Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Clayton

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
DE 6 EB past Smyrna Avenue ClaytonPhoto: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0
B
Schools in Clayton · Smyrna School District

Clayton’s public schools outscore 57% of Delaware districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Clayton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Delaware, not nationally.

#13of 37 Delaware townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Delaware state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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
39%
▼ 3 pts vs DE 42%
2021–22
Math proficiency
26%
▼ 3 pts vs DE 29%
2021–22
Graduate on time
93%
▲ 4 pts vs DE 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.1K
▼ 28% vs DE $22.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.3
DE 14.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
4
3,765 students on the public path
In brief

Clayton’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 26% in math, against 42% and 29% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Delaware. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,150 per student, against $22,312 across Delaware (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Smyrna Middle School, then Smyrna High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Providence Creek Academy Charter School and First State Military Academy are in town. Every school ↓

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 Clayton’s grade

B− Test scoresB Graduation

B: better than 57% of Delaware school districts, #13 of 37 Delaware towns. Graduation is above the Delaware average; test scores are below it.

Delaware school districts we grade (42)Better than 57%
Lower resultsHigher results
Delaware towns with similar household incomes (30)Better than 53%
B−B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,248 test results and a graduating class of 439 could put Clayton anywhere from B− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Clayton’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,247 in math, 3,249 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–4Clayton Elementary SchoolSmyrna School DistrictB−
7–8Smyrna Middle Schoolin SmyrnaB−
9–12Smyrna High Schoolin SmyrnaB

Clayton’s public schools are run by Smyrna School District, which also serves Kenton, Leipsic and Smyrna. 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.

Smyrna School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 8 schools · 5,887 students · 16.3 per teacher (DE 14.7)
$16,150DE $22,312 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading39%
State average 42.2% · 3249 students tested
Math26%
State average 29.2% · 3247 students tested

Clayton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Delaware towns that share Clayton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ClaytonBSmyrna
SmyrnaBSmyrna

Every school in Clayton

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

District schools in Claytonby address
Clayton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
B−
487 students17:1Rate it →
Clayton Intermediate School
Middle · Grades 5–6
B+
490 students18:1Rate it →
Also serving Claytonin other towns
Smyrna Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Smyrna
B−
1,011 students17:1Rate it →
Smyrna High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Smyrna
B
1,777 students18:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Providence Creek Academy Charter School
Elementary · Grades K–8
B
Charter
769 students16:1Rate it →
First State Military Academy
High · Grades 9–12
C+
Charter
433 students18:1Rate it →

Questions about Clayton’s schools

Are Clayton’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Delaware: the public schools Clayton children attend outscore 57% of Delaware’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #13 of 37 Delaware towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 53%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Clayton in?

Smyrna School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,887 students in 8 schools (2024–25).

Where do Clayton kids go to high school?

Smyrna High School in Smyrna, with 1,777 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Clayton’s graduation rate?

93% of the class of 2023 in Smyrna School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Delaware.

How much does Clayton spend per student?

$16,150 in Smyrna School District (FY2024), against $22,312 across Delaware. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Clayton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Clayton → 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 Delaware. Stars are from neighbors.