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Needs Improvement

#2481 of 2,648 schools in NC

Cliffdale Elementary

Elementary School · Cumberland County Schools

6450 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville, NC 28314

Enrollment

649

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,481 of 2,648

In Fayetteville

#62 of 66

public schools

In district

#79 of 84

Cumberland County Schools

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Cliffdale Elementary

3.5/10

Elementary School in Fayetteville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Renaissance Classical Christian Academy

8.5/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Lewis Chapel Middle

4.7/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cliffdale Elementary

Cliffdale Elementary is a public elementary school in Fayetteville, NC, part of Cumberland County Schools. Cliffdale Elementary serves approximately 649 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cliffdale Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,481 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Cliffdale Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.8
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

52% of students at Cliffdale Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-25 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.7 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,118
Chronic Absenteeism51.8%

Cliffdale Elementary — Students at Cliffdale Elementary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 37.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
79%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
28%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
31%
ELA
29%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
39%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
31%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
28.8%
ELA
35.2%
2025
Math
38.7%
ELA
32.7%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Cliffdale Elementary Compares

See how Cliffdale Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
6th percentile in NC
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

6450 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville, NC 28314

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cliffdale Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ponderosa Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is E E Miller Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brentwood Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fayetteville, see our Fayetteville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
RENAISSANCE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fayetteville 0.1 mi 8.5
Lewis Chapel Middle Fayetteville 1.3 mi 4.7
Morganton Road Elementary Fayetteville 1.5 mi 5.1
Seventy-First High Fayetteville 1.5 mi 4.1
Anne Chesnutt Middle Fayetteville 1.3 mi 5.4
Brentwood Elementary Fayetteville 1.6 mi 6.2
BRIGHT YOUNG MINDS UNIVERSITY Fayetteville 1.7 mi
Seventy-First Classical Middle Fayetteville 1.6 mi 8.1
Westover High Fayetteville 1.7 mi 4.8
Westover Middle Fayetteville 1.8 mi 5.1
Loyd E Auman Elementary Fayetteville 1.7 mi 4.9
BIRDS NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Fayetteville 1.8 mi
Ponderosa Elementary Fayetteville 2.0 mi 7.6
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ACADEMY Fayetteville 2.0 mi 6.0
Montclair Elementary Fayetteville 1.9 mi 4.9
Benjamin J Martin Elementary Fayetteville 2.5 mi 4.2
J W Coon Elementary Fayetteville 2.7 mi 6.2
William H Owen Elementary Fayetteville 2.6 mi 5.9
Alger B. Wilkins High School Fayetteville 2.9 mi 4.8
E E Miller Elementary Fayetteville 2.8 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28314 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,036

Median Home Value

$172,000

Median Rent

$1,197/mo

Population

56,200

College Educated

28.4%

Homeownership

46.8%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

31.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia, NC 3.5
Zebulon Elementary Zebulon, NC 3.5
Blue Ridge Elementary Burnsville, NC 3.4
Brier Creek Elementary Raleigh, NC 3.6
Brookside Elementary Gastonia, NC 3.6
Butler Avenue Elementary Clinton, NC 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cliffdale Elementary

What grades does Cliffdale Elementary serve?

Cliffdale Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Cliffdale Elementary?

Cliffdale Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 649 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cliffdale Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cliffdale Elementary is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cliffdale Elementary rank in NC?

Cliffdale Elementary ranks #2,481 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Cliffdale Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cliffdale Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Cliffdale Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cliffdale Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cliffdale Elementary a charter school?

No, Cliffdale Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cliffdale Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cliffdale Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cliffdale Elementary?

98.8% of students at Cliffdale Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
649
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Cumberland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.8%

District

Cumberland County Schools
District Enrollment
49,314
Schools in District
86
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,118
District Rank
#79 of 84

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