Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0Clifton’s public schools score below 79% of New Jersey districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Clifton’s districts is 38%, below the New Jersey average (49%). 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 New Jersey, not nationally.
From New Jersey state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.
Clifton’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 49% and 36% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $25,478 per student, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
14 elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Classical Academy Charter School of Clifton, St. Philip Preparatory School (private), Clifton Cheder, Inc. (private), Rainbow Montessori School (private), The Meadow's School (private), Lightbridge Academy (private), Bright Start Academy (private), Bais Yaakov of Clifton (private), Jin-A Child Care Center (private), Njedda Elementary School (private), Mesivta of Clifton (private), Njedda High School (private), New Hope School (private), Learning CTR-Exceptional Children (private), The Learning Center for Exceptional Children (private) and The Magical Palace of Knowledge (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Clifton’s grade
C−: better than 21% of New Jersey school districts, #385 of 465 New Jersey towns. Both inputs trail the New Jersey average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Clifton, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Clifton · depends on your address
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,255 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Christopher Columbus Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,092 students · 9:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Clifton · depends on your address
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,255 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Christopher Columbus Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,092 students · 9:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Clifton · depends on your address
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,255 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Christopher Columbus Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,092 students · 9:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Clifton
Clifton High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,150 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Clifton
Clifton High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,150 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Clifton
Clifton High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,150 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Clifton
Clifton High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,150 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Clifton’s public schools are run by Clifton City School 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.
Well below the state in reading
Clifton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Clifton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Clifton | C− | Clifton City |
| Woodland Park | C+ | Woodland Park Borough PK–8 · Passaic Valley Regional 9–12 |
| Garfield | C+ | Garfield City |
| Passaic | D | Passaic City |
| Montclair | B+ | Montclair Town |
| Little Falls | B+ | Little Falls Township PK–8 · Passaic Valley Regional 9–12 |
| Paterson | D | Paterson City |
| Rutherford | A− | Rutherford Borough |
| Nutley | B+ | Nutley Town |
Every school in Clifton
35 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New Jersey’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Clifton’s schools
Are Clifton’s schools good?
On New Jersey’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Clifton children attend score below 79% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #385 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 18%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Clifton in?
Clifton City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,516 students in 19 schools (2024–25).
Where do Clifton kids go to high school?
Clifton High School, with 3,150 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Clifton’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Clifton City School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.
How much does Clifton spend per student?
$25,478 in Clifton City School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Clifton?
Yes: St. Philip Preparatory School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 332 students), Clifton Cheder, Inc. (religious · all-boys, grades PK–8, 222 students), Rainbow Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 212 students), The Meadow's School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 177 students), Lightbridge Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 152 students), Bright Start Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 114 students), Bais Yaakov of Clifton (religious · all-girls, grades K–7, 96 students), Jin-A Child Care Center (religious, grades PK–K, 90 students), Njedda Elementary School (special education, grades , 89 students), Mesivta of Clifton (religious · all-boys, grades 9–12, 72 students), Njedda High School (special education, grades , 59 students), New Hope School (religious, grades K–8, 55 students), Learning CTR-Exceptional Children (special education, grades , 29 students), The Learning Center for Exceptional Children (special education, grades 2–12, 27 students) and The Magical Palace of Knowledge (nonsectarian, grades K, 6 students). Clifton also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Clifton families are saying about school.
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 New Jersey. Stars are from neighbors.