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Clifton, ILPhoto: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0
B
Schools in Clifton · Central Community Unit School District 4

Clifton’s public schools outscore 59% of Illinois districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Clifton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Clifton, 20% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Illinois average (26%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all 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
26%
▼ 4 pts vs IL 30%
2020–21
Math proficiency
20%
▼ 6 pts vs IL 26%
2020–21
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs IL 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.9K
▼ 26% vs IL $21.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.6
IL 13.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
919 students on the public path
In brief

Clifton’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2021, 26% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois (the state reports Clifton’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,874 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (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 John L Nash Middle School, then Central High School. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, 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 scoresB Graduation

B: better than 59% of Illinois school districts. Graduation is above the Illinois average; test scores are below it.

Illinois school districts we grade (887)Better than 59%
Lower resultsHigher results
Illinois towns with similar household incomes (1251)Better than 55%
C+B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 498 test results and a graduating class of 69 could put Clifton anywhere from C+ to B+. The tests are from spring 2021, when nearly all of Clifton’s students in the tested grades sat them (495 in math, 501 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
K–4Chebanse Elem Schoolin ChebanseB+
5–8John L Nash Middle SchoolCentral Community Unit School District 4B−
9–12Central High SchoolCentral Community Unit School District 4C

Clifton’s public schools are run by Central Community Unit School District 4, which also serves Ashkum, Ashkum, Chebanse and Chebanse and others. 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.

Central Community Unit School District 4Grades PK–12 · 4 schools · 968 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 12.6 per teacher (IL 13.6)
$15,874IL $21,567 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2020–21

Below the state in reading

Reading26%
State average 29.9% · 501 students tested
Math20%
State average 25.8% · 495 students tested

Clifton vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CliftonBCentral Community Unit School District 4

Every school in Clifton

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

Also serving Cliftonin other towns
Chebanse Elem School
Elementary · Grades K–4 · Chebanse
B+
343 students14:1Rate it →
John L Nash Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
B−
278 students11:1Rate it →
Central High School
High · Grades 9–12
C
298 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Clifton’s schools

Are Clifton’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Illinois: the public schools Clifton children attend outscore 59% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 55%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Clifton in?

Central Community Unit School District 4, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 968 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Clifton kids go to high school?

Central High School, with 298 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Clifton’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Central Community Unit School District 4 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.

How much does Clifton spend per student?

$15,874 in Central Community Unit School District 4 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. 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 (2020–21, 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 Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.