- Clay County Middle School — 3.0 mi · Grades 6–8 · 48 students
- Clay County Elementary — 3.0 mi · Grades PK–5 · 143 students
| Metric | Clay County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 200 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $32,234/yr | $17,619/yr | Small district — per-pupil varies |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County School District (this district) | 3/10 | 24th | 200 |
| Randolph County School District | 3/10 | 20th | 642 |
| Calhoun County School District | 1/10 | 9th | 467 |
| Quitman County School District | 1/10 | 2nd | 317 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 219 rated districts in GA → 24th percentile → 3/10.
Source: Georgia Dept. of Education Milestones EOG, grades 3–8 ELA & Math, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Clay County School District
Clay County School District serves zip code 39851, covering Fort Gaines, Georgia with grades Pre-K–8th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
With a rating of 3/10 (below average), Clay County School District ranks among Georgia’s below average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Georgia’s Milestones EOG grades 3–8 ELA & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Georgia is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
⚠️ Small-district caveat. Clay County School District enrolls 200 students. A percentile rank drawn from so few test-takers is statistically unstable — it can move several points from one year to the next on normal variation alone, and a single class of students can swing it. Treat this rating as a rough signal rather than a precise ranking, and look at the school-level detail below before drawing conclusions.
Clay County School District carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical Georgia benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 39851
Children in zip code 39851 are assigned to Clay County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–8th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 39851, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Clay County School District at (229)768-2232. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Georgia districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Fort Gaines
For families considering a purchase in the Fort Gaines area, district assignment matters financially. Because Clay County School District serves zip code 39851, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 39851. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Georgia, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Clay County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 39851.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Clay County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 39851 data.