Best Public Schools in Clay, WV

The city of Clay, West Virginia, is served by the Clay County Schools district, which includes three schools—Clay County High School (grades 9-12), Clay Elementary School (grades PK-5), and Clay Middle School (grades 6-8)—together educating roughly 1,250 students in a small, rural Appalachian community.

The standout story here is Clay County High School, which made a dramatic turnaround, jumping from the 14th to the 61st percentile in state rankings in a single year. Its 11th-grade math proficiency more than doubled to 20%, and its ELA proficiency (52%) now exceeds the state average. This is the clear academic leader in the district, with a strong 92% graduation rate. In contrast, Clay Middle School is the biggest concern, particularly its 8th-grade math proficiency of just 6.9%—far below the state's 34.2%. The middle school also lags in science (16.4% vs. 29.3% statewide) and spends about $2,600 less per student than the other two schools. Clay Elementary School sits in the middle: it posts the district's best absolute scores, including a rare bright spot in 5th-grade science (36.4%, above the state average), but its math proficiency steadily declines from 47.4% in 3rd grade to 29.1% in 5th grade.

For parents, the key takeaway is that the district's overall 3-star rating masks big differences between schools. The high school is clearly on an upward trajectory and worth watching, while the middle school needs urgent intervention in math and science. The elementary school is a mixed bag—strong in early grades but showing a worrying slide as students advance. Notably, the middle school's ELA scores are close to state averages, suggesting its problems are subject-specific rather than systemic. If you have a child entering middle school, it's worth asking the district about math support and the funding gap that may be affecting resources there.