For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 1,093 students in Clay County, NE (there are , serving 28 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Clay County, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top-ranked public schools in Clay County, NE are Sandy Creek Middle School, Sutton Secondary School and Sandy Creek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Clay County, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Clay County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Clay County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sandy Creek Middle School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
30671 Highway 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 762-3561
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 762-3561
Gr: 6-8 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Sutton Secondary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1107 N Saunders
Sutton, NE 68979
(402) 773-4303
Sutton, NE 68979
(402) 773-4303
Gr: 7-12 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Sandy Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
30671 Hwy 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2412
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2412
Gr: PK-5 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Sutton Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1107 N Saunders
Sutton, NE 68979
(402) 773-4423
Sutton, NE 68979
(402) 773-4423
Gr: PK-6 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #55.
Harvard High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
506 E North St
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Gr: 9-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #66.
Sandy Creek High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
30671 Hwy 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2151
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2151
Gr: 9-12 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #77.
Harvard Middle School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
506 East North Street
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Gr: 6-8 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #88.
Harvard Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
506 E North St
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Harvard, NE 68944
(402) 772-2171
Gr: PK-5 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Clay County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
200 North Center
Clay Center, NE 68933
(402) 762-3561
Clay Center, NE 68933
(402) 762-3561
Gr: PK-6 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
30671 Hwy 14
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2151
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2151
Gr: PK | 63 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
305 East Ninth
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2287
Fairfield, NE 68938
(402) 726-2287
Gr: PK
3035 E Saddlehorn Bx 215
Glenvil, NE 68941
(402) 771-2267
Glenvil, NE 68941
(402) 771-2267
Gr: K-6 | 8 students
200 North Center
Clay Center, NE 68933
(402) 762-3561
Clay Center, NE 68933
(402) 762-3561
Gr: PK-6 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
511 Miles St Box 94
Trumbull, NE 68980
(402) 743-2307
Trumbull, NE 68980
(402) 743-2307
Gr: PK-6 | 6 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Clay County, NE?
The top-ranked public schools in Clay County, NE include Sandy Creek Middle School, Sutton Secondary School and Sandy Creek Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Clay County?
8 public schools are located in Clay County.
What percentage of students in Clay County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Clay County are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Clay County?
Clay County public schools minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Clay County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Clay County include: Harvard High School vs. Sandy Creek High School, Sandy Creek High School vs. Sutton Secondary School, Sutton Secondary School vs. Sandy Creek High School
Recent Articles
Multilingual Learner Growth Models & Accountability
Learn how multilingual learner growth models are reshaping school accountability systems and what it means for public schools in 2026.
School-Based Health Clinics: Funding, Billing, and Student Access
Learn how school-based health clinics are funded, how billing works, and how students access care in public schools.
Outdoor Learning in Urban Schools: Forest School Programs
Explore how urban districts adopt outdoor learning and forest school programs to boost student engagement, well-being, and academic success.