High Schools in Dayton School District

The Dayton School District in rural Washington operates two small high schools—Dayton High School and the Dayton School District Alternative Program—serving a combined 101 students in grades 9-12, both located at the same campus.

Dayton High School is a standout for its strong and rapidly improving academic performance, exceeding state averages in English, math, and science, and achieving a 75% graduation rate. Its dramatic rise in statewide ranking over the past year is notable. With only 88 students, the school offers a very low student-teacher ratio of 8.9-to-1. In contrast, the much smaller Dayton School District Alternative Program serves 13 students with a higher rate of economic need but reportedly receives significantly less funding per student.

For parents, the traditional Dayton High School demonstrates effective academic outcomes within a small, supportive environment. The large difference in per-student spending between the two schools and the lack of publicly reported performance data for the alternative program are important factors for the district to consider. The overall district graduation rate is lower than the high school's rate, suggesting challenges elsewhere in the system that may not reflect the experience at the main high school.