Best Schools in Clayton, Missouri
8 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Clayton?
Use this page to compare every school in Clayton 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.
Clayton High
High · Clayton. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Meramec Elem.
Elementary · Clayton. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ralph M. Captain Elem.
Elementary · Clayton. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Clayton for 2026 are Clayton High (9.1/10), Meramec Elem. (8.9/10), and Ralph M. Captain Elem. (8.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$735,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.7
out of 10
Median Home
$735,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Clayton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clayton High | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Meramec Elem. | 8.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Ralph M. Captain Elem. | 8.7 / 10 |
| 4 | The Wilson School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Wydown Middle | 7.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Our Lady of Lourdes School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Glenridge Elem. | 6.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Juvenile Detention Ctr. | 5.5 / 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
- 7.7/10
- Median household income
- $119,446
- Median home value
- $735,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 85%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 56%
75% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Clayton compares
Missouri rank
#14 of 258
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.4
above Missouri avg (6.3)
Median household income
$119k
182% of Missouri median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Clayton, Missouri
Clayton, Missouri is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.7 out of 10, schools in Clayton 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 Clayton is Clayton High with a composite score of 9.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Clayton is served by 2 school districts: CLAYTON, SPECL. SCH. DST. ST. LOUIS CO.. These districts collectively serve 6,986 students.
Clayton's community shows 85% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $119,446. The poverty rate in the area is 9.4%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 393 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 | ||
| 2 | 287 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 | ||
| 3 | 318 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Wilson School
Private
137 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | Our Lady of Lourdes School
Private
233 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.5 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 574 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 844 students · 9th–12th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 38 students · 6th–12th | 5.5 |
Schools in Clayton
Clayton, Missouri · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$119,446
Median Home Value
$735,500
Median Rent
$1,520/mo
Population
18,860
College Educated
85%
Homeownership
56%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Community Profile
Clayton has a median household income of $119,446. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $735,500, with a median rent of $1,520/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Missouri
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Missouri
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 Clayton, Missouri
How many schools are in Clayton, Missouri?
Clayton has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clayton, Missouri?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clayton is 7.7 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 Clayton, Missouri?
The top-ranked school in Clayton on MySchoolScout is Clayton High with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clayton, Missouri?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clayton on MySchoolScout is Meramec Elem. with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Clayton, Missouri?
The top-ranked middle school in Clayton on MySchoolScout is Wydown Middle with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Clayton, Missouri?
The top-ranked high school in Clayton on MySchoolScout is Clayton High with a composite score of 9.1/10.
How many school districts serve Clayton, Missouri?
Clayton is served by 2 school districts: Clayton, Specl. Sch. Dst. St. Louis Co..
What is the education level in Clayton, Missouri?
According to Census data, 85% of adults in Clayton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Clayton, Missouri?
The median household income in Clayton is approximately $119,446 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Clayton, Missouri?
Yes, Clayton has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Wilson School with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clayton, Missouri?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clayton is 8.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clayton, Missouri?
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, Missouri Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.