Skip to main content

Average

#1788 of 3,440 schools in OH

Clay Middle School

Middle School · Clay Local

44 Clay High St, Portsmouth, OH 45662

Enrollment

148

Student-Teacher

7:1

Score

6.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Portsmouth

#3 of 6

public schools

Ohio middle schools

#389 of 650

In district

#2 of 3

Clay Local

School environment

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Clay Middle School

Clay Middle School in Portsmouth, Ohio, serves students in grades six through eight with a student body of 148. The school prides itself on its low student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention and support. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, Clay Middle offers a nurturing environment where students can thrive.

Academically, the school has room for improvement according to MySchoolScout’s rating system, with an overall score of 5.3 out of 10. In state rankings, it stands at number 1808 out of 3468 schools in Ohio, placing it around the 48th percentile. Students perform slightly above average in ELA and reading (54% proficiency), while math scores are closer to the middle at 44%.

Clay Middle School is situated in a rural area near the town of Portsmouth, providing a quiet setting for students to focus on their education. The school community works hard to support its students' development and growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 148 students, Clay Middle 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.

While current test scores at Clay Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, Clay Middle 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-23.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,697

Clay Middle School — Students at Clay Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
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
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Clay Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in OH
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

44 Clay High St, Portsmouth, OH 45662

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clay Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Oak Intermediate Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby New Boston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valley Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Lucasville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mckell Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby South Shore), a more accessible option. For more schools in Portsmouth, see our Portsmouth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Clay High School Portsmouth 0.0 mi 5.2
Clay Elementary School Portsmouth 0.0 mi 7.5
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 Middle 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
Madison-Plains Junior High London, OH 6.3
Jackson-Milton Middle School North Jackson, OH 6.1
Felicity-Franklin Local Middle School Felicity, OH 6.5
Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Junior High School Ripley, OH 6.5
Midnimo Cross Cultural Middle School Columbus, OH 6.6
Shiloh Middle School Plymouth, OH 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clay Middle School

What grades does Clay Middle School serve?

Clay Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Clay Middle School?

Clay Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 148 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Clay Middle School is 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 Middle School rank in OH?

Clay Middle School is ranked #1788 out of 3,440 schools in OH.

What is Clay Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clay Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clay Middle School has 32.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Clay Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Clay Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

53.4% of students at Clay Middle 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
148
Student-Teacher Ratio
7:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.4%
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
#2 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

Related reading

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.