The majority of students in Clay County schools were white in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Of the 2,796 students attending Clay County schools, 95.7% were white. African American students were the second most represented ethnicity, making up 1.7%.
In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Clay County schools, representing 96.4% of the student body.
Burning Springs Elementary School and Paces Creek Elementary School had the most diverse student body in the county, which included African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, multiracial, and white students.
In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in schools in the county dropped to 1.8% compared to the previous year.
Kentucky is in the midst of a statewide teacher shortage as turnover rates spiked to 10.9% in 2023, up from an 8.9% nine-year average. This issue is more prominent in schools with more low-income and minority students.
Between 2019 and 2023, there was an increase of 260% in the number of available teaching posts in Kentucky schools. This often leads to larger class sizes, combining programs, and retaining staff despite potential negative impacts on teacher working conditions.
| School | Most Prevalent | Percent of Total Student Body | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County High School | White | 94.9% | 803 |
| Manchester Elementary School | White | 94.5% | 477 |
| Clay County Middle School | White | 96.7% | 421 |
| Burning Springs Elementary School | White | 96.8% | 349 |
| Paces Creek Elementary School | White | 94.2% | 342 |
| Hacker Elementary School | White | 99% | 287 |
| Goose Rock Elementary School | White | 94.9% | 254 |
| Big Creek Elementary School | White | 95.1% | 162 |
| Horse Creek Learning Center | White | 94% | 150 |
| Oneida Elementary School | White | 100% | 137 |