At a glance
Reported students
700
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
42.68
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
16.4:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Iowa elementary enrollment
98th percentile
Compared with 663 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
467.5
Clay Elementary: 700 reported students.
State peer staffing position
94th percentile
16.4:1 reported; state peer median 13.3:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 629
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37.91
- Student–teacher ratio
- 16.6:1
What the reported data says about Clay Elementary
Clay Elementary is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Altoona. It is one of 11 current school records connected to Southeast Polk Comm School District. NCES reports 700 students for 2024–25.
Among 663 elementary schools in Iowa with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 322 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 98th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 16.4:1, above the Iowa median of 13.3:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (60.4%) and Hispanic or Latino (14.9%). English learners represent 7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 9.9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Clay Elementary
- 1How do the reported 16.4:1 student–teacher ratio and 42.68 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 7%
- Students with disabilities
- 9.9%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 36.1%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1.5
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White60.4%
- Hispanic14.9%
- Black14%
- Asian3.1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial7.6%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Southeast Polk Comm School District
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Willowbrook Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
523 reported students
Four Mile Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
495 reported students
Delaware Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
440 reported students
Altoona Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
429 reported students
Centennial Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
423 reported students
Runnells Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
260 reported students
Public schools near Clay Elementary
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial Elementary Elementary · Southeast Polk Comm School District | PK–05 | 423 | 1.4 mi |
| Altoona Elementary Elementary · Southeast Polk Comm School District | PK–05 | 429 | 1.7 mi |
| Willowbrook Elementary Elementary · Southeast Polk Comm School District | PK–05 | 523 | 2.1 mi |
| Four Mile Elementary Elementary · Southeast Polk Comm School District | PK–05 | 495 | 3 mi |
| Delaware Elementary Elementary · Southeast Polk Comm School District | PK–05 | 440 | 3.1 mi |
| Brubaker Elementary School Elementary · Des Moines Independent Comm School District | KG–05 | 622 | 3.5 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Clay Elementary
What grades does Clay Elementary serve?
Clay Elementary reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Southeast Polk Comm School District.
How many students attend Clay Elementary?
Clay Elementary reported 700 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 98th percentile among 663 Iowa elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 629 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Clay Elementary?
The calculated ratio is 16.4:1, based on 700 students and 42.68 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Iowa median for the same school level is 13.3:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Clay Elementary a public, charter, or magnet school?
Clay Elementary is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Southeast Polk Comm School District attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Clay Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
36.1% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Clay Elementary in?
Clay Elementary is part of Southeast Polk Comm School District, based in Pleasant Hill, IA, which operates 11 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Clay Elementary?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Centennial Elementary (1.4 mi), Altoona Elementary (1.7 mi), Willowbrook Elementary (2.1 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.