Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438
Best Public Elementary Schools in Clifton, NJ (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Clifton Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public elementary schools serving 7,162 students in Clifton, NJ.
The top-ranked public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the New Jersey public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Clifton have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public elementary school average of 64% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Clifton, NJ (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
School #16
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
755 Grove Street
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:
7/
10
Top 50%
1255 Main Avenue
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:
7/
10
Top 50%
25 Brighton Road
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:
7/
10
Top 50%
1270 Van Houten Avenue
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:
6/
10
Top 50%
158 Park Slope
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:
6/
10
Top 50%
365 Washington Avenue
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:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
99 St Andrews Boulevard
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:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
136 Valley Road
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:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
782 Van Houten Avenue
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:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
700 Gregory Avenue
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:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
41 Oak Street
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:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 Van Houten Avenue
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:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
147 Merselis Avenue
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:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
361 Lexington Avenue
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:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
165 Clifton Avenue
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:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
350 Piaget Avenue
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:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
194 West Second Street
Clifton, NJ 07011
(973) 470-2382
Gr: PK-5 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 68%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Clifton, NJ?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Clifton, NJ include School #16, Classical Academy Charter School Of Clifton and School #9.
How many public elementary schools are located in Clifton?
17 public elementary schools are located in Clifton.
What is the racial composition of students in Clifton?
Clifton public elementary schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public elementary schools average of 64% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Clifton are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (NJ):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 The History of Public Schools in the United States
The History of Public Schools in the United States
Transfer Pathways Between Public School Districts — 2025 Guide
Transfer Pathways Between Public School Districts — 2025 Guide
 Parental Involvement is Key to Student Success
Parental Involvement is Key to Student Success
 A Relevant History of Public Education in the United States
A Relevant History of Public Education in the United States

More Articles

Parenting and Learning Issues
Teaching
About Public Schools
Opinion
Evaluating Public Schools