Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public High Schools in Clay County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Clay County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public high schools serving 14,066 students in Clay County, MO.
The top-ranked public high schools in Clay County, MO are Kearney High School, Smithville High School and Kearney Jr. High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Clay County, MO public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Missouri public high school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Clay County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Missouri public high schools.
Clay County, MO public high school have a Graduation Rate of 95%, which is more than the Missouri average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is North Kansas City High School, with 98% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Missouri or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Missouri public high school average of 31% (majority Black).

Best Public High Schools in Clay County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #66.
Liberty North High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1000 N.e. 104th Street
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,262 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #77.
Excelsior Springs High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
612 Tiger Dr
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-9210
Gr: 9-12 | 764 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #88.
North Kansas City High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
620 E 23rd Ave
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 321-5310
Gr: 9-12 | 1,719 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #99.
Oak Park High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
825 Ne 79th Terr
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5320
Gr: 9-12 | 1,755 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1010.
Excelsior Springs Tech. High School
Vocational School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
701 St Louis Ave
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-5501
Gr: 10-12 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1111.
Winnetonka High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5815 Ne 48th St
Kansas City, MO 64119
(816) 321-5340
Gr: 9-12 | 1,238 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1212.
Maple Valley School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2575 Ne Barry Rd
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 437-3711
Gr: K-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1313.
Liberty Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1115 Blackberry Drive
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5470
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Center For Educ. Development
Alternative School
2000 Ne 46th St
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 413-5000
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Excelsior Springs Career Center
Vocational School
614 Tiger Dr
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-9240
Gr: 11-12
Rank: n/an/a
Juvenile Justice Center
Alternative School
8 Victory Lane
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5300
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Northwest Reg. Youth Center
4901 Ne Barry Rd
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 734-2120
Gr: 6-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: n/an/a
Star School
731 Ne 76th St
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 437-3607
Gr: 6-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Clay County, MO?
The top-ranked public high schools in Clay County, MO include Kearney High School, Smithville High School and Kearney Jr. High School.
How many public high schools are located in Clay County?
18 public high schools are located in Clay County.
What is the racial composition of students in Clay County?
Clay County public high schools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Missouri public high schools average of 31% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Clay County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (MO):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
 School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
 Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?

More Articles

Teaching
Local School Topics
Opinion
Evaluating Public Schools
Public School Jobs