Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its Kentucky rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Clay County High School

Q: Is Clay County High School a good school?

Clay County High School ranks 120 th of 262 Kentucky high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

120^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 262 Kentucky High Schools

Better than 54% of Kentucky high schools

Summary

Clay County High School is a public school serving 762 students in grades 9–12 in Manchester, in Clay County. The clearest concern for families is attendance: in 2025–2026, chronic absenteeism was 45%, compared with 24% statewide and 40% districtwide. It was also higher than at South Laurel High School (35%) and North Laurel High School (35%), making chronic absenteeism a substantial challenge for the school.

Clay’s strongest 2025–2026 KSA result relative to the state was Social Studies: 43%, 6 points above the state. It was also above the state in Reading (50%, 1 point higher) and Writing (52%, 5 points higher), and scored 2–5 points above its district in all six subjects. Mathematics was its weakest state comparison, at 34%, 6 points below. But Clay scored below both nearby traditional high schools in every subject with published results: for example, Math was 34% versus their average of 47%, and Editing and Mechanics was 37% versus 56%, a 19-point gap. Nearby averages here include only South and North Laurel; other nearby school results were suppressed or unavailable.

Results have shifted over time: from 2023–2024 to 2025–2026, Clay’s Math proficiency fell 7 points, Reading fell 13, and Editing and Mechanics fell 11, while Social Studies rose 9 points. SchoolDigger ranks Clay at the 54th statewide percentile (120th of 262 schools, 3 stars) in 2025–2026, down from the 67th percentile in 2022–2023. Its student-teacher ratio was 16.2 in 2024–2025, lower than at South and North Laurel, and 72% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible that year. SchoolDigger’s statewide measure of how well Clay serves students receiving special education ranked it at the 23rd percentile in 2025–2026, down from the 86th percentile the prior year. Its measure for how well it serves female students fell from the 82nd to the 48th percentile over the same three-year period, ending just below the school’s overall percentile.

762

Students ?

16.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$33,765

Per pupil spending ?

71.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

415 Clay Co High Rd
Manchester, KY 40962

(606) 598-3737

District: Clay County

Feeder schools for Clay County High School:

Elementary:	Big Creek Elementary
	Burning Springs Elementary
	Goose Rock Elementary
	Hacker Elementary School
	More...
	Manchester Elementary School
	Oneida Elementary School
	Paces Creek Elementary
Middle:	Clay County Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

96.1%

Hispanic:

1.3%

African American:

1.2%

See top rated Kentucky high schools

Compare Clay County High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 67th percentile in 2023 → 54th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Kentucky median (54th percentile)

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (45% vs 24% Kentucky)

!Ranking has slipped from its 67th-percentile peak (2023) to 54th (2026)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school40%

District avg36%

Kentucky avg39%

120^th of 262

Kentucky public high schools ?

Top 46%▲ up 27 pts since 2016

From bottom 27% (2016) to top 46% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Kentucky High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

23^rd of 158Clay County among Kentucky districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	50.2	120 of 262	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	56.5	93 of 254	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.7	101 of 290	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.5	91 of 276	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	43.3	154 of 271	43.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	42.1	140 of 267	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	32.4	200 of 285	29.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	34.3	193 of 271	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	46.5	188 of 287	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	33.7	209 of 288	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	35.2	210 of 295	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	31.0	215 of 290	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	29.3	221 of 291	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	14.6	219 of 229	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	36.3	150 of 226	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2010	41.5	139 of 223	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2009	30.2	166 of 217	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	34.1	155 of 217	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	20.6	188 of 217	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2022	43.6	76 of 153	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	24.3	124 of 154	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	41.3	92 of 166	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	15.1	163 of 166	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	47.1	127 of 244	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	65.7	61 of 239	74.5%	★★★★☆
2024	73.6	47 of 261	82.0%	★★★★☆
2023	48.5	130 of 253	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	35.1	174 of 252	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	64.4	53 of 236	77.5%	★★★★☆
2019	44.3	156 of 249	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	38.0	165 of 234	29.5%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	52.4	105 of 245	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.2	86 of 242	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.4	69 of 274	74.8%	★★★★☆
2023	64.0	64 of 272	76.5%	★★★★☆
2022	50.6	116 of 266	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	67.3	37 of 234	84.2%	★★★★☆
2019	34.4	184 of 254	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	29.4	186 of 232	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	44.8	132 of 243	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	46.4	124 of 239	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.9	158 of 262	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	65.3	63 of 259	75.7%	★★★★☆
2022	51.5	101 of 257	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	36.9	142 of 238	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	26.1	199 of 251	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	24.8	194 of 237	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	26.1	65 of 84	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	72.1	12 of 86	86.0%	★★★★☆
2024	48.7	59 of 168	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	20.5	146 of 162	9.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	32.1	170 of 226	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	42.9	137 of 253	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	48.3	122 of 251	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.7	121 of 273	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.5	112 of 264	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	36.2	163 of 260	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	29.1	141 of 203	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	21.2	170 of 198	14.1%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)57th percentile+3 vs school

Disabled (2022)50th percentile+7 vs school

Female (2026)48th percentile-6 vs school

White (2026)46th percentile-8 vs school

Male (2026)46th percentile-9 vs school

Special Education (2026)23rd percentile-32 vs school

By subject vs Kentucky (2025-2026) ?

Writing52%+5 vs state

Reading50%~ state avg

Social Studies43%+6 vs state

Editing and Mechanics37%-3 vs state

Mathematics34%-6 vs state

Science21%~ state avg

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Clay County High School and help other families decide.

Rate Clay County High School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Clay County High School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				KSA Mathematics (2026)				KSA Reading (2026)				KSA Science (2026)		KSA Writing (2026)		KSA Social Studies (2026)		KSA Editing and Mechanics (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	KSA Mathematics 6th Grade	KSA Mathematics 7th Grade	KSA Mathematics 8th Grade	KSA Mathematics 10th Grade	KSA Reading 6th Grade	KSA Reading 7th Grade	KSA Reading 8th Grade	KSA Reading 10th Grade	KSA Science 7th Grade	KSA Science 11th Grade	KSA Writing 8th Grade	KSA Writing 11th Grade	KSA Social Studies 8th Grade	KSA Social Studies 11th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 8th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Clay County High School	Public	9-12	415 Clay Co High Rd	Manchester	40962	Clay County	Clay County	No	No	No	No	(606) 598-3737	762	47	16.2	71.7%	732 (96.1%)	9 (1.2%)	10 (1.3%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	4 (0.5%)	50.2	120^th of 262 public high schools	54.2%		56.5	93^rd of 254 public high schools	63.4%	27				34.0				50.0		21.0		52.0		43.0		37.0	$33,765	$1,564	$12,839
Clay County Area Technology Center	Public	8-12	1097 North Hwy 11	Manchester	40962	Clay County	Kentucky Technical System	No	No	No	No	(606) 598-2194	0	0		—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Laurel County Day Treatment	Public	6-12	65 Marydell Rd	London	40741	Laurel County	Laurel County	No	No	No	No	(606) 862-6605	63	4	15.7	85.7%	55 (87.3%)	3 (4.8%)	4 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.6%)								(n/a)							38.0	27.0									$50,382	$2,852	$27,978
Barnabus Home High School	Public	9-12	4500 Highway 30 W	Annville	40402	Jackson County	Jackson County	No	No	No	No	(606) 364-2111	10	1	20.0	—	9 (90.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (10.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																	$25,652	$3,453	$16,951
Laurel County Schools Center for Innovation	Public	10-12	1100 East Fourth Street	London	40741	Laurel County	Laurel County	No	No	No	No	(606) 862-5580	0	17	.0	—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
North Laurel High School	Public	9-12	1300 East Hal Rogers Parkway	London	40741	Laurel County	Laurel County	No	No	No	No	(606) 862-4699	1,252	62	20.1	58.3%	1,170 (93.5%)	12 (1.0%)	35 (2.8%)	13 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	6 (0.5%)	15 (1.2%)	84.6	18^th of 262 public high schools	93.1%		58	86^th of 254 public high schools	66.1%	68				54.0				57.0		36.0		62.0		58.0		55.0	$23,351	$1,986	$17,425
McDaniel Learning Center	Public	9-12	275 South Laurel Rd.	London	40744	Laurel County	Laurel County	No	No	No	No	(606) 862-4781	29	4	7.2	89.7%	26 (89.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (10.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																	$35,756	$10,518	$25,238
South Laurel High School	Public	9-12	201 South Laurel Rd	London	40744	Laurel County	Laurel County	No	No	No	No	(606) 862-4727	1,119	56	19.9	66.1%	1,019 (91.1%)	16 (1.4%)	48 (4.3%)	7 (0.6%)	3 (0.3%)	4 (0.4%)	22 (2.0%)	82	24^th of 262 public high schools	90.8%		79.1	33^rd of 254 public high schools	87.0%	9				40.0				57.0		37.0		73.0		57.0		57.0	$24,414	$1,948	$18,601
Jackson County Schools Learning Center	Public	7-12	3331 Highway 421 South	Mc Kee	40447	Jackson County	Jackson County	No	No	No	No	(606) 287-7181	7	1	7.7	—	6 (85.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (14.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																	$18,596	$1,154	$12,195

Frequently Asked Questions about Clay County High School

What district is Clay County High School in?

Clay County

What is the racial makeup of Clay County High School?

Students at Clay County High School are 96% White, 1% Hispanic, 1% African American.

Is Clay County High School a good school?

Clay County High School ranks 120^th of 262 Kentucky high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools feed into Clay County High School?

Clay County High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Big Creek Elementary
Elementary : Burning Springs Elementary
Elementary : Goose Rock Elementary
Elementary : Hacker Elementary School
Elementary : Manchester Elementary School
Elementary : Oneida Elementary School
Elementary : Paces Creek Elementary
Middle : Clay County Middle School

How many students attend Clay County High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 762 students attended Clay County High School.

Rate Clay County High School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

KYKentucky High School Rankings

KYKentucky District Rankings

Schools in Manchester, KY

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Clay County High School!

Latest Kentucky data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataOct 15, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 15, 2026

2025–26 KSA test scoresOct 15, 2026

2024–25 KSA test scoresOct 30, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.