For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 10,374 students in Clifton, NJ (there are 17 private schools, serving 2,052 private students). 83% of all K-12 students in Clifton, NJ are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Clifton, NJ are School #16, Classical Academy Charter School Of Clifton and School #9. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Clifton, NJ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the New Jersey public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Clifton have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public school average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Clifton, NJ (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
School #16
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
755 Grove Street
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2420
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2420
Gr: K-5 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Classical Academy Charter School Of Clifton
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1255 Main Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 278-7707
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 278-7707
Gr: 5-8 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
School #9
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
25 Brighton Road
Clifton, NJ 07012
(973) 470-2396
Clifton, NJ 07012
(973) 470-2396
Gr: PK-5 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #44.
School #2
(Math: 48% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1270 Van Houten Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2380
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2380
Gr: K-5 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #55.
School #1
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
158 Park Slope
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2370
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2370
Gr: PK-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #66.
School #3
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
365 Washington Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2390
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2390
Gr: PK-5 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #77.
School #14
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
99 St Andrews Boulevard
Clifton, NJ 07012
(973) 470-2411
Clifton, NJ 07012
(973) 470-2411
Gr: PK-5 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #88.
School #5
(Math: 35% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
136 Valley Road
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2386
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2386
Gr: K-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #99.
School #13
(Math: 42% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
782 Van Houten Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2410
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2410
Gr: K-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
School #15
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
700 Gregory Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2418
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2418
Gr: PK-5 | 282 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
School #8
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
41 Oak Street
Clifton, NJ 07014
(973) 470-2392
Clifton, NJ 07014
(973) 470-2392
Gr: PK-5 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1212.
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1400 Van Houten Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2348
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2348
Gr: 6-8 | 1,255 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1313.
School #11
(Math: 28% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
147 Merselis Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2401
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2401
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1414.
School #17
(Math: 24% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
361 Lexington Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 458-6017
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 458-6017
Gr: PK-5 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1515.
School #12
(Math: 25% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
165 Clifton Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2404
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2404
Gr: PK-5 | 560 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1616.
Christopher Columbus Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
350 Piaget Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2360
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2360
Gr: 6-8 | 1,092 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1717.
School #4
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
194 West Second Street
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2382
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2382
Gr: PK-5 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1818.
Clifton High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
333 Colfax Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2312
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2312
Gr: 9-12 | 3,150 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
39 Allwood Road
Clifton, NJ 07012
(973) 778-0301
Clifton, NJ 07012
(973) 778-0301
Gr: PK | 62 students Minority enrollment: 72%
Clifton, New Jersey Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Garfield Auxiliary Middle School High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
43 Clifton Ave
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 272-7465
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 272-7465
Gr: 6-12 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Clifton, NJ?
The top-ranked public schools in Clifton, NJ include School #16, Classical Academy Charter School Of Clifton and School #9.
How many public schools are located in Clifton?
19 public schools are located in Clifton.
What percentage of students in Clifton go to public school?
83% of all K-12 students in Clifton are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Clifton?
Clifton public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public schools average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Clifton are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Clifton include: Woodrow Wilson Middle School vs. Christopher Columbus Middle School, School #8 vs. School #9, Christopher Columbus Middle School vs. Woodrow Wilson Middle School
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