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Very Good

#237 of 863 schools in MS

Top 27% in state

Clara Elementary School

Elementary School · WAYNE CO SCHOOL DIST

P. O. Box 90, Clara, MS 39324

Enrollment

454

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#237 of 863

In district

#1 of 6

WAYNE CO SCHOOL DIST

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Clara Elementary School

7.5/10

Elementary School in Clara · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Waynesboro Riverview Ele School

4.5/10

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

Wayne Central Elementary School

4.5/10

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

About Clara Elementary School

Clara Elementary School is a public elementary school in Clara, MS, part of WAYNE CO SCHOOL DIST. Clara Elementary School serves approximately 454 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Clara Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #237 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Clara Elementary School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.8
  • MS avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Clara 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.1% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.9% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg+9.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected+19.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,582
Chronic Absenteeism8.4%

Clara Elementary School — Students at Clara Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 50.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.2% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 42 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
68%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
64%
ELA
58%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
65%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
38%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
54%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
63.1%
ELA
54.9%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Clara Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
73th percentile in MS
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
6.3/10
Average
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.4%

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

P. O. Box 90, Clara, MS 39324

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clara Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LAUREL MAGNET SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (rated 9.5/10, 26.9 miles away, in nearby Laurel), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chatom Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 26.5 miles away, in nearby Chatom), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, GLADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 24.7 miles away, in nearby Laurel), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clara, see our Clara schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.9 mi
School Distance Rating
WAYNESBORO RIVERVIEW ELE SCHOOL Waynesboro 6.3 mi 4.5
WAYNE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Waynesboro 7.7 mi 4.5
WAYNE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Waynesboro 8.3 mi 5.9
BEAT FOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Waynesboro 10.3 mi 5.3
BUCKATUNNA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Buckatunna 10.4 mi 7.2
SAND HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richton 16.5 mi 7.3
RICHTON HIGH SCHOOL Richton 21.6 mi 6.7
RICHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richton 21.6 mi 5.7
EAST JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 22.3 mi 7.2
Fruitdale High School Fruitdale 23.6 mi 8.4
NORTHEAST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel 22.4 mi 6.0
Millry High School Millry 22.7 mi 7.6
GLADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 24.7 mi 7.6
HEIDELBERG HIGH SCHOOL Heidelberg 27.8 mi 7.9
HEIDELBERG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Heidelberg 27.8 mi 5.9
Chatom Elementary School Chatom 26.5 mi 8.4
LEAKESVILLE JR HIGH SCHOOL Leakesville 30.4 mi 5.8
GREENE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Leakesville 30.9 mi 7.7
ST JOHNS DAY SCHOOL Laurel 26.9 mi 6.7
LAUREL MAGNET SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Laurel 26.9 mi 9.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39324 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Population

0

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
D T COX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pontotoc, MS 7.5
EUPORA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eupora, MS 7.5
HOUSTON LOWER ELEMENTARY Houston, MS 7.5
LAWNDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tupelo, MS 7.5
LEFLORE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Itta Bena, MS 7.5
NORTH JACKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clara Elementary School

What grades does Clara Elementary School serve?

Clara Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Clara Elementary School?

Clara Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 454 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clara Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Clara Elementary School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clara Elementary School rank in MS?

Clara Elementary School ranks #237 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Clara Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clara Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Clara Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Clara Elementary School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Clara Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Clara Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Clara 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Wayne County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.4%

District

WAYNE CO SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
2,977
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,582
District Rank
#1 of 6

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