Average
#6204 of 9,533 schools in CA
Clay Elementary
Elementary School · Clay Joint Elementary
12449 South Smith Ave., Kingsburg, CA 93631
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
26.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
26.7:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kingsburg
#5 of 11
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,706 of 5,817
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Clay Elementary
Clay Elementary serves 240 students in grades K-8 in Kingsburg, California, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger academic performers. The school ranks #1472 out of 9,566 California schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide with an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. Students at Clay Elementary demonstrate solid academic achievement, with 74% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 72% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
These strong results reflect the dedication of the school's 9 full-time equivalent teachers, though the student-teacher ratio of 26.7:1 means larger class sizes than some families might prefer. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $74,718 and home values average $352,500. With a relatively low poverty rate of 8.8%, many families in the area can provide additional educational support at home, contributing to the school's academic success.
Clay Elementary operates in a rural setting near the town of Kingsburg in Fresno County, offering students a small-town educational experience while maintaining high academic standards. The school's K-8 structure allows younger and older students to learn together in a close-knit community environment that characterizes this agricultural region of California's Central Valley.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Clay Elementary is 26.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Clay Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Clay Elementary — Students at Clay Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.3/10.
How Clay Elementary Compares
See how Clay Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 71.18% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 73.53% (2024).
Location
12449 South Smith Ave., Kingsburg, CA 93631
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Clay Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Washington Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Reedley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lincoln Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, S Ben Benavidez Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Parlier), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kingsburg, see our Kingsburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kings River Elementary Kingsburg | 2.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Oasis Continuation High Kingsburg | 3.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Kingsburg Independent Study High Kingsburg | 3.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Kingsburg High Kingsburg | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Cesar E Chavez Elementary Parlier | 3.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Immanuel Schools Reedley | 3.4 mi | — |
| Rafer Johnson Junior High Kingsburg | 3.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Riverview Elementary Parlier | 3.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary Kingsburg | 3.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Washington Elementary Kingsburg | 3.8 mi | 5.1 |
| IMAGINARIUM LEARNING CENTER THE Kingsburg | 3.8 mi | — |
| S Ben Benavidez Elementary Parlier | 4.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Washington Elementary Reedley | 3.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Parlier High Parlier | 4.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Mathew J Brletic Elementary Parlier | 4.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Parlier Junior High Parlier | 4.3 mi | 7.3 |
| San Joaquin Valley High Parlier | 4.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Reedley High Reedley | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Kingsburg | 4.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Central Valley Home Kingsburg | 4.1 mi | 2.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93631 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,226
Median Home Value
$379,600
Median Rent
$1,117/mo
Population
16,656
College Educated
21.5%
Homeownership
70.2%
Avg Commute
22.2 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
40.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Clay Elementary has a median household income of $81,226. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $379,600, with a median rent of $1,117/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Albert Baxter Elementary Bellflower, CA | 5.7 |
| Bracher Elementary Santa Clara, CA | 5.7 |
| COASTLINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Alameda, CA | 5.7 |
| Creekside Early Learning Center Alpine, CA | 5.7 |
| Dehesa Elementary El Cajon, CA | 5.7 |
| Finley Elementary Westminster, CA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Clay Elementary
What grades does Clay Elementary serve?
Clay Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Clay Elementary?
Clay Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Clay Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Clay Elementary is 26.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Clay Elementary rank in CA?
Clay Elementary is ranked #6204 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Clay Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Clay Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Clay Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clay Elementary has 72.8% math proficiency and 75.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Clay Elementary a charter school?
No, Clay Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Clay Elementary a Title I school?
No, Clay Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clay Elementary?
20.0% of students at Clay Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,498/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kingsburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 240
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Fresno County
- Phone
- (559) 897-4185
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clay Joint Elementary- District Enrollment
- 240
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,979
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.