Photo: Shannon McGee · CC BY-SA 2.0Clifton’s public schools score below 92% of Tennessee districts on tests and graduation
16% of students in Clifton’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Tennessee average (31%). 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 Tennessee, not nationally.
From Tennessee state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 37% and 31% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee (the state reports Clifton’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,208 per student, against $13,059 across Tennessee (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
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
D: better than 8% of Tennessee school districts. Both inputs trail the Tennessee average; graduation is 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.
Pre-K in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
Kindergarten in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
1st grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
2nd grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
3rd grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
4th grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
5th grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
6th grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
7th grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
8th grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
9th grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
10th grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
11th grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
12th grade in Clifton
Frank Hughes School
Grades PK–12 · 276 students
Clifton’s public schools are run by Wayne County School District, which also serves Collinwood and Waynesboro. 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 Tennessee towns that share Clifton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Clifton | D | Wayne County |
Every school in Clifton
1 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Tennessee’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Clifton’s schools
Are Clifton’s schools good?
On Tennessee’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Clifton children attend score below 92% of Tennessee’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 5%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Clifton in?
Wayne County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,079 students in 8 schools (2024–25).
What is Clifton’s graduation rate?
75–79% of the class of 2023 in Wayne County School District graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee.
How much does Clifton spend per student?
$13,208 in Wayne County School District (FY2024), against $13,059 across Tennessee. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
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 Tennessee. Stars are from neighbors.