DAYTON — Test performance of students in most charter schools was slightly better than that of their school district counterparts last year.

A larger percentage of the district's schools were rated in "academic emergency," the lowest of five state rating categories, school-by-school data from last week's Ohio report card release showed. And overall, charters were more likely to be rated in the top three categories.

The best performing district schools were charter-like experimental schools begun in recent years.

The top scoring elementary school in the city was the Charity Adams Earley Academy, a girls-only school launched by the district two years ago. A boys school begun last year ranked third best in the city.

"When you get people invested in the school and they take ownership, you are more apt to see results," said Terry Ryan, vice president of the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, which sponsors charter schools in Dayton.

Among high schools, the city's top rated was the Dayton Early College Academy, a joint venture of the district and the University of Dayton, followed by Stivers School for the Arts.

Across the board, results for both categories of schools were similar.

Dayton school Superintendent Percy Mack said the district's goal for DECA and the single-gender schools was to create better options for kids than they had before.

"Our focus was not to just make something different, but also to develop a model based on what would bring forth the best academic achievement," he said.