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Clifton, AZ train stationPhoto: Ron Reiring · CC BY-SA 2.0
B+
Schools in Clifton · Morenci Unified District

Clifton’s public schools outscore 72% of Arizona districts

92% of Clifton’s students graduate on time, above the Arizona average (78%). The grade covers the public school district serving Clifton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arizona, not nationally.

#27of 139 Arizona townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Arizona state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
44%
▲ 4 pts vs AZ 40%
2021–22
Math proficiency
41%
▲ 6 pts vs AZ 35%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 12–16 pts vs AZ 78%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.8K
▼ 4% vs AZ $12.3K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.0
AZ 17.2 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
1,536 students on the public path
In brief

Clifton’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 131 Arizona towns with household incomes within a quarter of Clifton’s, its schools beat 87%, higher than their 72% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 44% and math 41% in spring 2022, against 40% and 35% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 78%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,765 per student, against $12,318 across Arizona (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is Fairbanks Middle School, then Morenci High School. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Clifton’s grade

B+ Test scoresA− Graduation

B+: better than 72% of Arizona school districts, #27 of 139 Arizona towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Arizona average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Arizona school districts we grade (577)Better than 72%
Lower resultsHigher results
Arizona towns with similar household incomes (131)Better than 87%
B+A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 652 test results and a graduating class of 87 could put Clifton anywhere from B+ to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Clifton’s students in the tested grades sat them (648 in math, 657 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Clifton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4Metcalf Elementary SchoolMorenci Unified DistrictA
5–8Fairbanks Middle SchoolMorenci Unified DistrictB
9–12Morenci High SchoolMorenci Unified DistrictB

Clifton’s public schools are run by Morenci Unified District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Morenci Unified DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,536 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 11.0 per teacher (AZ 17.2)
$11,765AZ $12,318 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading44%
State average 40.4% · 657 students tested
Math41%
State average 34.8% · 648 students tested

Clifton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Arizona towns that share Clifton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CliftonB+Morenci Unified District

Every school in Clifton

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arizona’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Cliftonby address
Metcalf Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Morenci
A
777 students18:1Rate it →
Fairbanks Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Morenci
B
398 students9:1Rate it →
Morenci High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Morenci
B
361 students7:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (GIFT-Morenci High School).

Questions about Clifton’s schools

Are Clifton’s schools good?

By Arizona’s own tests, yes: the public schools Clifton children attend outscore 72% of Arizona’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #27 of 139 Arizona towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 87%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Clifton in?

Morenci Unified District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,536 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Clifton kids go to high school?

Morenci High School in Morenci, with 361 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Clifton’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Morenci Unified District graduated in four years, against 78% across Arizona.

How much does Clifton spend per student?

$11,765 in Morenci Unified District (FY2024), against $12,318 across Arizona. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Clifton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Clifton → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arizona. Stars are from neighbors.