The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Math. The lowest is 27% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Graysville Elementary School
Graysville Elementary School sits within the Rhea County school system, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school is located in Dayton, Tennessee, a small county seat that blends manufacturing, a Christian liberal arts college, and a recreational fishing economy along Chickamauga Lake. The area has seen industrial growth in recent years with new facility openings, and housing costs remain below the state average, a factor that may appeal to families seeking affordability. The school itself is a regular public school with an enrollment that is predominantly white, and it draws from a mix of rural and small-town households in the Graysville community near Dayton.
On state assessments, the school’s results present a mixed picture. In math, about two-fifths of tested students scored at a proficient level or above. In English language arts, the share was lower, and in science, it fell in between. When compared relative to districts in Rhea County, Graysville’s overall proficiency across these subjects places it in the bottom quartile. The cohort includes only two districts, so the gap is notable: the district average proficiency is higher, meaning families may want to ask the school what steps are being taken to raise achievement, particularly in reading and science. Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to consider, and chronic absenteeism data was not reported.
The school offers a standard early childhood through fifth-grade program. No information was provided about advanced offerings, specialized programs, or after-school activities. The absence of such data does not mean they do not exist, but a parent looking for a particular pathway—such as a strong arts focus or early language immersion—would need to contact the school directly. Similarly, data on free or reduced-price meal eligibility, special education services, and English learner populations were not available in this profile, so the level of economic diversity and support staffing is not possible to characterize from this information.
Dayton’s character is shaped by a mix of blue-collar employment, a college campus, and outdoor recreation. The civic core is compact and car-oriented, with the historic Rhea County Courthouse downtown and Chattanooga State Community College maintaining a site there. K-12 campuses are spread across the area, with Graysville Elementary operating under the county system. The town’s population has grown modestly, and new industrial employers have added jobs, which may influence enrollment trends and community stability over time.
For a family choosing among elementary schools in the Rhea County area, Graysville offers a small-school setting in a low-cost community. The academic results, however, are weaker than those of the county’s other district, and a parent would want to investigate how the school supports students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks. The school’s full participation on testing days and its consistent grade structure suggest a stable environment, but the achievement gap relative to county peers is a point that warrants a conversation with the principal or a visit to see classroom instruction firsthand.
See more original research from School Decision →