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Average

#1260 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 44% in state

Clay EL Sch

Elementary School · Ephrata Area SD

250 Clay School Rd, Ephrata, PA 17522

Enrollment

374

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ephrata

#4 of 6

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#826 of 1,625

In district

#5 of 7

Ephrata Area SD

Academic performance

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Clay EL Sch

Clay Elementary School serves 374 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 78th percentile among Pennsylvania elementary schools at #624 out of 2,852 schools statewide.

Students show particular strength in reading and language arts, with 66% achieving proficient or above levels, while 57% reach proficiency in mathematics. Clay Elementary draws families from a stable community where the median household income is $69,084 and the poverty rate remains low at 6.9%. The area's median home value of $248,800 reflects a middle-class neighborhood that values education and community investment.

Located at 250 Clay School Road, the school sits in Lancaster County's rural landscape near the town of Ephrata. This setting provides students with the benefits of small-town community connections while maintaining access to the educational resources and opportunities of the broader Lancaster County region. The rural location offers a peaceful learning environment where students can focus on building strong foundational skills in their early elementary years.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Clay EL Sch 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.4%
Math vs. State Avg+6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,697

Clay EL Sch — Students at Clay EL Sch score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 58.3%
School
State
47.0%
ELA Proficiency 68.7%
School
State
53.5%

Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
57.5%
ELA
66.5%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Clay EL Sch Compares

See how Clay EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
56th percentile in PA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

250 Clay School Rd, Ephrata, PA 17522

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clay EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Highland El Sch (rated 8.5/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fulton El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ephrata, see our Ephrata schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
GRACE POINT ACADEMY Ephrata 1.1 mi
CHERRY GROVE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Ephrata 1.3 mi 3.0
FAIRVIEW PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Lititz 2.4 mi
SPRINGVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Ephrata 3.0 mi 6.1
Ephrata MS Ephrata 3.4 mi 6.3
Ephrata Intermediate Sch Ephrata 3.4 mi 6.0
John Beck El Sch Lititz 3.6 mi 5.8
Ephrata SHS Ephrata 3.7 mi 7.0
OLIVE BRANCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ephrata 3.9 mi
NEW HAVEN MENNONITE SCHOOL Lititz 3.6 mi 6.2
Highland El Sch Ephrata 4.1 mi 8.5
LITITZ AREA MENNONITE SCHOOL Lititz 4.5 mi 5.7
OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ephrata 4.2 mi 7.2
Fulton El Sch Ephrata 4.4 mi 8.3
Akron El Sch Akron 5.1 mi 6.7
John R Bonfield El Sch Lititz 5.1 mi 6.1
Cocalico SHS Denver 4.4 mi 5.6
SUN VALLEY SCHOOL Newmanstown 5.8 mi 3.7
OWL HILL LEARNING CENTER Lititz 5.7 mi
Cocalico MS Denver 4.8 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17522 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,865

Median Home Value

$263,600

Median Rent

$1,171/mo

Population

33,601

College Educated

23.5%

Homeownership

66.2%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

38.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Clay EL Sch has a median household income of $71,865. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,600, with a median rent of $1,171/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Berkey Sch Arnold, PA 6.6
Brecht Sch Lancaster, PA 6.6
Brown Henry A Sch Philadelphia, PA 6.6
Comegys Benjamin B Sch Philadelphia, PA 6.6
Davenport El Sch Norristown, PA 6.6
Fox Twp El Sch Kersey, PA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clay EL Sch

What grades does Clay EL Sch serve?

Clay EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Clay EL Sch?

Clay EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 374 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clay EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Clay EL Sch 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 Clay EL Sch rank in PA?

Clay EL Sch is ranked #1260 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Clay EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Clay EL Sch has a composite rating of 6.6 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 EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clay EL Sch has 58.3% math proficiency and 68.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Clay EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Clay EL Sch a Title I school?

No, Clay EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clay EL Sch?

49.2% of students at Clay EL Sch 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
Elevated (938/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Lancaster County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ephrata Area SD
District Enrollment
3,985
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,732
District Rank
#5 of 7

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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