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Very Good

#292 of 2,102 schools in WI

Top 14% in state

Clayton Middle

Middle School · Clayton School District

PO Box 130, Clayton, WI 54004

Enrollment

47

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clayton

#2 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#75 of 387

In district

#2 of 3

Clayton School District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Clayton Middle

Clayton Middle serves 47 students in grades 6 through 8 in Clayton, Wisconsin, a small rural community in Polk County. With just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, this public middle school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8 to 1, allowing for personalized attention and close student-faculty relationships. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #107 out of 2,112 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's effectiveness in serving its small student body. Clayton Middle operates in a close-knit rural setting where the median household income is $63,224 and the poverty rate is relatively low at 8.1 percent. The community of 2,186 residents values stability, with median home values around $214,000.

While 14 percent of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves families from diverse educational backgrounds. Located in a remote rural area, Clayton Middle provides students with the benefits of small-town education, where every student is known individually and can participate meaningfully in school activities and programs.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 47 students, Clayton Middle 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 Clayton Middle 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.

Located in a rural area, Clayton Middle 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 Progress9.8Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-30.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.8 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,617

Clayton Middle — Students at Clayton Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.8%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 44.3%
School
State
52.9%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
60%
ELA
55.8%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Clayton Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
86th percentile in WI
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 130, Clayton, WI 54004

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clayton Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Amery Middle (rated 8.6/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Amery), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Prairie Farm Middle (rated 8.1/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Prairie Farm), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Turtle Lake Middle (rated 7.7/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Turtle Lake), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Clayton Elementary Clayton 0.0 mi 8.5
Clayton High Clayton 0.0 mi 4.9
Turtle Lake Elementary Turtle Lake 5.1 mi 7.2
Turtle Lake High Turtle Lake 5.1 mi 5.4
Laker Online Turtle Lake 5.1 mi
Turtle Lake Middle Turtle Lake 5.1 mi 7.7
Gaylord A Nelson Educational Center Clear Lake 7.3 mi 7.1
Clear Lake High Clear Lake 7.7 mi 3.9
Clear Lake Junior High Clear Lake 7.7 mi 7.5
OAK GROVE AMISH SCHOOL Clear Lake 10.2 mi
Barron Area Montessori School Almena 9.1 mi 4.7
VANCE CREEK AMISH SCHOOL Prairie Farm 9.9 mi
Amery Middle Amery 8.6 mi 8.6
Amery Intermediate Amery 8.6 mi 7.9
Amery High Amery 8.8 mi 5.1
Lien Elementary Amery 8.8 mi 9.4
GOSPEL MENNONITE SCHOOL Almena 11.2 mi
HILLCREST MENNONITE SCHOOL Barron 10.4 mi
Prairie Farm Middle Prairie Farm 11.4 mi 8.1
Prairie Farm Elementary Prairie Farm 11.4 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54004 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,145

Median Home Value

$235,300

Median Rent

$833/mo

Population

2,188

College Educated

14%

Homeownership

87.3%

Avg Commute

28.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

47.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Clayton Middle has a median household income of $64,145. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,300, with a median rent of $833/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Argyle Middle Argyle, WI 7.7
Weston Jr High School Cazenovia, WI 7.7
Fox West Academy Hortonville, WI 7.6
New Auburn Middle New Auburn, WI 8.0
Albany Community Middle Albany, WI 7.4
Birchwood Middle Birchwood, WI 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clayton Middle

What grades does Clayton Middle serve?

Clayton Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Clayton Middle?

Clayton Middle has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clayton Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Clayton Middle is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clayton Middle rank in WI?

Clayton Middle is ranked #292 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Clayton Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Clayton Middle has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Clayton Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clayton Middle has 44.8% math proficiency and 44.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Clayton Middle a charter school?

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

Is Clayton Middle a Title I school?

No, Clayton Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

55.3% of students at Clayton Middle 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

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (342/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Clayton School District
District Enrollment
279
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,664
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.

Read our full methodology

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