Best Schools in Clay Center, Kansas
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Clay Center?
Use this page to compare every school in Clay Center by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lincoln Elem
Elementary · Clay County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Garfield Elem
Elementary · Clay County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Clay Center Community High
High · Clay County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Clay Center for 2026 are Lincoln Elem (8.8/10), Garfield Elem (8.0/10), and Clay Center Community High (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$146,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$146,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Clay Center
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln Elem | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Garfield Elem | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Clay Center Community High | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Clay Center Community Middle | 5.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $65,072
- Median home value
- $146,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
75% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Clay Center compares
Kansas rank
#11 of 140
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above Kansas avg (6.4)
Median household income
$65k
91% of Kansas median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Clay Center, Kansas
Clay Center, Kansas is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.5 out of 10, schools in Clay Center perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Clay Center is Lincoln Elem with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Clay Center is served by 1 school district: Clay County. These districts collectively serve 1,334 students.
Clay Center's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $65,072. The poverty rate in the area is 11.5%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 384 students · Pre-K–3rd | 8.8 |
| 2 | 146 students · 4th–5th | 8.0 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 241 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 343 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
Schools in Clay Center
Clay Center, Kansas · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$65,072
Median Home Value
$146,900
Median Rent
$949/mo
Population
5,536
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Community Profile
Clay Center has a median household income of $65,072. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,900, with a median rent of $949/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Kansas
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Kansas
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Clay Center, Kansas
How many schools are in Clay Center, Kansas?
Clay Center has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clay Center, Kansas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clay Center is 7.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Clay Center, Kansas?
The top-ranked school in Clay Center on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Elem with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clay Center, Kansas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clay Center on MySchoolScout is Lincoln Elem with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Clay Center, Kansas?
The top-ranked middle school in Clay Center on MySchoolScout is Clay Center Community Middle with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best high school in Clay Center, Kansas?
The top-ranked high school in Clay Center on MySchoolScout is Clay Center Community High with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Clay Center, Kansas?
Clay Center is served by 1 school district: Clay County.
What is the education level in Clay Center, Kansas?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Clay Center have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Clay Center, Kansas?
The median household income in Clay Center is approximately $65,072 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clay Center, Kansas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clay Center is 13.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clay Center, Kansas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Kansas Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.