Best Schools in Clay, West Virginia
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Clay?
Use this page to compare every school in Clay 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.
Clay Middle School
Middle · Clay County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Clay County High School
High · Clay County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Clay Elementary School
Elementary · Clay County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Clay for 2026 are Clay Middle School (6.2/10), Clay County High School (6.2/10), and Clay Elementary School (4.6/10), 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
5.4
out of 10
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Clay
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 | Clay Middle School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Clay County High School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Clay Elementary School | 4.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Clay Christian Academy | 4.6 / 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
- 5.4/10
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 53%
0% of schools rated 7+
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Clay compares
West Virginia rank
#54 of 66
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below West Virginia avg (6.3)
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Clay, West Virginia
Clay, West Virginia is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Clay 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 Clay is Clay Middle School with a composite score of 6.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Clay is served by 1 school district: CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS. These districts collectively serve 1,530 students.
Clay's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment. The poverty rate in the area is 50.8%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 361 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.6 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 344 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 534 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Christian Academy
Private
30 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.6 |
Schools in Clay
Clay, West Virginia · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Rent
$667/mo
Population
1,446
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
53%
Poverty Rate
50.8%
Community Profile
It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 50.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- West Virginia
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in West Virginia
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, West Virginia
How many schools are in Clay, West Virginia?
Clay has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clay, West Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clay is 5.4 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, West Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Clay on MySchoolScout is Clay Middle School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clay, West Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clay on MySchoolScout is Clay Elementary School with a composite score of 4.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Clay, West Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Clay on MySchoolScout is Clay Middle School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best high school in Clay, West Virginia?
The top-ranked high school in Clay on MySchoolScout is Clay County High School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Clay, West Virginia?
Clay is served by 1 school district: Clay County Schools.
What is the education level in Clay, West Virginia?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Clay have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
Are there private schools in Clay, West Virginia?
Yes, Clay has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Clay Christian Academy with a score of 4.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clay, West Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clay is 12.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clay, West Virginia?
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, West Virginia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.