| Metric | Clay Community Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 4,040 | 3,700 | ≈ Near average |
| Number of Schools | 10 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $9,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Community Schools (this district) | 9/10 | 83rd | 4,040 |
| Munster School Town | 10/10 | 98th | 4,136 |
| Hammond School City | 2/10 | 11th | 11,505 |
| Griffith Public Schools | 6/10 | 51st | 1,966 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 377 rated districts in IN → 83rd percentile → 9/10.
Source: Indiana Dept. of Education ILEARN, grades 3–8 Corporation Total proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Clay Community Schools
Zip code 47857 in Knightsville, Indiana is served by Clay Community Schools for public school enrollment. The district covers grades K–12. This page provides a data-driven overview of Clay Community Schools’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Clay Community Schools runs approximately $9,500 annually, placing it near the Indiana state average of approximately $9,500 and significantly below the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts with constrained budgets face challenges with class sizes, program breadth, and facility upkeep. Ask specifically about available services when enrolling. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Clay Community Schools is a mid-sized district with 10 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 4,040 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Clay Community Schools 6 out of 10 — average among Indiana public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Indiana’s ILEARN grades 3–8 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 Indiana is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Clay Community Schools falls near the middle of Indiana on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 47857
Children in zip code 47857 are assigned to Clay Community Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 47857, 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 Community Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Indiana 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 Knightsville
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Clay Community Schools serves zip code 47857, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 47857. 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 Indiana, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Clay Community Schools 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 47857.
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, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Clay Community Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 47857 data.