Needs Improvement
#1794 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
2.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
2.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado schools
#1,794 of 1,815
In Clifton
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#43 of 43
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
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Clifton Elementary School
Elementary School in Clifton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rocky Mountain Elementary School
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Grand Mesa Middle School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Clifton Elementary School
Clifton Elementary School is a public elementary school in Clifton, CO, part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Clifton Elementary School serves approximately 375 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Clifton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,794 of 1,815 schools in CO.
Structured state assessment records for Clifton Elementary School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.2
- CO avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
41% of students at Clifton Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 31 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.3/10.
How Clifton Elementary School Compares
See how Clifton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Mesa View Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chatfield Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Grand Junction), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Taylor Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Palisade), 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 | 5.2 |
| Grand Mesa Middle School Grand Junction | 1.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Chatfield Elementary School Grand Junction | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Central High School Grand Junction | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction | 2.0 mi | — |
| Mount Garfield Middle School Clifton | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction | 3.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction | 2.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction | 3.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Career Center Preschool Grand Junction | 3.6 mi | 3.6 |
| LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction | 3.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Independence Academy Grand Junction | 4.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction | 4.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Palisade High School Palisade | 4.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction | 5.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction | 5.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Taylor Elementary School Palisade | 5.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction | 5.3 mi | — |
| R-5 High School Grand Junction | 5.4 mi | 4.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Belmar School of Integrated Arts Lakewood, CO | 3.0 |
| Bennett Ranch Elementary School Peyton, CO | 2.8 |
| Bradford Elementary School Pueblo, CO | 3.0 |
| Deane Elementary School Lakewood, CO | 2.8 |
| Montview Math & Health Sciences Elementary School Aurora, CO | 3.0 |
| Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction, CO | 3.0 |
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 ranks #1,794 of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Clifton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Clifton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Clifton Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Clifton Elementary School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.3%
- Phone
- (970) 254-4760
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
- #43 of 43
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