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
Enrollment
3,141
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Clifton High School — Students at Clifton High School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Clifton High School Compares
See how Clifton High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 29% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (973) 470-2312
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clifton Public School District- District Enrollment
- 11,010
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,586
- District Rank
- #9 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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