For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 2,925 students in Clay County, KY (there are , serving 349 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Clay County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Clay County, KY are Burning Springs Elementary School, Manchester Elementary School and Horse Creek Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Clay County, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Clay County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Clay County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Burning Springs Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9847 N Hwy 421
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3138
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3138
Grades: PK-6
| 305 students
Rank: #22.
Manchester Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1908 N Hwy 421
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3444
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3444
Grades: PK-6
| 413 students
Rank: #33.
Horse Creek Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
239 Richmond Rd
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-1601
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-1601
Grades: 3-12
| 53 students
Rank: #44.
Oneida Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
435 Newfound Rd
Oneida, KY 40972
(606) 598-2168
Oneida, KY 40972
(606) 598-2168
Grades: PK-6
| 114 students
Rank: #55.
Goose Rock Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
364 Hwy 1524
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3740
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3740
Grades: PK-6
| 224 students
Rank: #66.
Paces Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1983 S Hwy 421
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-6333
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-6333
Grades: K-6
| 267 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Big Creek Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
523 N Hwy 66
Oneida, KY 40972
(606) 598-2812
Oneida, KY 40972
(606) 598-2812
Grades: PK-6
| 124 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Hacker Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
84 Hooker Rd
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3338
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3338
Grades: PK-6
| 273 students
Rank: #99.
Clay County Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
239 Richmond Rd
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-1810
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-1810
Grades: 7-8
| 396 students
Rank: #1010.
Clay County High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
415 Clay Co High Rd
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3737
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3737
Grades: 9-12
| 756 students
Rank: n/an/a
Clay County Area Technology Center
Vocational School
1097 North Hwy 11
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-2194
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-2194
Grades: 8-12
| n/a students
Clay County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1983 South Highway 421
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-2189
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-2189
Grades: PK
| 1 students
1342 South Hwy. 421
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3607
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3607
Grades: K-6
| 258 students
1203 N Hwy 11
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3390
Manchester, KY 40962
(606) 598-3390
Grades: K-6
| 155 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Clay County, KY?
The top ranked public schools in Clay County, KY include Burning Springs Elementary School, Manchester Elementary School and Horse Creek Learning Center.
How many public schools are located in Clay County?
11 public schools are located in Clay County.
What percentage of students in Clay County go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Clay County are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Clay County?
Clay County public schools minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Kentucky public schools average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Clay County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Clay County include: Hacker Elementary School vs. Manchester Elementary School, Manchester Elementary School vs. Hacker Elementary School, Goose Rock Elementary School vs. Burning Springs Elementary School
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
