| District | City | Rating | Students | Schools | Grades | Zip Codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri City 56 School District | Missouri City | 10/10 Excellent · 99th pct | 19 | 1 | K–8 | 1 |
| Smithville R-II School District | Smithville | 10/10 Excellent · 95th pct | 2,584 | 5 | PK–12 | 3 |
| Kearney R-I School District | Holt | 10/10 Excellent · 93rd pct | 3,561 | 9 | PK–12 | 3 |
| Liberty 53 School District | Liberty | 9/10 Excellent · 82nd pct | 12,367 | 20 | PK–12 | 3 |
| North Kansas City 74 School District | Kansas City | 8/10 Good · 79th pct | 20,561 | 34 | PK–12 | 7 |
| Excelsior Springs 40 School District | Excelsior Springs | 4/10 Below Average · 30th pct | 2,687 | 8 | PK–12 | 1 |
How Clay County compares
Together they enroll 41,779 students across 77 schools. The largest is North Kansas City 74 School District with 20,561 students. Districts here average 8.5/10, above the Missouri average of 5.6/10. Ratings range from 4/10 to 10/10.
School Districts in Clay County, Missouri
Clay County has 6 public school districts covering 18 zip codes. The top-rated district in Clay County is Missouri City 56 School District (10/10). Ratings are based on the share of students proficient in reading and math on state assessments (MAP 2025), ranked against all districts in Missouri. Directory details come from NCES CCD 2024–25.
Enter your zip code on any page to confirm your exact district assignment — district boundaries are address-specific and may not follow county or city lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many school districts are in Clay County, MO?
6 school districts serve zip codes in Clay County, MO. This page lists each one with its rating, enrollment, grade span and the zip codes it covers.
What is the best-rated school district in Clay County, MO?
Of the districts serving Clay County, Missouri City 56 School District has the highest rating on this site at 10/10. That places it in the 99th percentile among Missouri school districts.
How are these school district ratings calculated?
Each rating is the share of students scoring proficient or above on Missouri reading and math assessments, ranked against other districts in Missouri and converted to a 1–10 scale. Percentiles compare districts within Missouri only, never across state lines.