Below Average
#1086 of 1,280 schools in IA
Clay Elementary
Elementary School · Southeast Polk Comm School District
3200 First Avenue S., Altoona, IA 50009
Enrollment
670
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
670
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Altoona
#3 of 4
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#564 of 662
In district
#9 of 11
Southeast Polk Comm School District
Equity
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Clay Elementary
Clay Elementary is a regular public school located in Altoona, Iowa, within Polk County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 670 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1, Clay Elementary ensures that each child receives individual attention and support.
Clay Elementary stands out for its balanced academic performance. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school scores a 6.3 out of 10 overall, with an academic score of 8.1/10, placing it in the 67th percentile among Iowa schools. Specifically, 73% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 74% achieve proficiency or higher in Math.
In Science, 66% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards. Clay Elementary is situated in a large suburban area that offers a community-rich environment for its young learners. With its strong academic focus and supportive educational setting, Clay Elementary provides a solid foundation for students as they progress through their elementary years.
Score Breakdown
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Clay Elementary — Students at Clay Elementary score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 3.3/10.
How Clay Elementary Compares
See how Clay Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 80% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 75% (2019) to 78% (2022).
Location
3200 First Avenue S., Altoona, IA 50009
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Clay Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Altoona Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Centennial Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Anderson Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Bondurant), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Altoona, see our Altoona schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Centennial Elementary Altoona | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Altoona Elementary Altoona | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Southeast Polk High School Pleasant Hill | 2.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Willowbrook Elementary Altoona | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Spring Creek - 6th Grade Pleasant Hill | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Southeast Polk Junior High Pleasant Hill | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Four Mile Elementary Pleasant Hill | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Delaware Elementary Des Moines | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary School Des Moines | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Hoyt Middle School Des Moines | 3.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines | 3.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Morris Elementary Bondurant | 5.0 mi | 5.3 |
| McKee Elementary School Des Moines | 3.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Anderson Elementary School Bondurant | 5.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant | 5.2 mi | 5.4 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Moines | 4.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Stowe Elementary School Des Moines | 4.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Bondurant-Farrar High School Bondurant | 6.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Bondurant-Farrar Junior High Bondurant | 6.3 mi | 6.5 |
| GRAND VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Des Moines | 5.0 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50009 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,393
Median Home Value
$261,800
Median Rent
$1,201/mo
Population
21,992
College Educated
33.2%
Homeownership
70.3%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
36.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Clay Elementary has a median household income of $90,393. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,800, with a median rent of $1,201/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Brubaker Elementary School Des Moines, IA | 4.9 |
| Buford Garner Elementary North Liberty, IA | 4.9 |
| Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee, IA | 4.9 |
| Morningside Elementary Sioux City, IA | 4.9 |
| Northeast Elementary Ankeny, IA | 4.9 |
| Unity Elementary School Sioux City, IA | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Clay Elementary
What grades does Clay Elementary serve?
Clay Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Clay Elementary?
Clay Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 670 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Clay Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Clay Elementary is 16.8:1. 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 IA?
Clay Elementary is ranked #1086 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Clay Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Clay Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 73.6% math proficiency and 72.9% 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?
33.6% 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,154/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Altoona). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 670
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (515) 967-4198
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Southeast Polk Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 7,424
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,583
- District Rank
- #9 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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
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