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Average

#1761 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Clifton High School

High School · Clifton Public School District

333 COLFAX AVENUE, Clifton, NJ 07013

Enrollment

3,141

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clifton

#8 of 18

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#304 of 422

In district

#9 of 18

Clifton Public School District

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Clifton High School

Clifton High School serves 3,141 students in grades 9 through 12 as part of New Jersey's public school system. Located at 333 Colfax Avenue in Clifton, this large suburban high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1 with 221 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school faces academic challenges, with current performance showing room for growth in core subjects.

Math proficiency stands at 15% of students meeting grade-level standards, while English Language Arts performance reaches 29% proficiency across grade levels. These results place Clifton High School in the bottom quartile of New Jersey high schools, ranking 2299 out of 2475 statewide. Despite these academic hurdles, the school serves a diverse student body in an established community.

The surrounding 07013 ZIP code reflects a middle-to-upper-middle-class area, with a median household income of $113,991 and median home values around $450,400. Nearly half of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 5.4%. Clifton High School operates in a large suburban setting within Passaic County, serving families in a community that values education and maintains stable economic conditions.

The school's size allows for potentially diverse programming opportunities as it works to improve student outcomes.

What Parents Should Know

Clifton High School is a large school with 3,141 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

While current test scores at Clifton High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29%
Math vs. State Avg-26.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.2 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,880

Clifton High School — Students at Clifton High School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.9%
School
State
55.2%
ELA Proficiency 38.9%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 9 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
28%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
29%
2024
Math
41.2%
ELA
44.6%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Clifton High School Compares

See how Clifton High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
29th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
221 teachers

Location

333 COLFAX AVENUE, Clifton, NJ 07013

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clifton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. School #1 (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is School #3 (rated 7.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Woodrow Wilson Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clifton, see our Clifton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
NEW HOPE SCHOOL Clifton 0.4 mi 6.3
School #2 Clifton 0.4 mi 6.5
School #3 Clifton 0.5 mi 7.0
Woodrow Wilson Middle School Clifton 0.7 mi 6.9
School #13 Clifton 0.8 mi 5.1
School #14 Clifton 1.0 mi 4.7
Christopher Columbus Middle School Clifton 1.0 mi 6.7
Clifton Early Learner Academies - Brighton Clifton 1.1 mi 6.6
School #1 Clifton 1.1 mi 7.1
School #15 Clifton 0.9 mi 4.3
School #4 Clifton 1.3 mi 5.1
THE LEARNING CENTER FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Clifton 1.3 mi
LEARNING CTR-EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Clifton 1.3 mi
TODAYS LEARNING CENTER Clifton 1.3 mi
NJEDDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clifton 1.2 mi 6.2
Classical Academy Charter School of Clifton Clifton 1.2 mi 3.6
THE MAGICAL PALACE OF KNOWLEDGE Clifton 1.2 mi
JIN-A CHILD CARE CENTER Clifton 1.3 mi
BRIGHT START ACADEMY Clifton 1.2 mi
CLIFTON CHEDER, INC. Clifton 1.5 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07013 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$119,291

Median Home Value

$462,700

Median Rent

$1,696/mo

Population

29,419

College Educated

41.4%

Homeownership

73.3%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

46.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Clifton High School has a median household income of $119,291. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $462,700, with a median rent of $1,696/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bloomfield High School Bloomfield, NJ 5.3
Passaic High School No. 12 Passaic, NJ 5.4
Memorial High School West New York, NJ 5.1
East Brunswick High School East Brunswick, NJ 5.7
Old Bridge High School Matawan, NJ 5.8
Perth Amboy High School Perth Amboy, NJ 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clifton High School

What grades does Clifton High School serve?

Clifton High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Clifton High School?

Clifton High School has an enrollment of approximately 3,141 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clifton High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Clifton High School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clifton High School rank in NJ?

Clifton High School is ranked #1761 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Clifton High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clifton High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clifton High School has 28.9% math proficiency and 38.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Clifton High School a charter school?

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

Is Clifton High School a Title I school?

No, Clifton High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clifton High School?

61.3% of students at Clifton High 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
61 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
45 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,434/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Clifton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,141
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
221
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Passaic County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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