Clay County Schools & Education
Clay County, Illinois
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
18/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
81.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
81.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,365
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
18/100
Higher = better
State avg 63/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#102
of 102 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Clay County
School Verdict
Clay County faces educational challenges with a school score of 18/100 and a graduation rate of 81.8%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,365 per pupil, Clay County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Clay County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 71% below the Illinois average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 7.0 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 31% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Clay County, Illinois
Lean Rural School Infrastructure
Clay County operates 8 public schools for 2,184 students, overseen by 3 primary school districts. The infrastructure consists of 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
Facing Investment and Performance Challenges
The county's graduation rate of 81.8% and school score of 47.8 both fall below state and national benchmarks. Per-pupil spending of $6,365 is significantly lower than the Illinois average of $9,250, indicating a leaner fiscal approach to education.
Flora CUSD Drives County Enrollment
Flora CUSD 35 serves as the major educational provider, enrolling 1,345 students across three schools. The county relies entirely on traditional public schools, with no charter school alternatives available.
Primarily Rural and Moderate in Size
Six of the county's eight schools are located in rural areas, maintaining an average size of 273 students. Flora Elementary is the largest single campus with 681 students, while most other schools are much smaller.
Find a Home in Flora or Clay City
Families looking for a rural lifestyle will find Clay County offers a straightforward, district-based school system. Consider local homes that provide easy access to Flora's central campuses or the smaller schools in Clay City.
School Overview
Total Schools
8
in Clay County
Total Enrollment
2,184
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Clay County
Flora CUSD 35
North Clay CUSD 25
Clay City CUSD 10
8 Public Schools in Clay County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flora Elementary School | Flora CUSD 35 | PK–5 | Primary | 681 |
| North Clay Elem/Jr High Sch | North Clay CUSD 25 | PK–8 | Primary | 392 |
| Flora High School | Flora CUSD 35 | 9–12 | High | 375 |
| Floyd Henson Jr High Sch | Flora CUSD 35 | 6–8 | Middle | 289 |
| North Clay Community High School | North Clay CUSD 25 | 9–12 | High | 178 |
| Clay City Elem School | Clay City CUSD 10 | PK–5 | Primary | 130 |
| Clay City High School | Clay City CUSD 10 | 9–12 | High | 78 |
| Clay City Jr High School | Clay City CUSD 10 | 6–8 | Middle | 61 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,365
State avg $9,250
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Clay County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Clay County?
How much does Clay County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Clay County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Clay County, Illinois?
Clay County operates 8 public schools for 2,184 students, overseen by 3 primary school districts. The infrastructure consists of 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
How do schools in Clay County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate of 81.8% and school score of 47.8 both fall below state and national benchmarks. Per-pupil spending of $6,365 is significantly lower than the Illinois average of $9,250, indicating a leaner fiscal approach to education.
What are the major school districts in Clay County, Illinois?
Flora CUSD 35 serves as the major educational provider, enrolling 1,345 students across three schools. The county relies entirely on traditional public schools, with no charter school alternatives available.
What is the school experience like in Clay County?
Six of the county's eight schools are located in rural areas, maintaining an average size of 273 students. Flora Elementary is the largest single campus with 681 students, while most other schools are much smaller.
How can I find homes near good schools in Clay County, Illinois?
Families looking for a rural lifestyle will find Clay County offers a straightforward, district-based school system. Consider local homes that provide easy access to Flora's central campuses or the smaller schools in Clay City.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.