Total enrollment
3,625
+1,242 (+52%) vs SY 2017-18
Clayton County
Iowa · Public K-12
Public education in Clayton County reaches 3,625 students across 11 schools. Clayton Ridge Comm School District is the largest district at 2,066 students. That works out to 4 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
7-year change in Clayton County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
11
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
83%
was 94%
% Hispanic
7%
was 3%
% Black
4%
was 2%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
17,013
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
11
4 districts
Enrollment
3,625
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$67,242
Below Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
38.6%
Below Iowa avg
Elementary
4
1,033 students
Middle
2
308 students
High
4
827 students
Combined / other
1
1,457 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Clayton Ridge Comm School District
2,066 students · 4 districts in Clayton County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Clayton County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
14.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.5%
civilian labor
Median age
46
21.6% under 18
Test scores in Clayton County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 11 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Clayton Ridge High School· 88.5%
- MFL MarMac Middle School· 86.5%
- MFL MarMac High School· 82.2%
- Clayton Ridge Elementary School· 81.2%
- Clayton Ridge Middle School· 81.2%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Iowa Virtual Academy· 45.2%
- Central Middle School/High School· 71.5%
- McGregor Intermediate School· 74.6%
- Central Elementary· 75.4%
- MFL MarMac Elementary School· 76.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Virtual Academy | Guttenberg | Combined | KG-12 | 1,457 | · |
| MFL MarMac Elementary School | Monona | Elementary | PK-03 | 318 | · |
| Clayton Ridge Elementary School | Garnavillo | Elementary | PK-05 | 293 | · |
| Central Elementary | Elkader | Elementary | PK-06 | 292 | · |
| MFL MarMac High School | Monona | High | 09-12 | 263 | · |
| Edgewood-Colesburg High School | Edgewood | High | 07-12 | 206 | · |
| Central Middle School/High School | Elkader | High | 07-12 | 182 | · |
| Clayton Ridge High School | Guttenberg | High | 09-12 | 176 | · |
| MFL MarMac Middle School | Mcgregor | Middle | 06-08 | 168 | · |
| Clayton Ridge Middle School | Guttenberg | Middle | 06-08 | 140 | · |
| McGregor Intermediate School | Mcgregor | Elementary | 04-05 | 130 | · |
Cities in Clayton County
About Clayton County
In Iowa, Clayton County is a sparse county of about 17,013 residents. 11 public schools across the county educates about 3,625 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $67,242, 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 6%. That income level is 6% meaningfully below the Iowa median.
For a sense of the school types, Clayton County spans 4 elementary schools (1,033 students), 2 middle schools (308), 4 high schools (827), and 1 combined or other schools.
Clayton Ridge Comm School District is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,066 students across Clayton County.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Clayton County has expanded 52% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 2,383 students to 3,625. Demographically, the White share of enrollment fell from 94% to 83%.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Clayton County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
Clayton County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data