Dayton, Kentucky is one of five urban city schools along the Ohio River in Kentucky across from Cincinnati. The school district has a population of 927 students (Preschool thru 12th grade), which is about 350 less than the population in 1996. While small and dwindling in number, there is a sense of local pride and support from the outside community. Dayton Middle/High School is a 7 - 12 building with roughly 325 students. Lincoln Elementary School is a preschool through 6th grade building with approximately 602 students. Dayton is a very close knit community where many generations of the same families have attended Dayton Schools. Both Schools in Dayton are Title I schools with a Youth Service Center located at the high school and the Family Youth Resource Center located at the elementary school. Our faculty at the high school is comprised of 28 certified teachers, 3 guidance counselors, 2 administrators, and 6 classified staff members. Our faculty at the elementary school is comprised of 32 teachers, 2 guidance counselors, 2 administrators and 6 classified staff members. Our student to teacher ratio is approximately 20 to 1. The teachers, students, and community of Dayton Independent Schools have deep roots in Northern Kentucky and a proud tradition in acadamics, arts, and athletics. The school community takes pride and careful consideration when working with the students in this district. As a small community, everyone knows everyone, and looks out for one another. In many instances children in this district have had both parents and grandparents attend Dayton Independent Schools. In fact it is not completely unusual for students' great grandparents to have attended Dayton Independent Schools. Teachers understand the pride this school has in its deep-seated traditions and customs, and enjoy working in a school system of over 100 years of tradition. The staff of Dayton School District in partnership with the parents and community, guide all students in a safe and stimulating environment to develop realistic visions and goals. Their goal is to enable students to become healthy, productive, and contributing global citizens. The district engaged its stakeholders in after school meetings with community members including parents, business owners, students, and teachers to create the mission statement. Teachers and administrators believe that all students in Dayton Independent Schools are capable of reaching college readiness and career readiness. Students at Dayton are encouraged to do their best no matter what barriers they may have or adversity that is in their way. Opportunities for achievement are provided on a nearly daily basis. The district has been proactive in securing grants to provide additional staff support and programing for students. One grant that has been funded is our professional school counselor grant that has resulted in two full-time school counselors at Dayton High/Middle School and one "4 day a week" school counselor at Lincoln Elementary. Additionally, the high/middle school has been awarded a $75,000 21st Century Grant in collaboration with our local YMCA Youth Center for after school tutoring, programming, and activities. Currently the 21st Century coordinator is being housed in the high/middle school to provide complete collaboration between the YMCA and our school. Teachers and administrators received 5 mini-grants for summer reading, arts programs, and various other items. One of the programs that was funded is helping the school district build a Microsoft Certification program to assist students for college and career readiness. The district also received the "Fit for Life Grant" to provide all students with nutrition and physical education. The arts and career preparation continue to be areas of emphasis in the district. The district is moving forward in many ways. In the summer of 2012 large groups of volunteers turned out to renovate the football stadium and clean up around the elementary school. Teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members showed up to support these events. There have been numerous parent/community events such as Student Led Conferences, Big Box of Books Events, Family Fun Nights and the latest addition of a Bornlearning Academy. They have started work to improve overall communication in the district by improving the webpage, starting a district page, conducting several surveys, and establishing Student Advisory Teams, Staff Advisory Teams, and Community Advisory Teams. Dayton Schools have also made a concentrated effort to increase communication via articles in the monthly Dayton Community News. They have also expanded relationships with Northern Kentucky University and Gateway College to improve opportunities for students post high school.
