Best Schools in Clayton, New Jersey
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 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 Middle School
Middle · Clayton Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Herma S. Simmons Elementary School
Elementary · Clayton Public School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St Michael the Archangel Regional School
Elementary. 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 Middle School (7.6/10), Herma S. Simmons Elementary School (5.2/10), and St Michael the Archangel Regional School (4.3/10), 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
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$248,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$248,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Clayton
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 | Clayton Middle School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Herma S. Simmons Elementary School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 3 | St Michael the Archangel Regional School | 4.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Clayton High School | 4.2 / 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
- 5.3/10
- Median household income
- $88,448
- Median home value
- $248,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 33 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
25% 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
New Jersey rank
#315 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.0
below New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$88k
75% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Clayton, New Jersey
Clayton, New Jersey is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Clayton show moderate performance 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 Middle School with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Clayton is served by 1 school district: Clayton Public School District. These districts collectively serve 1,515 students.
Clayton's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $88,448. The poverty rate in the area is 7.4%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 685 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.2 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 194 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.3 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 328 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 464 students · 9th–12th | 4.2 |
Schools in Clayton
Clayton, New Jersey · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$88,448
Median Home Value
$248,000
Median Rent
$1,204/mo
Population
8,395
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Community Profile
Clayton has a median household income of $88,448. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,000, with a median rent of $1,204/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Jersey
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New Jersey
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, New Jersey
How many schools are in Clayton, New Jersey?
Clayton has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clayton, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clayton is 5.3 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, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in Clayton on MySchoolScout is Clayton Middle School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clayton, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clayton on MySchoolScout is Herma S. Simmons Elementary School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Clayton, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in Clayton on MySchoolScout is Clayton Middle School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Clayton, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in Clayton on MySchoolScout is Clayton High School with a composite score of 4.2/10.
How many school districts serve Clayton, New Jersey?
Clayton is served by 1 school district: Clayton Public School District.
What is the education level in Clayton, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Clayton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Clayton, New Jersey?
The median household income in Clayton is approximately $88,448 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Clayton, New Jersey?
Yes, Clayton has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Michael the Archangel Regional School with a score of 4.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clayton, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clayton is 12.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clayton, New Jersey?
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, New Jersey Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.