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Best Public Schools in Clay County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Clay County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 81 public schools serving 42,284 students in Clay County, MO (there are 22 private schools, serving 3,679 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Clay County, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Clay County, MO are Epic Elementary School, Kearney High School and Nashua Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Clay County, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the Missouri public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Clay County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Missouri public school average of 33% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Clay County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Epic Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
650 Conistor Lane
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5730
Gr: K-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Kearney High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
715 E 19th St
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-4585
Gr: 10-12 | 814 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Nashua Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
221 Ne 114th St
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 321-5160
Gr: PK-5 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #44.
Shoal Creek Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
9000 Ne Flintlock Rd
Kansas City, MO 64157
(816) 736-7150
Gr: K-5 | 795 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #55.
Rising Hill Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7301 Ne 108th St.
Kansas City, MO 64157
(816) 321-5370
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #66.
Bell Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3000 Ne 108th St
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 321-5020
Gr: PK-5 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #77.
Horizon Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
695 S Commercial Ave
Smithville, MO 64089
(816) 532-4566
Gr: K-6 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Lewis And Clark Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1407 Nashua Rd
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5430
Gr: K-5 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #99.
Smithville High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
645 S Commercial Ave
Smithville, MO 64089
(816) 532-0405
Gr: 9-12 | 845 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1010.
Chapel Hill Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3220 Ne 67th Terr
Kansas City, MO 64119
(816) 321-5040
Gr: K-5 | 644 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1111.
Northview Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
9201 N Indiana
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 321-5170
Gr: K-5 | 656 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Fox Hill Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
545 Ne 106 St
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 321-5090
Gr: K-5 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Hawthorne Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1815 S Jefferson
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-4114
Gr: K-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1414.
Lens
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2215 South Campus Drive
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-4798
Gr: 4-5 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1515.
Kearney Jr. High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2215 S Campus St
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-2650
Gr: 8-9 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1616.
Southview Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7 S Campus Dr
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-4652
Gr: K-5 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1717.
Maple Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
600 Maple St
Smithville, MO 64089
(816) 532-0589
Gr: PK-6 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1818.
Gateway 6th Grade Center
(Math: 61% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9201 N Indiana Ave
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 321-5360
Gr: 6 | 882 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1919.
Alexander Doniphan Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1900 Clay Dr
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5400
Gr: K-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2020.
Kearney Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
200 E 5th St
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-4115
Gr: 6-7 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2121.
Staley High School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2800 Ne Shoal Creek Pkwy
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 321-5330
Gr: 9-12 | 2,091 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2222.
New Mark Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
515 Ne 106th St
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 321-5290
Gr: 7-8 | 965 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2323.
Liberty High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
200 Bluejay Dr
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5340
Gr: 9-12 | 1,842 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2424.
Discovery Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
800 Midjay Drive
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-7300
Gr: 6-8 | 678 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2525.
Eagle Heights Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
18801 Eagle Parkway
Smithville, MO 64089
(816) 532-5959
Gr: K-6 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2626.
Clardy Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
8100 N Troost
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5060
Gr: K-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2727.
Maplewood Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6400 Ne 52nd St
Kansas City, MO 64119
(816) 321-5140
Gr: PK-5 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2828.
Briarcliff Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4100 Nw Briarcliff Rd
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 321-5030
Gr: K-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Missouri City Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
700 E Main
Missouri City, MO 64072
(816) 750-4391
Gr: K-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Smithville Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
675 S Commercial Ave
Smithville, MO 64089
(816) 532-1122
Gr: 7-8 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #3131.
Heritage Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
600 W Kansas
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5380
Gr: 6-8 | 757 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #3232.
Meadowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6301 N Michigan Dr
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5150
Gr: K-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #3333.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 W Mill
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5440
Gr: K-5 | 223 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #34 - 3734. - 37.
Elkhorn Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
34684 Hwy 10
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-9270
Gr: K-5 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #34 - 3734. - 37.
Kearney Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
902 S Jefferson
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-4113
Gr: PK-5 | 223 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Clay County, MO?
The top-ranked public schools in Clay County, MO include Epic Elementary School, Kearney High School and Nashua Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Clay County?
81 public schools are located in Clay County.
What percentage of students in Clay County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Clay County are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Clay County?
Clay County public schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Missouri public schools average of 33% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Clay County are often viewed compared to one another?

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