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
Enrollment
148
Student-Teacher
7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Clay Middle School — Students at Clay Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OH EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from OH state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How Clay Middle School Compares
See how Clay Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (740) 354-6644
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clay Local- District Enrollment
- 606
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,319
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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.
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