Total enrollment
1,272
-58 (-4%) vs SY 2020-21
Clay County
Kansas · Public K-12
Clay County is a Kansas county whose public-school system spans 7 schools and approximately 1,272 students. Median household income runs about $66,176. That works out to 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
4-year change in Clay County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Clay County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Kansas | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 38.8% | #18 of 57 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,272 | #52 of 61 | #2,593 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 6 | #54 of 61 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 11.4:1 | #11 of 61 | #367 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 46.5% | #40 of 61 | #1,804 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 16.9% | #58 of 60 | #2,272 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Residents
8,048
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
7
1 districts
Enrollment
1,272
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$66,176
Below Kansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
46.5%
Below Kansas avg
Elementary
3
640 students
Middle
1
226 students
High
2
406 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Clay County Public Schools
1,272 students · 1 district in Clay County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Clay 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+
25.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
12.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
1.0%
civilian labor
Median age
44
23.0% under 18
Test scores in Clay County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Kansas state average: 44.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Lincoln Elem· 63.1%
- Garfield Elem· 55.2%
- Clay Center Community Middle· 44.4%
- Clay Center Community High· 43.9%
- Wakefield Elem· 29.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Elem | Clay Center | Elementary | PK-03 | 341 | · |
| Clay Center Community High | Clay Center | High | 09-12 | 326 | · |
| Clay Center Community Middle | Clay Center | Middle | 06-08 | 226 | · |
| Garfield Elem | Clay Center | Elementary | 04-05 | 170 | · |
| Wakefield Elem | Wakefield | Elementary | KG-08 | 129 | · |
| Wakefield High | Wakefield | High | 09-12 | 80 | · |
| eLearn 379 Virtual School | Clay Center | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Clay County
About Clay County
In Kansas, Clay County is a rural-scale county of about 8,048 residents. 7 public schools across the county enrolls about 1,272 students between them.
For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $66,176, about 26% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 12%.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Clay County spans 3 elementary schools (640 students), 1 middle school (226), 2 high schools (406), and 1 combined or other schools.
Clay County Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,272 students across Clay County.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Clay County has declined 4% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 1,330 students to 1,272.
On this page, the community for Clay County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data