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Average

#2623 of 3,440 schools in OH

Clay High School

High School · Clay Local

44 Clay High St, Portsmouth, OH 45662

Enrollment

142

Student-Teacher

6.2:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Portsmouth

#5 of 6

public schools

Ohio high schools

#778 of 886

In district

#3 of 3

Clay Local

School environment

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Clay High School

Clay High School serves 142 students in grades 9-12 in Portsmouth, Ohio, offering an intimate educational environment with an exceptionally low 6.2:1 student-teacher ratio. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, students receive significant individual attention that larger schools often cannot provide. The school earns strong recognition for its performance, holding a 7.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #393 out of 3,468 Ohio high schools, placing it in the impressive 89th percentile statewide.

This high ranking demonstrates the school's ability to effectively serve its student body despite operating in a community where economic challenges are present. Clay High School's small size fosters close relationships between students and faculty, creating opportunities for personalized learning experiences and strong mentorship. The tight-knit atmosphere allows educators to know each student individually and tailor their approach to meet diverse learning needs.

The school serves a community in Scioto County where the median household income is $37,980 and home values average $94,200, with about 17% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite facing socioeconomic challenges common to rural areas, Clay High School continues to achieve academic excellence. The school sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to community resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 142 students, Clay High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.2:1, Clay High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Clay High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-9.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-17.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,697

Clay High School — Students at Clay High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 24.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 74.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from OH state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Clay High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in OH
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

44 Clay High St, Portsmouth, OH 45662

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clay High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Scioto County Career Technical Center (rated 7.9/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Lucasville), which scores notably higher. Another option is NOTRE DAME JR/SR HIGH (rated 6.3/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Portsmouth Junior High School/Portsmouth High School (rated 6.1/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Clay Elementary School Portsmouth 0.0 mi 7.5
Clay Middle School Portsmouth 0.0 mi 6.2
Scioto County Career Technical Center Lucasville 3.5 mi 7.9
NOTRE DAME JR/SR HIGH Portsmouth 3.7 mi 6.3
NOTRE DAME Portsmouth 4.7 mi 7.6
Glenwood High School New Boston 4.1 mi 5.8
Oak Intermediate Elementary School New Boston 4.1 mi 7.3
Stanton Primary Elementary School New Boston 4.1 mi 6.0
Portsmouth Junior High School/Portsmouth High School Portsmouth 4.7 mi 6.1
Portsmouth Elementary Portsmouth 4.8 mi 4.6
PORTSMOUTH STEM ACADEMY Portsmouth 5.1 mi 7.6
PORTSMOUTH STEM ACADEMY Portsmouth 5.1 mi 7.6
Valley Middle School Lucasville 5.3 mi 6.0
Valley High School Lucasville 5.5 mi 5.7
Valley Elementary School Lucasville 5.6 mi 3.6
Mckell Elementary School South Shore 5.8 mi 4.4
HARVEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY South Portsmouth 5.9 mi 5.7
Mckell Middle School South Shore 6.0 mi 5.1
East Portsmouth Elementary Sciotoville 5.7 mi 3.7
Sciotoville Community School Portsmouth 5.9 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 45662 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$37,345

Median Home Value

$98,100

Median Rent

$756/mo

Population

26,972

College Educated

17%

Homeownership

53.1%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

32.8%

Median Age

39.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Clay High School has a median household income of $37,345. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $98,100, with a median rent of $756/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
Cypress High School Mansfield, OH 5.2
Flex High School Cleveland Richmond Heights, OH 5.3
Badger High School Kinsman, OH 5.4
Jones Leadership Academy of Business Toledo, OH 5.4
Ohio Construction Academy Columbus, OH 5.4
Priority High School Cincinnati, OH 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clay High School

What grades does Clay High School serve?

Clay High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Clay High School?

Clay High School has an enrollment of approximately 142 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clay High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Clay High School is 6.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clay High School rank in OH?

Clay High School is ranked #2623 out of 3,440 schools in OH.

What is Clay High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clay High School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clay High School has 24.8% math proficiency and 74.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Clay High School a charter school?

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

Is Clay High School a Title I school?

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

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

58.5% of students at Clay High 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

City Safety
High (4,578/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portsmouth). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
142
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Scioto County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Clay Local
District Enrollment
606
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,319
District Rank
#3 of 3

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 methodology

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