Can I use Clay County's school score to choose a house?

No. Use the Clay County school score as a first-pass county screen, then verify the exact district, attendance boundary, transfer rules, and grade pathway for any address you are considering.

Does SchoolsByCounty confirm school attendance boundaries in Clay County?

No. SchoolsByCounty publishes NCES and Census-backed public-school records. Attendance zones, magnet eligibility, charter lotteries, transportation, and transfer rules must be confirmed with local districts.

How should parents compare public schools in Clay County?

Start with the 80 listed public schools and 6 district entries, then compare similar grade bands and confirm the address-level rules locally.

Clay County Schools & Education

Name: Clay County, Missouri Education Data
Creator: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Clay County, Missouri

NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data

School Score

58/100

Percentile-style score

Score Band

Midrange Signal

Graduation Rate

96.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

96.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 91.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,414

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,334

School Score

58/100

Percentile-style score

State avg 43/100

State Score Position

#11

of 115 counties by score

Education Data Brief: Clay County

Measured School Summary

Clay County performs at an average level with a school score of 58/100 and a solid graduation rate of 96.0%.

Funding Context

At $6,414 per pupil, Clay County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 36% above the Missouri average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% higher than the state norm.

School Data Brief

How to read Clay County before comparing districts

County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.

Local context that changes the interpretation

80 public schools and 6 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.

Overall screen

58/100

Mixed county signal. Ranks #11 of 115 Missouri counties with school score data.

Completion

96.0%

4.7 pts above the state average

Funding context

$6,414

$80 above the state average

School coverage

6 districts represented in the county school list.

Start with measured county context

This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.

Check the local school mix

Clay County has 80 public schools across 6 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.

Verify local rules

Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.

View Public Schools Compare Counties

Parent decision brief

What Clay County school data means before you move

County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.

Mixed school landscape

Clay County has enough school-level records to compare the local mix, but no single county metric should be treated as the answer. Use district shape, grade span, and data coverage together.

State position

#11

of 115 Missouri counties with school score data. The county score is 15 points above the state average.

Data confidence

Usable

3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.

K-12 continuity check

These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

Elementary to high school visible

20,561 students

Elementary 22Middle 6High 4Other 2

34 listed schools in this county slice.

LIBERTY 53

Elementary to high school visible

12,367 students

Elementary 11Middle 4High 4Other 1

20 listed schools in this county slice.

KEARNEY R-I

Elementary to high school visible

3,561 students

Elementary 5Middle 1High 1Other 2

9 listed schools in this county slice.

SMITHVILLE R-II

Elementary to high school visible

2,584 students

Elementary 3Middle 1High 1Other 0

5 listed schools in this county slice.

District reality check

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 is the largest listed district slice, with 34 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.

What the data cannot tell you

NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.

Questions to ask before choosing an address

Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Clay County?

Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Clay County district systems?

What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?

If we need a program not visible in the NCES flags, which district office can confirm current offerings?

Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?

Education Overview

About Schools in Clay County, Missouri

This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.

A Massive Education Hub with Eighty Schools

Clay County is a major educational center in Missouri, featuring 80 public schools and serving 41,675 students. The extensive network includes 44 elementary, 13 middle, and 16 high schools, plus several specialized alternative programs. This infrastructure supports six districts that range from urban centers to rural towns.

North Kansas City and Liberty Giants

North Kansas City 74 is the county’s largest district, managing 34 schools and over 20,500 students. Liberty 53 is also a major player with 20 schools and 12,367 students, together making up the bulk of the county's enrollment. Despite the large student population, the county does not currently have any charter schools.

From City Centers to Suburban Campuses

Clay County offers unmatched diversity in locales, with 30 city schools, 27 suburban schools, 14 in towns, and 9 in rural areas. The average school size is 556, but Liberty North High School is a standout with 2,326 students. This variety ensures every family can find a school environment that fits their specific needs.

School Overview

Total Schools

in Clay County

Reported Enrollment

41,675

80 schools reporting

School Districts

districts

Charter Schools

0% of total

School Level Breakdown

Elementary44

Middle13

High16

Other7

6 School Districts in Clay County

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

LIBERTY 53

KEARNEY R-I

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS 40

8 schools

2,687 students

SMITHVILLE R-II

5 schools

2,584 students

MISSOURI CITY 56

1 school

19 students

80 Public Schools in Clay County

Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 7 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.

NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data

Search schools

Level

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Showing 20 of 80 matching schools

Public schools in Clay County, including district, location, profile availability, grades, type, and enrollment.
School Name	Profile	District	Location	Grades	Type / Flags	Reported Enrollment
LIBERTY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL	Profile	LIBERTY 53	LIBERTY, 64068Rural: Fringe	9–12	High	2,326
LIBERTY HIGH	Profile	LIBERTY 53	LIBERTY, 64068Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,997
STALEY HIGH	Profile	NORTH KANSAS CITY 74	KANSAS CITY, 64156Rural: Fringe	9–12	High	1,897
OAK PARK HIGH	Profile	NORTH KANSAS CITY 74	KANSAS CITY, 64118City: Large	9–12	High	1,756
NORTH KANSAS CITY HIGH	Profile	NORTH KANSAS CITY 74	KANSAS CITY, 64116Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,640
WINNETONKA HIGH	Profile	NORTH KANSAS CITY 74	KANSAS CITY, 64119City: Large	9–12	High	1,284
NEW MARK MIDDLE	Profile	NORTH KANSAS CITY 74	KANSAS CITY, 64155City: Large	7–8	Middle	1,005
GATEWAY 6TH GRADE CENTER	Record	NORTH KANSAS CITY 74	Kansas City, 64156City: Large	6	Middle	923
SMITHVILLE HIGH	Record	SMITHVILLE R-II	SMITHVILLE, 64089Suburb: Large	9–12	High	906
SHOAL CREEK ELEM.	Record	LIBERTY 53	KANSAS CITY, 64157City: Large	KG–5	Primary	883
ANTIOCH MIDDLE	Record	NORTH KANSAS CITY 74	GLADSTONE, 64118Suburb: Large	7–8	Middle	865
KEARNEY HIGH	Record	KEARNEY R-I	KEARNEY, 64060Town: Fringe	10–12	High	824
SOUTH VALLEY MIDDLE	Record	LIBERTY 53	LIBERTY, 64068Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	791
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS HIGH	Record	EXCELSIOR SPRINGS 40	EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, 64024Town: Fringe	9–12	High	787
HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL	Record	LIBERTY 53	LIBERTY, 64068Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	777
BELL PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY	Record	NORTH KANSAS CITY 74	KANSAS CITY, 64156Rural: Fringe	PK–5	Primary	712
NORTHGATE MIDDLE	Record	NORTH KANSAS CITY 74	KANSAS CITY, 64118City: Large	7–8	Middle	689
NORTHVIEW ELEMENTARY	Record	NORTH KANSAS CITY 74	KANSAS CITY, 64156City: Large	KG–5	Primary	654
DISCOVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL	Record	LIBERTY 53	LIBERTY, 64068Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	653
LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL	Record	LIBERTY 53	LIBERTY, 64068Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	638

LIBERTY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

LIBERTY 53

LIBERTY, 64068 / Rural: Fringe

Profile9–12High2,326 students

LIBERTY HIGH

LIBERTY 53

LIBERTY, 64068 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,997 students

STALEY HIGH

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

KANSAS CITY, 64156 / Rural: Fringe

Profile9–12High1,897 students

OAK PARK HIGH

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

KANSAS CITY, 64118 / City: Large

Profile9–12High1,756 students

NORTH KANSAS CITY HIGH

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

KANSAS CITY, 64116 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,640 students

WINNETONKA HIGH

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

KANSAS CITY, 64119 / City: Large

Profile9–12High1,284 students

NEW MARK MIDDLE

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

KANSAS CITY, 64155 / City: Large

Profile7–8Middle1,005 students

GATEWAY 6TH GRADE CENTER

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

Kansas City, 64156 / City: Large

Record6Middle923 students

SMITHVILLE HIGH

SMITHVILLE R-II

SMITHVILLE, 64089 / Suburb: Large

Record9–12High906 students

SHOAL CREEK ELEM.

LIBERTY 53

KANSAS CITY, 64157 / City: Large

RecordKG–5Primary883 students

ANTIOCH MIDDLE

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

GLADSTONE, 64118 / Suburb: Large

Record7–8Middle865 students

KEARNEY HIGH

KEARNEY R-I

KEARNEY, 64060 / Town: Fringe

Record10–12High824 students

SOUTH VALLEY MIDDLE

LIBERTY 53

LIBERTY, 64068 / Suburb: Large

Record6–8Middle791 students

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS HIGH

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS 40

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, 64024 / Town: Fringe

Record9–12High787 students

HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL

LIBERTY 53

LIBERTY, 64068 / Suburb: Large

Record6–8Middle777 students

BELL PRAIRIE ELEMENTARY

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

KANSAS CITY, 64156 / Rural: Fringe

RecordPK–5Primary712 students

NORTHGATE MIDDLE

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

KANSAS CITY, 64118 / City: Large

Record7–8Middle689 students

NORTHVIEW ELEMENTARY

NORTH KANSAS CITY 74

KANSAS CITY, 64156 / City: Large

RecordKG–5Primary654 students

DISCOVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL

LIBERTY 53

LIBERTY, 64068 / Suburb: Large

Record6–8Middle653 students

LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL

LIBERTY 53

LIBERTY, 64068 / Suburb: Large

Record6–8Middle638 students

Education Funding Detail

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,414

State avg $6,334

Compare Nearby Counties

Review Clay County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.

Open Compare

Browse Public Schools

See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.

View Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Missouri counties have the highest graduation rates?

Dallas County (97.0%), Dent County (97.0%), and Howell County (97.0%) currently lead Missouri among counties with available NCES four-year adjusted cohort graduation-rate data. This answer is generated from the same dataset used in the county table and can change when federal data refreshes.

What is per-pupil spending like in Missouri?

Across Missouri counties with available NCES district-finance data, average per-pupil spending is $6,334. The highest current county values are St. Louis County ($9,027), Chariton County ($8,427), and Holt County ($8,173). Compare counties in the table before treating the statewide average as representative of a local district.

How should I read the school score in Clay County?

Clay County has a school score of 58/100, which is a midrange measured signal in this county-level index. This score is calculated from available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance data, with school-level records shown separately below.

What is the graduation rate in Clay County?

The high school graduation rate in Clay County is 96.0%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.

How much does Clay County spend per student?

Clay County spends $6,414 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. Current operating spending per fall enrollment, including instruction, support services, administration, transportation, and operations. It excludes capital outlays and debt service in the SchoolsByCounty methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Clay County, Missouri — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Clay County, Missouri?

What are the major school districts in Clay County, Missouri?

What is the school experience like in Clay County?

Counties with Similar School Profile

Lewis County

Missouri

-1 pts

58/100

School score

Howell County

Missouri

-1 pts

58/100

School score

Shelby County

Missouri

+1 pts

59/100

School score

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated May 13, 2026Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.

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