The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in Math. The lowest is 14% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Clay City Elementary School
Clay City Elementary School is a regular public school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in the small Powell County town of Clay City, Kentucky. It enrolls a few hundred students, making it a modest-sized elementary school by the standards of rural Kentucky. The student body is overwhelmingly white, and a substantial share of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic conditions of the surrounding community. The school sits on Main Street, the same corridor that carries the town’s municipal offices and the historic Clay City National Bank Building, placing it in the heart of the town’s compact commercial strip.
On the Kentucky Summative Assessment for the 2024-25 school year, the school’s proficiency rates across tested grades and subjects were mixed, with some results suppressed for privacy. In third grade, a moderate share of students met state benchmarks in reading, and a somewhat smaller share did so in math. By fifth grade, reading proficiency was lower, while math held at roughly the same level as third grade. Science proficiency among fourth graders was limited, and social studies proficiency among fifth graders was also modest. The suppressed results for fourth grade in both reading and math mean the available data does not give a complete picture for that grade level. A parent may want to ask the school for further context on fourth-grade performance and for any trends across years.
Compared to other districts in Powell County, this is the only district, so no meaningful comparison to neighboring districts is possible here. The school itself is the only elementary in Clay City; students continue to Powell County Middle School and Powell County High School, both located in the county seat of Stanton, a short drive away.
Clay City itself is a small, low-income community with a slight population decline in recent years. The Red River runs through the town, and low-lying areas flood from time to time. Housing values are on the lower end within Kentucky, and homeownership is common. Employment is largely outside the city limits, with many residents commuting to Stanton, Lexington, or other nearby towns for work. The town has a city park with ball fields, a walking track, and a planned skate park. Public transit is absent. The county library is based in Stanton.
The school’s academic profile suggests that a family considering Clay City Elementary should be aware that while some grade levels show pockets of proficiency, overall outcomes are modest. This is a school that serves a community with significant economic need, which can affect readiness and available resources. No data was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing, or special education and English learner populations, so a parent may wish to inquire directly about those areas, especially student support services.
Clay City Elementary is the neighborhood school for a small, working-class town. It fits families who value a locally rooted elementary experience within walking distance of Main Street and who are comfortable with a school that, like its community, faces economic challenges and shows a varied academic record. The school does not appear to offer specialized programs or magnet tracks; it is a straightforward public elementary serving its attendance zone. For those looking for a more diverse or higher-performing setting, the district’s other elementary options in Stanton may merit a look, though data on those schools is not part of this profile.
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