Clifton High School

Summary:

Clifton High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in Clifton, New Jersey, with a student population of 3,059. The school has faced several challenges, including consistently ranking in the bottom third of New Jersey high schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, and declining graduation and increasing dropout rates compared to the state average.

Clifton High School's academic performance is a significant concern, with proficiency rates on the NJSLA assessments significantly below state averages across all subject areas and grade levels. For example, in 2022-2023, only 34.8% of 9th graders were proficient in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 52.1%, and only 12.4% of students were proficient in Algebra I, compared to 19.2% statewide. The school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching 21.6% in 2021-2022, which is much higher than the state average. Additionally, there are significant achievement gaps between different racial and ethnic subgroups at the school.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Garfield High School, Passaic Valley Regional High School, and schools in the Paterson Public School District, Clifton High School's performance is generally lower, with higher rankings, better test scores, and higher graduation rates. The school's high percentage of students (62.24% in 2022-2023) who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch may be a contributing factor to its lower academic performance.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 333 Colfax Avenue
       Clifton, NJ  07013


(973) 470-2312

District: Clifton Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
321st of 422 New Jersey High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,104 Help


Feeder schools for Clifton High School:

Elementary:    School #1
    School #11
    School #12
    School #13
    More...
Middle:    Christopher Columbus Middle School
    Woodrow Wilson Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.8 Help
Number of students:  3,059

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
63.8%
White:
25.4%
Asian:
5.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  62.2% Help


 See top rated New Jersey high schools

 Compare Clifton High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Clifton High School ranks worse than 76.1% of high schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.69. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Clifton High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (63.8%), White (25.4%), Asian (5.3%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 62.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Clifton High School is 13.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Clifton High School employs 220.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Clifton High School is $12,104.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Clifton High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Clifton High School 321st of 422 New Jersey public high schools. (See Clifton High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Clifton Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Clifton Public School District 440th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Clifton High School?

Rank History for Clifton High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Clifton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 36.93 253rd 343 26.2%
2004 44.08 242nd 348 30.5%
2005 42.21 246th 351 29.9%
2006 35.87 272nd 357 23.8%
2007 35.74 273rd 361 24.4%
2008 28.87 289th 359 19.5%
2009 40.26 266th 370 28.1%
2010 39.29 277th 371 25.3%
2011 35.15 288th 378 23.8%
2012 40.58 284th 388 26.8%
2013 32.06 315th 396 20.5%
2014 42.83 307th 411 25.3%
2015 28.27 297th 406 26.8%
2016 33.93 263rd 409 35.7%
2017 35.87 245th 411 40.4%
2018 36.71 239th 415 42.4%
2019 32.43 265th 416 36.3%
2021 25.23 296th 405 26.9%
2022 22.41 318th 415 23.4%
2023 22.69 321st 422 23.9%
See the entire list of New Jersey High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Clifton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.02 39th 146 73.3%
2019 41.87 62nd 138 55.1%
2021 51.17 32nd 101 68.3%
2022 28.75 100th 137 27.0%
2023 31.98 105th 161 34.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Clifton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.13 265th 355 25.4%
2019 21.64 292nd 349 16.3%
2021 24.80 262nd 333 21.3%
2022 23.23 301st 344 12.5%
2023 28.73 228th 339 32.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Clifton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.39 184th 345 46.7%
2019 39.42 190th 347 45.2%
2021 43.62 166th 326 49.1%
2022 30.64 215th 324 33.6%
2023 31.59 233rd 344 32.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Clifton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.79 281st 403 30.3%
2019 25.45 295th 408 27.7%
2021 25.45 304th 402 24.4%
2022 25.52 296th 414 28.5%
2023 29.52 268th 416 35.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Clifton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.55 255th 405 37.0%
2019 26.82 274th 407 32.7%
2021 27.74 283rd 402 29.6%
2022 20.53 307th 410 25.1%
2023 20.68 312th 414 24.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Clifton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.59 167th 198 15.7%
2019 26.83 157th 191 17.8%
2021 18.07 150th 165 9.1%
2022 17.42 152nd 175 13.1%
2023 13.03 147th 172 14.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Clifton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.39 201st 266 24.4%
2019 27.51 193rd 254 24.0%
2021 65.64 46th 247 81.4%
2022 36.78 149th 256 41.8%
2023 29.07 178th 250 28.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Clifton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.04 213th 368 42.1%
2019 30.26 252nd 364 30.8%
2021 29.74 276th 374 26.2%
2022 24.84 292nd 382 23.6%
2023 24.17 300th 385 22.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Clifton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.73 211th 340 37.9%
2019 26.03 237th 339 30.1%
2021 21.03 285th 336 15.2%
2022 19.97 269th 335 19.7%
2023 21.21 268th 335 20.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Clifton High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Friday, October 12, 2012

Open Quote It is so very diverse. There are many unique and interesting students in this school. You could meet an asian, hispanic, muslim, african american all in one class. Now what kind of school offeres classes with students of all kinds of ethnic backgrounds? Clifton High surely does! Don't pay attention to the low test grades or the bad hspa scores they dont mean anything. In this school individuality is encouraged. So if you want to do antrhing Clifton High would let you. I'm telling you this school really deserves a 5 star rating Close Quote



Enrollment information for Clifton High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 2145 68 48 104 0 n/a n/a 0 2365
1989 1980 27 74 105 0 n/a n/a 0 2186
1990 1911 33 110 139 1 n/a n/a 0 2194
1991 1828 49 106 161 18 n/a n/a 0 2162
1992 1909 43 137 253 2 n/a n/a 0 2344
1993 1880 42 165 272 2 n/a n/a 0 2361
1994 1879 59 181 318 1 n/a n/a 0 2438
1995 1878 61 234 488 0 n/a n/a 0 2661
1996 1878 61 234 488 0 n/a n/a 0 2661
1998 1744 83 241 645 1 n/a n/a 0 2714
1999 1718 90 262 705 1 n/a n/a 0 2776
2000 1730 95 267 789 1 n/a n/a 1 2883
2001 1780 109 261 904 1 n/a n/a 0 3055
2002 1758 99 317 1105 0 n/a n/a 0 3279
2003 1758 99 317 1105 0 n/a n/a 0 3279
2004 1692 111 313 1217 2 n/a n/a 0 3335
2005 1632 114 306 1324 1 n/a n/a 0 3377
2006 1585 121 289 1375 5 n/a n/a 0 3375
2007 1583 138 274 1396 6 n/a n/a 0 3397
2008 1506 146 295 1472 4 n/a n/a 0 3423
2009 1382 159 298 1475 7 0 3 0 3324
2010 1319 148 314 1549 4 0 2 0 3336
2011 1284 163 310 1607 5 0 4 0 3373
2012 1260 136 295 1665 5 0 3 0 3364
2013 1195 153 286 1635 3 0 2 0 3274
2014 1106 154 258 1625 3 0 4 0 3150
2015 1041 156 233 1719 3 0 4 0 3156
2016 1004 154 213 1654 2 1 8 0 3036
2017 955 151 200 1659 5 0 9 0 2979
2018 920 145 182 1620 7 1 8 0 2883
2019 904 142 172 1666 8 1 8 0 2901
2020 852 133 165 1702 13 1 8 0 2874
2021 851 128 161 1727 14 1 9 0 2891
2022 815 131 163 1820 16 0 14 3 2962
2023 778 129 163 1952 19 0 16 2 3059

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Clifton High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 2365 147.0 16.0 n/a
1989 2186 149.0 14.6 n/a
1990 2194 166.0 13.2 3.9
1991 2162 153.0 14.1 4.7
1992 2344 162.0 14.4 8.1
1993 2361 171.0 13.8 9.8
1994 2438 174.5 14.0 12.1
1995 2661 179.8 14.8 16.7
1996 2661 179.8 14.8 16.7
1998 2714 190.7 14.2 17.3
1999 2776 192.7 14.4 16.3
2000 2883 195.7 14.7 28.5
2001 3055 199.3 15.3 19.5
2002 3279 219.5 14.9 21.4
2003 3279 219.5 14.9 21.4
2004 3335 237.0 14.1 10.3
2005 3377 235.0 14.4 n/a
2006 3375 235.0 14.4 14.6
2007 3397 228.6 14.9 20
2008 3423 193.0 17.7 20.4
2009 3324 223.4 13.1 25.2
2010 3336 203.0 16.4 29.6
2011 3373 196.9 17.1 36.6
2012 3364 221.5 15.1 38.2
2013 3274 229.0 14.2 42.6
2014 3150 230.0 13.6 53.6
2015 3156 228.0 13.8 55.8
2016 3036 226.0 13.4 54.9
2017 2979 206.1 14.4 55.5
2018 2883 204.5 14.0 55.6
2019 2901 204.5 14.1 56.1
2020 2874 212.5 13.5 58.1
2021 2891 213.5 13.5 55.6
2022 2962 212.3 13.9 46.6
2023 3059 220.9 13.8 62.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Clifton High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 2365 147.0 16.0 n/a
1989 2186 149.0 14.6 n/a
1990 2194 166.0 13.2 3.9
1991 2162 153.0 14.1 4.7
1992 2344 162.0 14.4 8.1
1993 2361 171.0 13.8 9.8
1994 2438 174.5 14.0 12.1
1995 2661 179.8 14.8 16.7
1996 2661 179.8 14.8 16.7
1998 2714 190.7 14.2 17.3
1999 2776 192.7 14.4 16.3
2000 2883 195.7 14.7 28.5
2001 3055 199.3 15.3 19.5
2002 3279 219.5 14.9 21.4
2003 3279 219.5 14.9 21.4
2004 3335 237.0 14.1 10.3
2005 3377 235.0 14.4 n/a
2006 3375 235.0 14.4 14.6
2007 3397 228.6 14.9 20
2008 3423 193.0 17.7 20.4
2009 3324 223.4 13.1 25.2
2010 3336 203.0 16.4 29.6
2011 3373 196.9 17.1 36.6
2012 3364 221.5 15.1 38.2
2013 3274 229.0 14.2 42.6
2014 3150 230.0 13.6 53.6
2015 3156 228.0 13.8 55.8
2016 3036 226.0 13.4 54.9
2017 2979 206.1 14.4 55.5
2018 2883 204.5 14.0 55.6
2019 2901 204.5 14.1 56.1
2020 2874 212.5 13.5 58.1
2021 2891 213.5 13.5 55.6
2022 2962 212.3 13.9 46.6
2023 3059 220.9 13.8 62.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Clifton High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $05 (0.0%) $12,099 (100.0%) $12,104

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Clifton High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 265th of 416 High schoolsRanks 321st of 422 High schools
 12.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Clifton High School)37.834.8
 3%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Clifton Public School District)37.734.8
 2.9%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)55.952.1
 3.8%
9th Grade Algebra I (Clifton High School)21.912.4
 9.5%
   9th Grade Algebra I (Clifton Public School District)21.912.4
 9.5%
   9th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)27.219.2
 8%
9th Grade Algebra II (Clifton High School)87.559.4
 28.1%
   9th Grade Algebra II (Clifton Public School District)87.559.4
 28.1%
   9th Grade Algebra II (New Jersey)77.665.8
 11.8%
End of Course Algebra I (Clifton High School)19.912.4
 7.5%
   End of Course Algebra I (Clifton Public School District)28.219
 9.2%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%
End of Course Geometry (Clifton High School)19.40
 19.4%
   End of Course Geometry (Clifton Public School District)19.40
 19.4%
   End of Course Geometry (New Jersey)32.244.8
 12.6%
End of Course Algebra II (Clifton High School)79.159.4
 19.7%
   End of Course Algebra II (Clifton Public School District)79.159.4
 19.7%
   End of Course Algebra II (New Jersey)56.361.7
 5.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students29013059
 5.4%
African American142129
 9.2%
American Indian819
 137.5%
Asian172163
 5.2%
Hispanic16661952
 17.2%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White904778
 13.9%
Two or More Races816
 100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients56.1%62.2%
 6.1%


Schools Near Clifton High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Clifton High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 3,059 students attended Clifton High School.

Clifton High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : School #1
Elementary : School #11
Elementary : School #12
Elementary : School #13
Elementary : School #14
Elementary : School #15
Elementary : School #16
Elementary : School #17
Elementary : School #2
Elementary : School #3
Elementary : School #4
Elementary : School #5
Elementary : School #8
Elementary : School #9
Middle : Christopher Columbus Middle School
Middle : Woodrow Wilson Middle School

Clifton High School ranks in the bottom 23.9% of New Jersey high schools.

Students at Clifton High School are 64% Hispanic, 25% White, 5% Asian, 4% African American.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Jersey Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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