Photo: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0Manchester’s public schools outscore 55% of Kentucky districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Manchester, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kentucky, not nationally.
From Kentucky 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.
Manchester’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 29 Kentucky towns with household incomes within a quarter of Manchester’s, its schools beat 69%, higher than their 55% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 47% and math 40% in spring 2022, against 45% and 38% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 91%. Test scores ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $13,696 per student in FY2024, against $14,752 across Kentucky. 38% of its revenue that year was federal (Kentucky 17%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Clay County Middle School, then Clay County High School. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Horse Creek Learning Center, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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.
What’s behind Manchester’s grade
B: better than 55% of Kentucky school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Kentucky average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Manchester, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Manchester
Clay County Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 387 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Manchester
Clay County Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 387 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Manchester
Clay County High School
Grades 9–12 · 762 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Manchester
Clay County High School
Grades 9–12 · 762 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Manchester
Clay County High School
Grades 9–12 · 762 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Manchester
Clay County High School
Grades 9–12 · 762 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Manchester’s public schools are run by Clay 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.
Above the state in reading
Manchester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kentucky towns that share Manchester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | B | Clay County |
Every school in Manchester
10 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kentucky’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Manchester’s schools
Are Manchester’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Kentucky: the public schools Manchester children attend outscore 55% of Kentucky’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 69%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Manchester in?
Clay County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,928 students in 10 schools (2024–25).
Where do Manchester kids go to high school?
Clay County High School, with 762 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Manchester’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Clay County School District graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky.
How much does Manchester spend per student?
$13,696 in Clay County School District (FY2024), against $14,752 across Kentucky. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Manchester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Manchester → 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 Kentucky. Stars are from neighbors.