Photo: JJBers Public · CC BY-SA 4.0Clifton Park’s public schools outscore 88% of New York districts
On the state math tests, 71% of Clifton Park’s students scored proficient, above the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Clifton Park, 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 York, not nationally.
From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 85% 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 Park’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 68% and math 71% in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $21,150 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
The Sara Marie School (private) and Learning to Know Educational Center (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 Park’s grade
A: better than 88% of New York school districts, #65 of 755 New York towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New York average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Clifton Park, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Clifton Park · depends on your address
Koda Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 765 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Gowana Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 764 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Acadia Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 761 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Clifton Park · depends on your address
Koda Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 765 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Gowana Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 764 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Acadia Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 761 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Clifton Park · depends on your address
Koda Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 765 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Gowana Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 764 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Acadia Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 761 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Clifton Park
Shenendehowa High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,968 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Clifton Park
Shenendehowa High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,968 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Clifton Park
Shenendehowa High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,968 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Clifton Park
Shenendehowa High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,968 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Clifton Park’s public schools are run by Shenendehowa Central School District, which also serves Halfmoon, Malta, Round Lake and Waterford. Parts of Clifton Park (10% and 7% of its land) are served by Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central and Niskayuna Central instead. 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 above the state in reading
Clifton Park vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Clifton Park’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Clifton Park | A | Shenendehowa Central |
| Halfmoon | A− | Mechanicville City PK–12 · Shenendehowa Central K–12 |
| Ballston | B+ | Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central K–12 · Ballston Spa Central K–12 |
| Niskayuna | A− | Niskayuna Central |
| Malta | A− | Ballston Spa Central K–12 · Shenendehowa Central K–12 |
| Colonie | A− | South Colonie Central PK–12 · North Colonie Central K–12 |
| Round Lake | — | Shenendehowa Central |
3 of the 6 neighbors share Shenendehowa Central with Clifton Park, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Clifton Park
14 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New York’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Clifton Park’s schools
Are Clifton Park’s schools good?
By New York’s own tests, yes: the public schools Clifton Park children attend outscore 88% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #65 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 86%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Clifton Park in?
Shenendehowa Central School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 9,348 students in 12 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Clifton Park are served by Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central and Niskayuna Central.
Where do Clifton Park kids go to high school?
Shenendehowa High School, with 2,968 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Clifton Park’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Shenendehowa Central School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Clifton Park spend per student?
$21,150 in Shenendehowa Central School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Clifton Park?
Yes: The Sara Marie School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 83 students) and Learning to Know Educational Center (nonsectarian, grades K, 12 students).
Parents talk
What Clifton Park families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Clifton Park → 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 York. Stars are from neighbors.