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Very Good

#592 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 24% in state

Cliffwood Elementary School

Elementary School · Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District

422 CLIFFWOOD AVENUE, Cliffwood, NJ 07721

Enrollment

369

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#592 of 2,466

In Cliffwood

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#4 of 7

Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Cliffwood Elementary School

7.6/10

Elementary School in Cliffwood · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Matawan-aberdeen Middle School

7.9/10

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

Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary School

6.0/10

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

About Cliffwood Elementary School

Cliffwood Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cliffwood, NJ, part of Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District. Cliffwood Elementary School serves approximately 369 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Cliffwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #592 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Cliffwood Elementary School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.2
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+5.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.3% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-1.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.2 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment6.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,236
Chronic Absenteeism17.1%

Cliffwood Elementary School — Students at Cliffwood Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 48.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 32 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
37.5%
ELA
45%
2025
Math
46.3%
ELA
47.1%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Cliffwood Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
76th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
6.3/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.1%

Location

422 CLIFFWOOD AVENUE, Cliffwood, NJ 07721

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cliffwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ravine Drive Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Matawan), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Keyport Central School (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Keyport), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cambridge Park Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Aberdeen), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cliffwood, see our Cliffwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School Cliffwood 0.3 mi 7.9
Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary School Cliffwood Beach 0.8 mi 6.0
Memorial Elementary School Laurence Harbor 1.1 mi 6.8
Ravine Drive Elementary School Matawan 1.4 mi 8.5
Matawan Regional High School Aberdeen 2.0 mi 6.2
Keyport Central School Keyport 1.8 mi 7.7
Keyport High School Keyport 1.9 mi 4.1
Raritan Valley School Hazlet 2.1 mi 5.4
Strathmore Elementary School Aberdeen 2.5 mi 7.0
Cambridge Park Elementary School Aberdeen 2.6 mi 7.7
Lloyd Road Elementary School Aberdeen 2.6 mi 5.2
Beers Street School Hazlet 2.2 mi 6.2
HOLMDEL PRESCHOOL CENTER Holmdel 2.7 mi
HOME AWAY HOME ACADEMY Aberdeen 3.1 mi
Sycamore Drive Early Childhood Learning Center Hazlet 2.5 mi 4.8
Indian Hill School Holmdel 3.2 mi 7.1
Old Bridge High School Matawan 3.2 mi 4.5
Project Before at Selover School South Amboy 3.2 mi 5.3
Marlboro Memorial Middle School Morganville 3.8 mi 7.3
Memorial School Union Beach 2.9 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07721 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$128,110

Median Home Value

$387,500

Median Rent

$1,945/mo

Population

4,445

College Educated

46.5%

Homeownership

54.6%

Avg Commute

33.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

30.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Apshawa Elementary School West Milford, NJ 7.6
Belleville PS4 Belleville, NJ 7.6
Belleville PS7 Belleville, NJ 7.6
Calvin Coolidge Elementary School Wyckoff, NJ 7.6
Carteret Elementary School Bloomfield, NJ 7.6
Commercial Township School Port Norris, NJ 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cliffwood Elementary School

What grades does Cliffwood Elementary School serve?

Cliffwood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Cliffwood Elementary School?

Cliffwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 369 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cliffwood Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cliffwood Elementary School is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cliffwood Elementary School rank in NJ?

Cliffwood Elementary School ranks #592 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Cliffwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cliffwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Cliffwood Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cliffwood Elementary School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cliffwood Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Cliffwood Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Cliffwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

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

39.8% of students at Cliffwood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
369
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Monmouth County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.1%

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