For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 1,093 students in Clay County, NE (there are 1 private school, serving 28 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Clay County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Clay County, NE are Sutton Secondary School, Sutton Elementary School and Sandy Creek Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Clay County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Clay County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Clay County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Sutton Secondary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1107 N Saunders
Sutton, NE 68979
(402) 773-4303
Sutton, NE 68979
(402) 773-4303
Grades: 7-12
| 179 students
Rank: #22.
Sutton Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1107 N Saunders
Sutton, NE 68979
(402) 773-4423
Sutton, NE 68979
(402) 773-4423
Grades: PK-6
| 217 students
Rank: #33.
Sandy Creek Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
30671 Highway 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 762-3561
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 762-3561
Grades: 6-8
| 97 students
Rank: #44.
Harvard High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
506 E North St
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Grades: 9-12
| 60 students
Rank: #55.
Sandy Creek Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
30671 Hwy 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2412
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2412
Grades: PK-5
| 275 students
Rank: #66.
Harvard Middle School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
506 East North Street
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Grades: 6-8
| 45 students
Rank: #77.
Sandy Creek High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
30671 Hwy 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2151
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2151
Grades: 9-12
| 117 students
Rank: #88.
Harvard Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
506 E North St
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Grades: PK-5
| 103 students
Clay County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
200 North Center
Clay Center, NE 68933
(402) 762-3561
Clay Center, NE 68933
(402) 762-3561
Grades: PK-6
| 94 students
200 North Center
Clay Center, NE 68933
(402) 762-3561
Clay Center, NE 68933
(402) 762-3561
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
30671 Hwy 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2151
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2151
Grades: PK
| 63 students
305 East Ninth
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2287
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2287
Grades: PK
| n/a students
3035 E Saddlehorn Bx 215
Glenvil, NE 68941
(402) 771-2267
Glenvil, NE 68941
(402) 771-2267
Grades: K-6
| 8 students
200 North Center
Clay Center, NE 68933
(402) 762-3561
Clay Center, NE 68933
(402) 762-3561
Grades: PK-6
| 44 students
511 Miles St Box 94
Trumbull, NE 68980
(402) 743-2307
Trumbull, NE 68980
(402) 743-2307
Grades: PK-6
| 6 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Clay County, NE?
The top ranked public schools in Clay County, NE include Sutton Secondary School, Sutton Elementary School and Sandy Creek Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Clay County?
8 public schools are located in Clay County.
What percentage of students in Clay County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Clay County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Clay County?
Clay County public schools minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Clay County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Clay County include: Harvard High School vs. Sandy Creek High School, Sandy Creek High School vs. Sutton Secondary School, Sutton Secondary School vs. Sandy Creek High School
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.