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City Hall, Clay ALPhoto: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0
C
Schools in Clay · Jefferson County School District

Clay’s public schools score below 69% of Alabama districts on tests and graduation

In Clay, 15% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Alabama average (27%). The grade covers the public school district serving Clay, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Alabama, not nationally.

#133of 187 Alabama townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Alabama state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
36%
▼ 11 pts vs AL 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
15%
▼ 12 pts vs AL 27%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 1 pts vs AL 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.6K
▼ 9% vs AL $13.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.5
AL 17.0
Schools in town
4
3,642 students on the public path
In brief

Clay’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 179 Alabama towns with household incomes within a quarter of Clay’s, its schools beat 13%, lower than their 31% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 47% and 27% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,625 per student, against $13,926 across Alabama (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is ClayChalkville Middle School, then ClayChalkville High School. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Clay’s grade

C− Test scoresC+ Graduation

C: better than 31% of Alabama school districts, #133 of 187 Alabama towns. Graduation is above the Alabama average; test scores are below it.

Alabama school districts we grade (146)Better than 31%
Lower resultsHigher results
Alabama towns with similar household incomes (179)Better than 13%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 18,336 test results and a graduating class of 2,789 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Clay’s students in the tested grades sat them (18,411 in math, 18,262 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Clay, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC+
6–8ClayChalkville Middle SchoolJefferson County School DistrictC−
9–12ClayChalkville High SchoolJefferson County School DistrictD

Clay’s public schools are run by Jefferson County School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Jefferson County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 55 schools · 35,444 students · 17.5 per teacher (AL 17.0)
$12,625AL $13,926 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading36%
State average 47.3% · 18262 students tested
Math15%
State average 27.2% · 18411 students tested

Clay vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Alabama towns that share Clay’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ClayCJefferson County
TrussvilleA+Trussville City
PinsonCJefferson County
Center PointCJefferson County

2 of the 3 neighbors share Jefferson County with Clay, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Clay

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Alabama’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Clayby address
Bryant Park Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Birmingham
C+
707 students17:1Rate it →
Clay Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
606 students17:1Rate it →
ClayChalkville Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Trussville
C−
952 students16:1Rate it →
ClayChalkville High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Pinson
D
1,377 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Clay’s schools

Are Clay’s schools good?

On Alabama’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Clay children attend score below 69% of Alabama’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #133 of 187 Alabama towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 13%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Clay in?

Jefferson County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 35,444 students in 55 schools (2024–25).

Where do Clay kids go to high school?

ClayChalkville High School in Pinson, with 1,377 students; its own test results earn a D.

What is Clay’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Jefferson County School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama.

How much does Clay spend per student?

$12,625 in Jefferson County School District (FY2024), against $13,926 across Alabama. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Clay families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Clay → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Alabama. Stars are from neighbors.