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
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Clay EL Sch — Students at Clay EL Sch score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from PA 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: 6.0/10.
How Clay EL Sch Compares
See how Clay EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 57.5% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 66.4% (2024).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (717) 721-1100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ephrata Area SD- District Enrollment
- 3,985
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,732
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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