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Needs Improvement

#1267 of 1,284 schools in KY

Clay City Elementary School

Elementary School · Powell County

4901 Main Street, Clay City, KY 40312

Enrollment

452

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#1,267 of 1,284

In district

#6 of 6

Powell County

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Clay City Elementary School

2.9/10

Elementary School in Clay City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Powell County Middle School

3.3/10

3.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Powell County High School

4.5/10

3.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Clay City Elementary School

Clay City Elementary School is a public elementary school in Clay City, KY, part of Powell County. Clay City Elementary School serves approximately 452 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Clay City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,267 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Clay City Elementary School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.9
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Clay City Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

49% of students at Clay City Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.87 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency31% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,085
Chronic Absenteeism48.5%

Clay City Elementary School — Students at Clay City Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 34 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
76%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
41%
2012
Math
39%
ELA
48%
2013
Math
43%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
16%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
16%
ELA
25%
2025
Math
32%
ELA
30%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Clay City Elementary School Compares

See how Clay City Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
1th percentile in KY
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4901 Main Street, Clay City, KY 40312

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clay City Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mapleton Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Mt. Sterling), which scores notably higher. Another option is Estill Springs Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Irvine), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mount Sterling Elementary School (rated 5.5/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Mt. Sterling), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clay City, see our Clay City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Powell County Middle School Stanton 3.1 mi 3.3
Powell County High School Stanton 3.1 mi 4.5
Powell County Academy Stanton 3.6 mi 4.5
Stanton Elementary School Stanton 3.6 mi 3.8
CHRISTIAN TRADITIONAL SCHOOL Mount Sterling 9.3 mi 5.1
Camargo Elementary School Mt. Sterling 9.4 mi 4.4
Estill County Middle School Irvine 9.3 mi 5.6
Estill County High School Irvine 9.4 mi 6.7
Bowen Elementary School Stanton 8.1 mi 5.0
Estill Springs Elementary Irvine 10.9 mi 5.9
Estill County Success Academy Irvine 11.4 mi 4.1
West Irvine Elementary Irvine 11.7 mi 4.2
McNabb Middle School Mt. Sterling 12.4 mi 6.3
MT STERLING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Sterling 12.5 mi
Montgomery County High School Mt. Sterling 12.5 mi 6.1
The Sterling School Mt. Sterling 12.6 mi 6.1
South Irvine Early Learning Center Irvine 12.7 mi 5.2
Gateway Children's Services Mt. Sterling 13.4 mi
Mount Sterling Elementary School Mt. Sterling 13.7 mi 5.5
Mapleton Elementary School Mt. Sterling 13.8 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$38,081

Median Home Value

$148,300

Median Rent

$710/mo

Population

6,156

College Educated

14.6%

Homeownership

66.2%

Avg Commute

33.1 min

Poverty Rate

22.9%

Median Age

39.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Dr. William H. Perry Elementary School Louisville, KY 2.8
Indian Trail Elementary Louisville, KY 3.0
Muhlenberg South Elementary Beechmont, KY 3.0
New Castle Elementary School New Castle, KY 3.0
Roby Elementary School Shepherdsville, KY 3.0
Kennedy Elementary Louisville, KY 2.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clay City Elementary School

What grades does Clay City Elementary School serve?

Clay City Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Clay City Elementary School?

Clay City Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 452 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clay City Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Clay City Elementary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clay City Elementary School rank in KY?

Clay City Elementary School ranks #1,267 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Clay City Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clay City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Clay City Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Clay City Elementary School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Clay City Elementary School a charter school?

No, Clay City Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Clay City Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Clay City Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clay City Elementary School?

76.1% of students at Clay City Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
452
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Powell County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.5%

District

Powell County
District Enrollment
2,087
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,085
District Rank
#6 of 6

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