📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (MAP 2025), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
All 6 Rated Districts in Clay County, MO
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
| County Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Missouri City 56 School District | Missouri City | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #2 | Smithville R-II School District | Smithville | 10/10 Excellent | 95th |
| #3 | Kearney R-I School District | Kearney | 10/10 Excellent | 93rd |
| #4 | Liberty 53 School District | Liberty | 9/10 Excellent | 82nd |
| #5 | North Kansas City 74 School District | Kansas City | 8/10 Good | 79th |
| #6 | Excelsior Springs 40 School District | Excelsior Springs | 4/10 Below Average | 30th |
Best School Districts in Clay County, Missouri (2026)
This page lists the 6 public school districts headquartered in Clay County, Missouri that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using MAP 2025 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in Missouri, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Clay County may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Clay County, Missouri? ▼
Among the 6 rated districts in Clay County, Missouri, the highest-rated is Missouri City 56 School District (Missouri City), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 99th percentile of Missouri districts on MAP 2025 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (MAP 2025), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in Missouri and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.