

White (2026)78th percentile~ school

Male (2025)77th percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)74th percentile-6 vs school

African American (2019)69th percentile-4 vs school

Hispanic (2026)54th percentile-26 vs school

Special Education (2018)11th percentile-57 vs school

By subject vs Tennessee (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies64%+12 vs state

English Language Arts46%+5 vs state

Science46%~ state avg

Mathematics45%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Dayton City Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				TNReady Mathematics (2026)							TNReady English Language Arts (2026)							TNReady Science (2026)							TNReady Social Studies (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2016)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	TNReady Mathematics 3rd Grade	TNReady Mathematics 4th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 5th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 6th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 7th Grade	TNReady Mathematics 8th Grade	TNReady Mathematics All Grades	TNReady English Language Arts 3rd Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 4th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 5th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 6th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 7th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts 8th Grade	TNReady English Language Arts All Grades	TNReady Science 3rd Grade	TNReady Science 4th Grade	TNReady Science 5th Grade	TNReady Science 6th Grade	TNReady Science 7th Grade	TNReady Science 8th Grade	TNReady Science All Grades	TNReady Social Studies 6th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 7th Grade	TNReady Social Studies 8th Grade	TNReady Social Studies All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Dayton City Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	520 Cherry Street	Dayton	37321	Rhea County	Dayton City School	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 775-8414	863	59	14.7	60.5%	653 (75.7%)	37 (4.3%)	129 (14.9%)	16 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (3.2%)	54.1	448^th of 1019 public elementary schools	56.0%		56.1	407^th of 1009 public elementary schools	59.7%	41	32.0	47.1	50.0	44.1	34.9	61.2	45.2	40.2	46.6	53.1	48.5	38.6	46.9	45.7	41.2	36.4	40.6	52.9	51.8	53.1	45.7	63.2	73.5	56.1	63.9	$12,532	$960	$10,527
Rhea Central Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1005 Delaware Avenue	Dayton	37321	Rhea County	Rhea County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 775-7842	613	54	11.4	80.7%	464 (75.7%)	6 (1.0%)	136 (22.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.1%)	49.2	502^nd of 1019 public elementary schools	50.7%		49.1	496^th of 1009 public elementary schools	50.8%	6	42.4	36.0	57.8				45.6	36.5	45.3	43.3				41.8	42.4	48.8	40.0				43.7					$15,863	$1,409	$13,397
Frazier Elementary School	Public	K-5	3900 Double S Road	Dayton	37321	Rhea County	Rhea County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 775-7854	322	23	14.0	62.1%	282 (87.6%)	3 (0.9%)	23 (7.1%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.7%)	69.5	256^th of 1019 public elementary schools	74.9%		64.2	313^th of 1009 public elementary schools	69.0%	57	78.6	58.9	38.9				57.2	52.4	57.1	42.6				50.7	50.0	62.5	59.3				57.9					$14,360	$834	$12,632
Graysville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	606 Long Street	Dayton	37321	Rhea County	Rhea County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 775-7850	215	19	11.3	77.8%	193 (89.8%)	3 (1.4%)	17 (7.9%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	45	563^rd of 1019 public elementary schools	44.7%		32.5	706^th of 1009 public elementary schools	30.0%	143	44.4	39.3	50.0				44.6	25.9	32.1	57.1				38.6	37.0	28.6	57.1				41.0					$16,203	$1,211	$13,739
Cecil B Rigsby Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8231 New Harmony Road	Pikeville	37367	Bledsoe County	Bledsoe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 447-2891	181	12	15.0	86.0%	143 (79.0%)	3 (1.7%)	34 (18.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	51.5	479^th of 1019 public elementary schools	53.0%		46.5	526^th of 1009 public elementary schools	47.9%	47	40.9	50.0	43.5				45.2	40.9	64.3	30.4				46.6	40.9	60.7	26.1				43.8					$16,382	$2,335	$12,283
Meigs South Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9638 State Highway 58 S	Decatur	37322	Meigs County	Meigs County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 334-5444	406	29	14.0	77.1%	375 (92.4%)	6 (1.5%)	14 (3.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.5%)	32.9	724^th of 1019 public elementary schools	28.9%		40.4	605^th of 1009 public elementary schools	40.0%	119	19.0	29.4	30.2				25.7	38.1	39.2	34.0				37.1	44.4	41.2	37.7				41.3					$12,760	$1,156	$10,819
North Hamilton County Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	601 Industrial Boulevard	Sale Creek	37373	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 332-8848	374	26	14.5	58.0%	333 (89.0%)	6 (1.6%)	20 (5.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.7%)	79.3	158^th of 1019 public elementary schools	84.5%		77.5	172^nd of 1009 public elementary schools	83.0%	14	46.9	64.5	62.3				57.9	52.3	62.3	65.2				60.0	50.8	66.1	73.9				63.8					$17,270	$873	$15,631
Pikeville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	41068 S R 30	Pikeville	37367	Bledsoe County	Bledsoe County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 447-2457	401	28	14.5	79.1%	371 (92.5%)	5 (1.2%)	19 (4.7%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	37	672^nd of 1019 public elementary schools	34.1%		54.6	424^th of 1009 public elementary schools	58.0%	248	17.6	40.4	40.4				32.9	35.3	42.3	30.8				36.1	31.4	48.1	48.1				42.6					$17,416	$2,986	$12,718
Meigs North Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	22015 State Highway 58 N	Decatur	37322	Meigs County	Meigs County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(423) 334-5454	446	31	14.2	77.7%	419 (93.9%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.6%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.8%)	43	594^th of 1019 public elementary schools	41.7%		53	450^th of 1009 public elementary schools	55.4%	144	40.0	43.1	27.7				37.2	24.3	51.4	33.8				36.7	40.0	58.3	41.5				46.9					$12,435	$1,377	$10,193
Soddy Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	260 School Street	Soddy Daisy	37379	Hamilton County	Hamilton County Schools	No	No	No	No	(423) 332-8823	496	32	15.5	58.5%	452 (91.1%)	3 (0.6%)	16 (3.2%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.4%)	70.9	241^st of 1019 public elementary schools	76.3%		75	194^th of 1009 public elementary schools	80.8%	47	43.6	41.8	72.4				54.8	47.3	52.7	57.9				53.2	48.1	63.6	63.0				58.8					$18,425	$911	$16,805

Frequently Asked Questions about Dayton City Elementary School

How many students attend Dayton City Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 891 students attended Dayton City Elementary School.

Is Dayton City Elementary School a good school?

Dayton City Elementary School ranks 448^th of 1019 Tennessee elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Dayton City Elementary School?

Students at Dayton City Elementary School are 75% White, 15% Hispanic, 4% African American, 4% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What district is Dayton City Elementary School in?

Dayton City School

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Latest Tennessee data All new data »

2025–26 TNReady test scoresAug 25, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesApr 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataFeb 27, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataDec 18, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.