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Average

#348 of 864 schools in NM

Top 40% in state

Cliff High

High School · SILVER CITY

622 STATE HWY 211, Cliff, NM 88028

Enrollment

101

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

6.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cliff

#2 of 2

public schools

New Mexico high schools

#61 of 193

In district

#5 of 9

SILVER CITY

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Cliff High

Cliff High serves 101 students in grades 7-12 in the small community of Cliff, New Mexico, offering a notably intimate learning environment with a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio and 10 full-time teachers. This regular public school has earned recognition as a solid performer, ranking #138 out of 874 schools statewide and placing in the 84th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. Academically, the school maintains consistent performance across core subjects, with 34% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and Math.

While these scores indicate room for growth, the school's small size allows for personalized attention that can help students develop their potential. The low student-teacher ratio creates opportunities for individualized instruction and strong relationships between educators and students. The school draws from a tight-knit rural community where the median household income is $36,563 and home values average $240,000.

With only 18% of residents holding bachelor's degrees and a remarkably low poverty rate of 1.8%, the area represents a working-class community with economic stability. Cliff High is situated in Grant County's remote rural landscape along State Highway 211, serving families in this small southwestern New Mexico community of just 277 residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 101 students, Cliff High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Cliff High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+8.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,911

Cliff High — Students at Cliff High score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Cliff High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in NM
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

622 STATE HWY 211, Cliff, NM 88028

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cliff High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ALDO LEOPOLD CHARTER (rated 7.1/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Silver City), with a very similar rating. Another option is COBRE HIGH (rated 6.1/10, 30.7 miles away, in nearby Bayard), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SILVER HIGH (rated 4.5/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Silver City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cliff, see our Cliff schools guide .

Nearby Schools

17 within 33.5 mi
School Distance Rating
CLIFF ELEMENTARY Cliff 0.0 mi 9.5
GUADALUPE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Silver City 22.7 mi 4.6
JOSE BARRIOS ELEMENTARY Silver City 23.0 mi 7.4
ALDO LEOPOLD CHARTER Silver City 23.1 mi 7.1
SILVER SCHOLARS ACADEMY Silver City 23.0 mi 7.1
LA PLATA MIDDLE Silver City 23.1 mi 6.7
SIXTH STREET ELEMENTARY Silver City 23.4 mi 6.7
SILVER HIGH Silver City 23.1 mi 4.5
G.W.STOUT ELEMENTARY Silver City 23.2 mi 8.1
CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Silver City 24.0 mi 6.5
HARRISON SCHMITT ELEMENTARY Silver City 24.2 mi 6.3
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Santa Clara 29.5 mi 5.6
COBRE HIGH Bayard 30.7 mi 6.1
BAYARD ELEMENTARY Bayard 31.2 mi 7.6
SNELL MIDDLE Bayard 31.2 mi 5.0
Duncan Elementary Duncan 31.6 mi 8.2
HURLEY ELEMENTARY Hurley 33.5 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 88028 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,167

Median Home Value

$198,400

Population

247

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

89.5%

Poverty Rate

2%

Median Age

64.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cliff High has a median household income of $34,167. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,400. The local poverty rate of 2.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALMA D'ARTE CHARTER Las Cruces, NM 6.8
VISTA NUEVA HIGH Aztec, NM 6.7
MIMBRES VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Deming, NM 6.6
CAREER PREP ALTERNATIVE Shiprock, NM 6.5
ELIDA HIGH Elida, NM 6.4
CIMARRON HIGH Cimarron, NM 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cliff High

What grades does Cliff High serve?

Cliff High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Cliff High?

Cliff High has an enrollment of approximately 101 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cliff High?

The student-teacher ratio at Cliff High is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cliff High rank in NM?

Cliff High is ranked #348 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Cliff High's MySchoolScout rating?

Cliff High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Cliff High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cliff High has 20.7% math proficiency and 43.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cliff High a charter school?

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

Is Cliff High a Title I school?

No, Cliff High is not currently a Title I school.

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

26.7% of students at Cliff High 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
101
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Grant County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SILVER CITY
District Enrollment
2,251
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,057
District Rank
#5 of 9

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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