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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Clifton Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 10,374 students in Clifton, NJ (there are 15 private schools, serving 2,199 private students). 83% of all K-12 students in Clifton, NJ are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 87%).
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)
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%
Rank: #1818.
Clifton High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
333 Colfax Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013
(973) 470-2312
Gr: 9-12 | 3,150 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
Clifton Early Learner Academies - Allwood
39 Allwood Road
Clifton, NJ 07012
(973) 778-0301
Gr: PK | 62 students Minority enrollment: 72%

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 87%).
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?

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