Average
#1272 of 1,815 schools in CO
Clifton Elementary School
Elementary School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
3276 F ROAD, Clifton, CO 81520
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clifton
#3 of 3
public schools
Colorado elementary schools
#739 of 1,006
In district
#34 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Clifton Elementary School
Clifton Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Clifton, Colorado. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 375 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1 and 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide individualized attention to each child.
Clifton Elementary School is situated in a mid-size suburb and offers a range of academic programs despite its current state ranking of #1655 out of 1831 schools in Colorado, placing it in the 10th percentile. The MySchoolScout rating for the school stands at 2.9 out of 10, reflecting areas where there is room for improvement in student performance and overall academic score of 1.7/10. In recent standardized tests, only 19% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 13% met proficiency standards in Math.
Despite these challenges, Clifton Elementary School continues to focus on the development and growth of its students. The school is dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment that caters to the needs of each student, ensuring they receive the necessary tools to succeed academically and personally. Located in a friendly suburban community, Clifton Elementary School benefits from its close-knit neighborhood atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Clifton Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Clifton Elementary School — Students at Clifton Elementary School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 9 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.
How Clifton Elementary School Compares
See how Clifton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 12.26% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 14.84% (2025).
Location
3276 F ROAD, Clifton, CO 81520
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Clifton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Taylor Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Palisade), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chatfield Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fruitvale Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clifton, see our Clifton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Elementary School Clifton | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Grand Mesa Middle School Grand Junction | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Chatfield Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Central High School Grand Junction | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 2.0 mi | — |
| Mount Garfield Middle School Clifton | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction | 3.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction | 3.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Career Center Preschool Grand Junction | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction | 3.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Independence Academy Grand Junction | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Palisade High School Palisade | 4.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction | 5.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction | 5.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Taylor Elementary School Palisade | 5.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction | 5.3 mi | — |
| R-5 High School Grand Junction | 5.4 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 81520 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,769
Median Home Value
$228,000
Median Rent
$1,013/mo
Population
13,454
College Educated
11.4%
Homeownership
65.6%
Poverty Rate
19.1%
Median Age
35.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Clifton Elementary School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Academy Endeavour Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO | 5.5 |
| Arrowhead Elementary School Aurora, CO | 5.5 |
| Bennett Intermediate School Bennett, CO | 5.5 |
| Dora Moore ECE-8 School Denver, CO | 5.5 |
| Eagleside Elementary School Fountain, CO | 5.5 |
| Elk Creek Elementary New Castle, CO | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Clifton Elementary School
What grades does Clifton Elementary School serve?
Clifton Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Clifton Elementary School?
Clifton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Clifton Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Clifton Elementary School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Clifton Elementary School rank in CO?
Clifton Elementary School is ranked #1272 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Clifton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Clifton Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Clifton Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clifton Elementary School has 13.3% math proficiency and 18.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Clifton Elementary School a charter school?
No, Clifton Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Clifton Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Clifton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clifton Elementary School?
84.3% of students at Clifton Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (681/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 375
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Mesa County
- Phone
- (970) 254-4760
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51- District Enrollment
- 20,078
- Schools in District
- 46
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,834
- District Rank
- #34 of 43
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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