Clay County Schools

Item: Clay County Schools
Rating: 8
Author: Public School Review

154 Yellow Jacket Drive
Hayesville, NC 28904

( shown in map)

Top 30%

Tel: (828) 389-8513

www.clayschools.org

Top Rankings

Clay County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

4 Schools

2,170 Schools

# Students

1,301 Students

1,090,293 Students

# Teachers

91 Teachers

73,854 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	72	66
Kind	98	312
1	105	325
2	112	335
3	78	318
4	79	325
5	100	328
6	100	330
7	93	322
8	90	328

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

District Rank

Clay County Schools, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 87% has increased from 85-89% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#97 out of 325 school districts
(Top 30%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Clay County Schools
2023	#97
2022	#97
2021	#128
2019	#163
2018	#159
2017	#195
2016	#157
2015	#135
2014	#115
2013	#83
2012	#141

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(21-22)

60%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2022	60%	51%
2021	47%	42%
2019	42%	42%
2018	39%	48%
2017	41%	47%
2016	41%	47%
2015	41%	44%
2014	41%	43%
2013	44%	42%
2012	78%	82%
2011	82%	82%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

55%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2022	55%	50%
2021	50%	47%
2019	40%	46%
2018	39%	47%
2017	40%	46%
2016	47%	47%
2015	47%	46%
2014	47%	46%
2013	48%	45%
2012	73%	73%
2011	78%	70%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

68%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2022	68%	63%
2021	73%	61%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(21-22)

75-79%

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2022	77%	86%
2021	87%	85%
2020	92%	86%
2019	92%	85%
2018	87%	86%
2017	87%	88%
2016	82%	88%
2015	82%	87%
2014	92%	86%
2013	87%	85%
2012	87%	83%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.26

0.72

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.23	0.71
2022	0.23	0.70
2021	0.21	0.69
2020	0.21	0.68
2019	0.21	0.68
2018	0.20	0.67
2017	0.20	0.67
2016	0.18	0.66
2015	0.22	0.66
2014	0.14	0.65
2013	0.13	0.65
2012	0.13	0.64
2011	0.11	0.64
2010	0.09	0.61
2009	0.09	0.61
2008	0.07	0.61
2007	0.05	0.60
2006	0.04	0.58
2005	0.04	0.58
2004	0.05	0.57
2003	0.06	0.56
2002	0.05	0.55
2001	0.04	0.53
2000	0.03	0.53
1999	0.04	0.52
1998	0.02	0.52
1997	0.02	0.50
1996	0.03	0.50
1995	0.03	0.49
1994	0.01	0.48
1993	0.04	0.48
1992	0.01	0.48
1991	0.02	0.48

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2021	1%	1%
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
1999	1%	2%
1996	1%	2%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2003)
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2003	1%	2%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hispanic

21%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2023	9%	20%
2022	8%	20%
2021	8%	19%
2020	8%	18%
2019	8%	18%
2018	9%	17%
2017	9%	17%
2016	8%	16%
2015	3%	16%
2014	5%	15%
2013	5%	14%
2012	5%	13%
2011	4%	13%
2010	3%	11%
2009	2%	11%
2008	4%	11%
2007	2%	10%
2004	2%	7%
2003	1%	6%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Black

25%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2021)
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2021	1%	25%
2020	1%	25%
2019	1%	25%
2014	1%	26%
2013	1%	26%
2012	1%	26%
2011	1%	26%
2010	2%	31%
2009	2%	31%
2007	1%	29%
2006	2%	32%
2005	2%	31%
2004	1%	31%
2003	1%	31%
2002	1%	31%
2001	2%	31%
2000	1%	31%
1999	1%	31%
1998	1%	30%
1993	1%	30%
1991	1%	30%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% White

85%

43%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2023	87%	44%
2022	88%	45%
2021	89%	46%
2020	88%	48%
2019	88%	48%
2018	89%	49%
2017	89%	49%
2016	90%	50%
2015	30%	50%
2014	93%	51%
2013	93%	52%
2012	93%	53%
2011	94%	53%
2010	95%	54%
2009	96%	54%
2008	96%	55%
2007	97%	56%
2006	98%	56%
2005	98%	57%
2004	97%	58%
2003	97%	59%
2002	98%	60%
2001	98%	61%
2000	99%	61%
1999	98%	62%
1998	99%	63%
1997	100%	64%
1996	99%	64%
1995	100%	65%
1994	99%	66%
1993	98%	66%
1992	100%	66%
1991	99%	66%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2023	3%	6%
2022	3%	5%
2021	1%	5%
2020	2%	5%
2019	2%	5%
2018	2%	4%
2017	2%	4%
2016	2%	4%
2015	3%	4%
2014	1%	4%
2013	1%	4%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,883 is higher than the state median of $11,192. The school district revenue/student has grown by 10% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $12,477 is higher than the state median of $11,617. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$17 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$17 MM	$8 MM
2022	$16 MM	$8 MM
2021	$17 MM	$8 MM
2020	$16 MM	$8 MM
2019	$16 MM	$8 MM
2018	$15 MM	$8 MM
2017	$14 MM	$8 MM
2016	$14 MM	$8 MM
2015	$14 MM	$18 MM
2014	$14 MM	$10 MM
2012	$13 MM	$17 MM
2011	$14 MM	$19 MM
2010	$14 MM	$18 MM
2009	$14 MM	$19 MM
2008	$14 MM	$18 MM
2007	$13 MM	$18 MM
2006	$12 MM	$15 MM
2005	$12 MM	$15 MM
2004	$12 MM	$17 MM
2003	$12 MM	$17 MM
2002	$11 MM	$16 MM
2001	$10 MM	$17 MM
2000	$10 MM	$20 MM
1999	$11 MM	$23 MM
1998	$10 MM	$26 MM
1997	$8 MM	$34 MM
1996	$7 MM	$34 MM
1995	$7 MM	$32 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending

$16 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$16 MM	$8 MM
2022	$16 MM	$8 MM
2021	$16 MM	$8 MM
2020	$16 MM	$8 MM
2019	$16 MM	$7 MM
2018	$15 MM	$8 MM
2017	$14 MM	$9 MM
2016	$14 MM	$8 MM
2015	$14 MM	$18 MM
2014	$14 MM	$11 MM
2012	$14 MM	$16 MM
2011	$14 MM	$17 MM
2010	$14 MM	$18 MM
2009	$14 MM	$18 MM
2008	$14 MM	$17 MM
2007	$13 MM	$18 MM
2006	$12 MM	$15 MM
2005	$12 MM	$15 MM
2004	$12 MM	$16 MM
2003	$12 MM	$17 MM
2002	$10 MM	$15 MM
2001	$10 MM	$17 MM
2000	$10 MM	$20 MM
1999	$11 MM	$24 MM
1998	$10 MM	$26 MM
1997	$8 MM	$36 MM
1996	$7 MM	$33 MM
1995	$7 MM	$32 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Revenue / Student

$12,883

$11,192

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$12,756	$10,093
2022	$11,685	$9,918
2021	$13,430	$10,282
2020	$11,685	$9,918
2019	$11,750	$9,125
2018	$10,818	$9,419
2017	$10,393	$10,522
2016	$10,063	$9,128
2015	$10,316	$10,864
2014	$10,955	$9,046
2012	$9,457	$10,562
2011	$10,113	$12,703
2010	$9,951	$10,864
2009	$9,637	$11,105
2008	$9,852	$11,767
2007	$9,194	$9,479
2006	$9,345	$9,335
2005	$8,889	$8,913
2004	$9,349	$8,734
2003	$9,169	$8,577
2002	$8,377	$8,130
2001	$8,159	$7,294
2000	$7,649	$7,636
1999	$8,450	$7,252
1998	$7,530	$5,688
1997	$6,011	$5,690
1995	$5,597	$5,545
1992	$4,717	$4,737

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending / Student

$12,477

$11,617

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Clay County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$12,353	$9,807
2022	$11,684	$9,654
2021	$13,006	$9,990
2020	$11,684	$9,654
2019	$11,931	$8,949
2018	$11,031	$9,637
2017	$10,355	$11,583
2016	$10,352	$9,753
2015	$10,004	$10,591
2014	$10,458	$9,388
2012	$9,663	$10,336
2011	$9,715	$11,927
2010	$9,650	$10,591
2009	$9,795	$10,880
2008	$9,743	$11,136
2007	$8,969	$9,418
2006	$9,165	$8,813
2005	$8,831	$8,647
2004	$9,396	$8,413
2003	$9,663	$8,886
2002	$7,933	$7,903
2001	$7,728	$7,301
2000	$7,506	$7,650
1999	$8,499	$7,340
1998	$7,520	$5,663
1997	$5,951	$6,040
1995	$5,605	$5,570
1992	$4,692	$4,725

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Best Clay County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Hayesville Elementary School

(Math: 65% | Reading: 54%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

72 Elementary School Drive
Hayesville, NC 28904
(828) 389-8586

Gr: 3-5 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%

Rank: #22.

Hayesville Middle School

(Math: 56% | Reading: 53%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

135 School Drive
Hayesville, NC 28904
(828) 389-9924

Gr: 6-8 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Rank: n/an/a

Hayesville Primary School

Add to Compare

698 Anderson St
Hayesville, NC 28904
(828) 389-3763

Gr: PK-2 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%

Recent Articles

January 18, 2026

Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide

Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.

January 17, 2026

No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy

Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.

January 17, 2026

Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide

Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.

Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 4 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 1,301 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 15%
: 75-79% (Top 20% in NC)
: Top 30%
: 60% (Top 30%)
: 55% (Top 50%)
: 68% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education