- Clay County Middle School — Grades 7–8 · 387 students
- Clay County High School — Grades 9–12 · 762 students
- Manchester Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 409 students
- Burning Springs Elementary — Grades PK–6 · 297 students
- Paces Creek Elementary — Grades K–6 · 273 students
- Hacker Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 244 students
- Goose Rock Elementary — Grades PK–6 · 231 students
- Big Creek Elementary — Grades PK–6 · 136 students
- Oneida Elementary School — Grades PK–6 · 110 students
- Horse Creek Learning Center — Grades 3–12 · 79 students
| Metric | Clay County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 4 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,900/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Near average |
About Clay County School District
Clay County School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 40972 in Clay, Kentucky. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 40972. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Clay County School District runs approximately $11,900 annually, placing it 13% above the Kentucky state average of approximately $10,500 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Clay County School District is a district of unknown size with multiple schools serving students from Pre-K–12th. Contact Clay County School District to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Clay County School District 8 out of 10 — above average among Kentucky public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Kentucky is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Clay County School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Kentucky. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 40972
Children in zip code 40972 are assigned to Clay County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 40972, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Clay County School District at (256)396-1475 or visit www.claycoboe.org. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Kentucky districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Clay
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Clay County School District serves zip code 40972, homes in and around zip code 40972 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Kentucky, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Clay County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 40972.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Clay County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 40972 data.