Best Public Schools in Clifton, TX

The city of Clifton, Texas, is served by three public schools within the Clifton Independent School District (Isd), which educates 1,001 students across elementary, middle, and high school grades and is ranked in the top third of Texas districts. Clifton Middle stands out as the district's rising star, having jumped from the 61st to the 78th percentile in state rankings over two years to earn a 4-star rating. This school is a true math powerhouse, with 100% of its 8th graders proficient in Algebra I in the 2024-2025 school year—far exceeding state averages—and it consistently outperforms Texas in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math. In contrast, Clifton Elementary shows a stark split: while its 5th graders excel in reading (72.73% proficient vs. 58.47% statewide), only 22.22% of its 3rd graders are proficient in math, a critical weakness that demands attention.

Clifton High School boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate and zero dropouts, with strong performances in Biology (84.06% proficient) and U.S. History (77.03% proficient). However, it struggles with Algebra I, where only 15.15% of students are proficient—a puzzling drop from the prior year and far below the state average of 54.03%, especially given the middle school's strength in the subject. Both the middle and high schools demonstrate a district-wide strength in social studies, significantly outperforming state averages in U.S. History and 8th-grade social studies.

Key metrics reveal interesting dynamics: Clifton Elementary has the highest percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch (66.15%) and the highest student-teacher ratio (13.9:1), while spending the least per student ($10,596). Conversely, Clifton High School spends the most per student ($13,352) but does not hold the top academic rankings, suggesting that spending alone doesn't drive performance. Overall, Clifton offers a mixed picture: a standout middle school in math, a high school excelling in science and history, and an elementary school needing math intervention, all within a district that ranks in the 68th percentile statewide.