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Clay County High School

Q: Is Clay County High School a good school?

Clay County High School ranks 39 th of 107 West Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

39^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 107 West Virginia High Schools

Better than 64% of West Virginia high schools

Summary

Clay County High School in Clay, WV, serves approximately 520 students in grades 9-12 and is part of the Clay County Schools district. The school has made one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the state, jumping from a rank of 96th (1 star) in 2024-2025 to 41st (3 stars) in 2025-2026—a gain of 55 positions in a single year. This improvement is especially notable given the school's smaller size compared to nearby Nicholas County High School (708 students), and Clay County maintains a more favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1 versus Nicholas County's 17.1:1.

What truly sets Clay County High School apart is its exceptional performance with students who face the greatest challenges. In 2025-2026, economically disadvantaged students ranked 27th out of 104 schools (74th percentile, 4 stars)—significantly outperforming the school's overall ranking. The school also shows remarkable consistency in serving homeless students, ranking 5th out of 18 schools (72nd percentile) in the most recent year and 2nd out of 15 (87th percentile, 5 stars) in 2023-2024. Test scores have improved substantially across the board: math proficiency nearly doubled from 10.2% to 20% (matching the state average), English Language Arts improved from 39.7% to 52% (slightly exceeding the state average), and science improved from 19.4% to 20.8%. Graduation rates have remained consistently high, with the school posting a 92% rate in its weakest recent year and rates of 95-99% in prior years.

Compared to Nicholas County High School, located just 16.5 miles away, Clay County now leads in math proficiency (20% vs. 17.4%) and science (20.8% vs. 19.7%), while trailing slightly in ELA (52% vs. 53%) and graduation rate (92% vs. 97.7%). The school's improvement trajectory far outpaces its neighbor, which gained only 11 positions over the same period. While Clay County's performance has been volatile over the past decade—peaking at 22nd in 2015-2016 and hitting a low of 100th in 2020-2021—the current data suggests targeted interventions for vulnerable student populations are working. The school spends $13,685 per student, notably more than Nicholas County's $11,188, which may be contributing to these improved outcomes. The key question for parents is whether this momentum can be sustained.

520

Students ?

15.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,694

Per pupil spending ?

51.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1 Panther Drive
Clay, WV 25043-0729

(304) 587-4226

District: Clay County Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

97.7%

Hispanic:

1.0%

Asian:

0.8%

See top rated West Virginia high schools

Compare Clay County High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 12th percentile in 2021 → 64th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 64th (2026) from a 12th-percentile low (2021)

✓Above the West Virginia median (64th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school31%

District avg31%

West Virginia avg32%

39^th of 107

West Virginia public high schools ?

Top 36%▼ down 18 pts since 2016

From top 18% (2016) to top 36% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of West Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

21^st of 55Clay County Schools among West Virginia 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	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	55.3	39 of 107	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	18.3	96 of 111	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	28.6	80 of 112	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	36.4	69 of 112	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.3	71 of 112	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	15.4	100 of 113	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	24.5	89 of 114	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	19.9	98 of 115	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	63.4	36 of 122	70.5%	★★★★☆
2016	72.3	22 of 119	81.5%	★★★★☆
2015	83.4	8 of 117	93.2%	★★★★★
2014	69.3	24 of 115	79.1%	★★★★☆
2013	28.7	88 of 114	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	21.5	99 of 113	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	38.6	77 of 113	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	53.0	56 of 112	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2009	55.3	50 of 111	55.0%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2022	35.3	65 of 91	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	16.8	73 of 84	13.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	59.5	40 of 106	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	10.1	101 of 107	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	27.3	85 of 110	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	55.1	42 of 108	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.3	48 of 108	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	17.1	99 of 110	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	34.5	67 of 109	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.3	69 of 111	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	66.9	32 of 119	73.1%	★★★★☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	70.4	5 of 18	72.2%	★★★★☆
2025	23.5	16 of 19	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	79.3	2 of 15	86.7%	★★★★★
2023	43.0	8 of 13	38.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	39.0	5 of 8	37.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	14.5	8 of 8	0.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	27.5	5 of 6	16.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	65.2	28 of 106	73.6%	★★★★☆
2025	16.4	98 of 109	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	54.5	46 of 110	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	40.1	63 of 107	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.3	71 of 109	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	15.1	102 of 111	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	30.6	83 of 112	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	75.5	16 of 121	86.8%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	49.6	48 of 106	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	31.0	72 of 106	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	32.7	78 of 109	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	28.9	81 of 108	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	22.5	87 of 108	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	19.8	94 of 110	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.0	88 of 109	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	8.8	107 of 111	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	57.8	42 of 122	65.6%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	39.8	51 of 83	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	38.2	59 of 92	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	49.7	36 of 89	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.3	32 of 89	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.8	32 of 85	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	38.4	62 of 103	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	64.3	21 of 118	82.2%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	48.9	47 of 107	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	18.9	92 of 111	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.0	78 of 111	29.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.6	74 of 112	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	35.7	75 of 111	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	14.4	103 of 113	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	21.8	91 of 112	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	19.2	96 of 113	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	61.8	39 of 122	68.0%	★★★☆☆

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)74th percentile+10 vs school

Homeless (2026)72nd percentile+9 vs school

Female (2026)62nd percentile~ school

White (2026)56th percentile-7 vs school

Male (2026)55th percentile-9 vs school

Special Education (2026)39th percentile-25 vs school

Disabled (2022)29th percentile-8 vs school

By subject vs West Virginia (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts52%~ state avg

Science21%-3 vs state

Mathematics20%~ state avg

3.7

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Thursday, November 3, 2016

Teachers and staff all work towards whats best for kids Close Quote

by a student
Wednesday, November 11, 2015

As a former student of this school going to a prestigious liberal arts university, this school did not give me the skills I needed to succeed. The faculty are great, but it is the administration and its blatant sexism, racism, and lack of care for education that takes the cake.

The administration cares more about enforcing arbitrary dress code violations (only when a female student breaks the code I might add; male students have free reign) than it does educating students. Having your boxers or briefs showing is acceptable, but heaven forbid your bra strap slip.

I also heard many racist remarks during my years here that were never addressed by the administration. The student body, and even some members of the administration, would utter racial slurs and violent words at the slightest provocation. There is a reason this school is primarily white.

Really, though, it is the lack of education that bugs me the most. I did not learn effective writing skills. I was taught that a five paragraph essay was all that I needed in life. If it was not for the one research paper I had to write in English, I would have very little idea on how to write on a topic for more than two pages. The administration forces teachers to teach to the test, that is, to only follow the state standards and not to go above and beyond.

There is also a deep resentment of teaching sexual education to students, a subject much needed. We did not learn about female anatomy. We did not learn about ovulation or even how to maintain proper hygiene. We did not learn about foreskin or even the parts of genitalia. No, we were taught that premarital sex is the worst thing we could do to ourselves, especially as a female because then our value would diminish. Close Quote

Schools Near Clay County High School

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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)				WV Assessment Mathematics (2026)	WV Assessment English Language Arts (2026)	WV Assessment Science (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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2021)	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	WV Assessment Mathematics 11th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts 11th Grade	WV Assessment Science 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Clay County High School	Public	9-12	1 Panther Drive	Clay	25043	Clay County	Clay County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(304) 587-4226	520	34	15.2	51.6%	508 (97.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.0%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	55.3	39^th of 107 public high schools	63.6%		18.3	96^th of 111 public high schools	13.5%	57	20.0	52.0	20.8	$9,694	$1,951	$7,744
Nicholas County High School	Public	9-12	30 Grizzley Ln	Summersville	26651	Nicholas County	Nicholas County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 872-2141	708	41	17.1	44.8%	688 (97.2%)	2 (0.3%)	11 (1.6%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.6%)	51	45^th of 107 public high schools	57.9%		49.8	58^th of 111 public high schools	47.7%	13	17.4	53.0	19.7	$7,994	$1,103	$6,890

Frequently Asked Questions about Clay County High School

What is the racial makeup of Clay County High School?

Students at Clay County High School are 98% White.

What schools feed into Clay County High School?

Clay County High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Big Otter Elementary School
Elementary : Clay Elementary School
Middle : Clay Middle School

What district is Clay County High School in?

Clay County Schools

Is Clay County High School a good school?

Clay County High School ranks 39^th of 107 West Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Clay County High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 520 students attended Clay County High School.

Rate Clay County High School!

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Latest West Virginia data All new data »

2019–20 through 2024–25 school spending dataAug 24, 2026

2025–26 WV Assessment scoresAug 12, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 9, 2026

2024–25 WV Assessment scoresAug 13, 2025

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