Best Schools in Clifton, Virginia
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
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.
Centreville High
High · Fairfax County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Union Mill Elementary
Elementary · Fairfax County Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Liberty Middle
Middle · Fairfax County Public Schools. 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 Centreville High (8.0/10), Union Mill Elementary (6.8/10), and Liberty Middle (6.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$870,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$870,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Clifton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centreville High | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Union Mill Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Liberty Middle | 6.7 / 10 |
| 4 | St Andrew the Apostle School | 5.9 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $218,942
- Median home value
- $870,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 75%
- Avg commute
- 34 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 93%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Clifton compares
Virginia rank
#62 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above Virginia avg (6.2)
Median household income
$219k
249% of Virginia median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Clifton, Virginia
Clifton, Virginia is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.8 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 Centreville High with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Clifton is served by 1 school district: Fairfax County Public Schools. These districts collectively serve 180,714 students.
Clifton's community shows 75% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $218,942. The poverty rate in the area is 2.8%.
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 | 908 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.8 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Andrew the Apostle School
Private
187 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.9 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 903 students · 7th–8th | 6.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,487 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 |
Schools in Clifton
Clifton, Virginia · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$218,942
Median Home Value
$870,200
Median Rent
$2,307/mo
Population
14,557
College Educated
75%
Homeownership
93%
Avg Commute
34 min
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Community Profile
Clifton has a median household income of $218,942. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $870,200, with a median rent of $2,307/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Virginia
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Virginia
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, Virginia
How many schools are in Clifton, Virginia?
Clifton has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clifton, Virginia?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clifton is 6.8 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, Virginia?
The top-ranked school in Clifton on MySchoolScout is Centreville High with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clifton, Virginia?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clifton on MySchoolScout is Union Mill Elementary with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Clifton, Virginia?
The top-ranked middle school in Clifton on MySchoolScout is Liberty Middle with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best high school in Clifton, Virginia?
The top-ranked high school in Clifton on MySchoolScout is Centreville High with a composite score of 8.0/10.
How many school districts serve Clifton, Virginia?
Clifton is served by 1 school district: Fairfax County Public Schools.
What is the education level in Clifton, Virginia?
According to Census data, 75% of adults in Clifton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Clifton, Virginia?
The median household income in Clifton is approximately $218,942 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Clifton, Virginia?
Yes, Clifton has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Andrew the Apostle School with a score of 5.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clifton, Virginia?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clifton is 14.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clifton, Virginia?
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, Virginia Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.