Best Schools in Clifton, Colorado
3 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle
Choosing a school in Clifton?
Use this page to compare every school in Clifton by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Mount Garfield Middle School
Middle · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Rocky Mountain Elementary School
Elementary · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Clifton Elementary School
Elementary · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Clifton for 2026 are Mount Garfield Middle School (5.3/10), Rocky Mountain Elementary School (5.2/10), and Clifton Elementary School (2.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
4.5
out of 10
Median Home
$228,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
4.5
out of 10
Median Home
$228,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Clifton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Garfield Middle School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Rocky Mountain Elementary School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Clifton Elementary School | 2.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 4.5/10
- Median household income
- $50,769
- Median home value
- $228,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Clifton compares
Colorado rank
#119 of 125
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.8
below Colorado avg (6.2)
Median household income
$51k
59% of Colorado median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Clifton, Colorado
Clifton, Colorado is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 4.5 out of 10, schools in Clifton show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Clifton is Mount Garfield Middle School with a composite score of 5.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Clifton is served by 1 school district: Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. These districts collectively serve 20,078 students.
Clifton's community shows 11% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $50,769. The poverty rate in the area is 19.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 416 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.2 |
| 2 | 375 students · Pre-K–5th | 2.9 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 562 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
Schools in Clifton
Clifton, Colorado · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$50,769
Median Home Value
$228,000
Median Rent
$1,013/mo
Population
13,454
College Educated
11%
Homeownership
66%
Poverty Rate
19.1%
Community Profile
Clifton has a median household income of $50,769. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,000, with a median rent of $1,013/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Colorado
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Colorado
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Clifton, Colorado
How many schools are in Clifton, Colorado?
Clifton has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clifton, Colorado?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clifton is 4.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Clifton, Colorado?
The top-ranked school in Clifton on MySchoolScout is Mount Garfield Middle School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clifton, Colorado?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clifton on MySchoolScout is Rocky Mountain Elementary School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Clifton, Colorado?
The top-ranked middle school in Clifton on MySchoolScout is Mount Garfield Middle School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
How many school districts serve Clifton, Colorado?
Clifton is served by 1 school district: Mesa County Valley School District No. 51.
What is the education level in Clifton, Colorado?
According to Census data, 11% of adults in Clifton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Clifton, Colorado?
The median household income in Clifton is approximately $50,769 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clifton, Colorado?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clifton is 15.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clifton, Colorado?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Colorado Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.