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Average

#1299 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Christopher Columbus Middle School

Middle School · Clifton Public School District

350 PIAGET AVENUE, Clifton, NJ 07011

Enrollment

1,146

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,299 of 2,466

In Clifton

#13 of 19

public schools

In district

#13 of 18

Clifton Public School District

Equity

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Christopher Columbus Middle School

6.3/10

Middle School in Clifton · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

School #1

6.5/10

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

Njedda Elementary School

6.2/10

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

About Christopher Columbus Middle School

Christopher Columbus Middle School is a public middle school in Clifton, NJ, part of Clifton Public School District. Christopher Columbus Middle School serves approximately 1,146 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. Christopher Columbus Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,299 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Christopher Columbus Middle School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NJ avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+1.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+0.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.8 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,586
Chronic Absenteeism17.9%

Christopher Columbus Middle School — Students at Christopher Columbus Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
34.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 40.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
55.3% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 42 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
44%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
50%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
58%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
28%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
28%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
23%
ELA
31%
2024
Math
40.9%
ELA
36.2%
2025
Math
41.6%
ELA
38.8%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Christopher Columbus Middle School Compares

See how Christopher Columbus Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
47th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
115 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.9%

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

350 PIAGET AVENUE, Clifton, NJ 07011

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Christopher Columbus Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Charles J. Riley/ School 9 (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Paterson), which scores notably higher. Another option is School #4 (rated 7.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, School #12 (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Clifton, see our Clifton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
School #1 Clifton 0.2 mi 6.5
NJEDDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton 0.3 mi 6.2
School #3 Clifton 0.4 mi 6.8
Classical Academy Charter School of Clifton Clifton 0.5 mi 3.8
School #4 Clifton 0.6 mi 7.4
BRIGHT START ACADEMY Clifton 0.6 mi
NJEDDA HIGH SCHOOL Clifton 0.6 mi 6.1
School #11 Clifton 0.7 mi 6.4
School #15 Clifton 0.9 mi 6.9
NEW HOPE SCHOOL Clifton 0.9 mi 6.3
Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology Paterson 1.1 mi 5.9
Clifton High School Clifton 1.0 mi 3.6
Charles J. Riley/ School 9 Paterson 1.1 mi 8.1
School 25 Paterson 1.2 mi 6.2
School #13 Clifton 1.3 mi 6.6
Daniel F. Ryan Elementary School No. 19 Passaic 1.1 mi 5.9
School #12 Clifton 1.0 mi 7.2
Sallie D. Gamble School No. 7 Passaic 1.2 mi 6.9
School #17 Clifton 1.1 mi 5.6
School #2 Clifton 1.2 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07011 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,589

Median Home Value

$403,200

Median Rent

$1,613/mo

Population

38,817

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

45.2%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

39.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Carl W. Goetz Middle School Jackson, NJ 6.3
John Adams Middle School Edison, NJ 6.3
Joseph E. Soehl Middle School Linden, NJ 6.3
Southern Regional Middle School Manahawkin, NJ 6.3
Alder Avenue Middle School Egg Harbor Township, NJ 6.2
Hartford Upper Elementary School Mount Laurel, NJ 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Christopher Columbus Middle School

What grades does Christopher Columbus Middle School serve?

Christopher Columbus Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Christopher Columbus Middle School?

Christopher Columbus Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,146 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Christopher Columbus Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Christopher Columbus Middle School is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Christopher Columbus Middle School rank in NJ?

Christopher Columbus Middle School ranks #1,299 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Christopher Columbus Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Christopher Columbus Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Christopher Columbus Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Christopher Columbus Middle School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Christopher Columbus Middle School a charter school?

No, Christopher Columbus Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Christopher Columbus Middle School a Title I school?

No, Christopher Columbus Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Christopher Columbus Middle School?

73.9% of students at Christopher Columbus Middle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
82 Very Walkable
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,146
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers (FTE)
115
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Passaic County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.9%

District

Clifton Public School District
District Enrollment
11,010
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,586
District Rank
#13 of 18

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