Best Schools in Clifton Park, New York
13 schools · 9 Elementary · 3 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Clifton Park?
Use this page to compare every school in Clifton Park 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.
Orenda Elementary School
Elementary · Shenendehowa Central School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Karigon Elementary School
Elementary · Shenendehowa Central School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Gowana Middle School
Middle · Shenendehowa Central School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Clifton Park for 2026 are Orenda Elementary School (8.1/10), Karigon Elementary School (8.0/10), and Gowana Middle School (7.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 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
13
11 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$356,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
13
11 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$356,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 8.1/10 despite 17% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 0.5 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Clifton Park schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Clifton Park
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (12 of 13). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orenda Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Karigon Elementary School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Gowana Middle School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Shenendehowa High School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Tesago Elementary School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Skano Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Acadia Middle School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Koda Middle School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Shatekon Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Arongen Elementary School | 7.0 / 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
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $115,681
- Median home value
- $356,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 53%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
83% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Clifton Park compares
New York rank
#102 of 475
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above New York avg (6.2)
Median household income
$116k
124% of New York median
Schools in this city
12
About Schools in Clifton Park, New York
Clifton Park, New York is home to 13 schools, including 11 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Clifton Park perform strongly 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 Park is Orenda Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Clifton Park is served by 1 school district: SHENENDEHOWA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 9,328 students.
Clifton Park's community shows 53% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $115,681. The poverty rate in the area is 3.0%.
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
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 538 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 476 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.0 | ||
| 3 | 397 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 | ||
| 4 | 548 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.5 | ||
| 5 | 550 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 6 | 580 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 | ||
| 7 | 531 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Sara Marie School
Private
34 students · Pre-K–1st | 5.2 | ||
| 2 | 8 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 745 students · 6th–8th | 7.9 |
| 2 | 736 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 3 | 742 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,956 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
Schools in Clifton Park
Clifton Park, New York · 13 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$115,681
Median Home Value
$356,900
Median Rent
$1,419/mo
Population
44,726
College Educated
53%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Community Profile
Clifton Park has a median household income of $115,681. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,900, with a median rent of $1,419/month. The local poverty rate of 3.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New York
- Elementary
- 9
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New York
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 Park, New York
How many schools are in Clifton Park, New York?
Clifton Park has 13 schools, including 11 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clifton Park, New York?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clifton Park is 7.3 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 Park, New York?
The top-ranked school in Clifton Park on MySchoolScout is Orenda Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clifton Park, New York?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clifton Park on MySchoolScout is Orenda Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Clifton Park, New York?
The top-ranked middle school in Clifton Park on MySchoolScout is Gowana Middle School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best high school in Clifton Park, New York?
The top-ranked high school in Clifton Park on MySchoolScout is Shenendehowa High School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Clifton Park, New York?
Clifton Park is served by 1 school district: Shenendehowa Central School District.
What is the education level in Clifton Park, New York?
According to Census data, 53% of adults in Clifton Park have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Clifton Park, New York?
The median household income in Clifton Park is approximately $115,681 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Clifton Park, New York?
Yes, Clifton Park has 2 private schools alongside 11 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Sara Marie School with a score of 5.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clifton Park, New York?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clifton Park is 12.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clifton Park, New York?
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.
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New York State Education Dept., and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.